Reps. Thompson, Huffman, Senator Schiff, Bay Area Members Introduce Bill to Designate National Scenic Trail

Napa, CA – Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) joined Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and every member of the Bay Area delegation to introduce legislation to help designate the 550+ mile Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail. This designation would enhance the trail’s visibility as a world-class recreation opportunity and attract new visitors, in addition to helping connect the different routes within the trail.

“The Bay Area Ridge Trail provides over 400 miles of public trails and counting, opening our beautiful outdoors to walkers, hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders,” said Thompson. “The beauty and ecological diversity of the San Francisco Bay ridge is unparalleled anywhere else in our country and I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this critical first step toward designating the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail.”

“The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a crown jewel of our region, providing millions of people with access to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the country and connecting our communities to the outdoors,” said Huffman. “Designating it as a National Scenic Trail would not only help complete it – it would set it on par with iconic trails like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest and elevate the incredible and diverse Bay Area landscapes. This would be a major boost for the recreation economy, and our bill gets that ball rolling.”

“The Bay Area Ridge Trail gives visitors to the Bay Area and its residents the opportunity to enjoy more than 500 miles of some of California's most incredible outdoor beauty, including parks and preserves. Providing federal recognition to this ridgeline trail will help preserve it for future generations, and I'm proud to partner with Congressman Huffman and our Bay Area delegation in the effort to make it so,” said Schiff. 

“This legislation kicks off a quest to add the Bay Area Ridge Trail to an elite group of National Scenic Trails, like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail. The Ridge Trail traces the ridgelines around San Francisco Bay, offering hikers, equestrians, and cyclists access to stunning views and diverse scenic, historic and cultural landscapes, for both close-to-home jaunts and epic adventures,” said Janet McBride, Executive Director, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. “NST status would raise awareness and expedite completion of this world-class trail, which boasts over 400 completed miles, on the path to a 550-mile fully connected loop. We applaud Congressman Huffman for spearheading this legislation, and the entire Bay Area delegation for signing on as co-authors. We invite everyone to join us on this journey!” 

The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a scenic multi-use trail stretching 550 miles along the natural features that surround the San Francisco Bay. With over 415 miles already complete, the trail connects more than 75 parks and open spaces and provides recreational opportunities for hikers, cyclists, tourists, and more across nine Bay Area counties. This bill directs the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study on making this designation, which is currently held by only 11 trails across the country.

The legislation requires the National Park Service to complete the feasibility study within one year, in consultation with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and relevant federal and state agencies. The trail meets all the required criteria established in the National Trails System Act of 1968 for National Scenic Trail designation, including:

• Extended trail route of more than 100 miles
• Provides maximum outdoor recreation potential
• Provides for enjoyment of nationally significant scenic, historic, and cultural qualities
• Represents desert, marsh, grassland, mountain, canyon, river, and forest
• Represents landforms that exhibit significant regional geographic characteristics
• Connects with side trails, which provide additional public access

Full text of this legislation can be found here.