BMTA's Quest for the BMT to Be Designated a National Scenic Trail

The Quest

The History

How National Scenic Trail Status Will Benefit the BMT

Our Volunteers

HR 3683 - Bill's Text

How YOU Can Help

Updates

National Scenic Trail Update

Update October 21, 2025

S. 1376

Today, the Benton MacKaye Trail Association celebrated the successful passage of the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025 (S. 1376) out of the Senate Agriculture Committee. This is a critical step towards permanent protection for the 288-mile Benton MacKaye Trail. The bill, sponsored by Senators Raphael Warnock and Thom Tillis (R-NC), and cosponsored by Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Ted Budd (R-NC), passed committee with strong bipartisan support and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

“We are grateful for the leadership from Senators Tillis, Warnock and Budd on advancing legislation to protect the Benton MacKaye Trail and set it on the path to becoming our country’s 12th National Scenic Trail. A National Scenic Trail designation will ensure this trail is protected for future generations and remains a premier recreation destination for hikers while expanding its positive economic impact on nearby communities,” said Bob Cowdrick, President of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. “This is a major step forward for the BMTA and everyone who cherishes the beauty, solitude, and challenge the trail offers. The study will evaluate the trail’s scenic, natural, and recreational value, which tens-of-thousands of hikers already enjoy every year.”

BMTA Press Release 25-10-21 Senator Warnock Press Release 25-10-21

Update September 3, 2025

Senator Jon Ossoff became a co-sponsor of S. 1376.

Update April 9, 2025

H.R. 2768 referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Senator Ted Budd became a co-sponsor. of S. 1376.

Rep. Steve Cohen became a co-sponsor of H.R. 2768.

Rep. Chuck Edwards became a co-sponsor of H.R. 2768.

Rep. Lucy McBath became a co-sponsor of H.R. 2768.

Update April 9, 2025

H.R. 2768

S. 1376

Bipartisan legislation to study the feasibility of the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) to become a National Scenic Trail was reintroduced in Congress by Representatives Chuck Fleischmann, Steve Cohen, Chuck Edwards and Lucy McBath; and Senators Thom Tillis, Raphael Warnock and Ted Budd. The Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025 would direct the U.S. Forest Service to advance the process for formally designating the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) as our country’s 12th National Scenic Trail.

Legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.

We are grateful to Representatives Chuck Fleischmann, Steve Cohen, Chuck Edwards and Lucy McBath; and Senators Thom Tillis, Raphael Warnock and Ted Budd for championing this effort to preserve a trail that means so much to so many.

BMTA Press Release 25-04-09 Rep. Fleischmann’s Press Release 25-04-30

Update July 24, 2024

A hearing before the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands was held July 24, 2024, for H.R. 8403 — a bipartisan bill in the House of Representing calling for a feasibility study of the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) with the goal of designating the BMT a National Scenic Trail.

Testifying before the committee on behalf of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA) was former BMTA President Ken Cissna. The hearing went extremely well and the BMTA Board along with the National Scenic Trail Committee are looking forward to additional progress for our quest.

View Testimony (begins at 32.00)

Testimony Text

Update May 15, 2024

Bipartisan legislation (Senate Bill S. 4352) was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock (Democrat from Georgia) and Thom Tillis (Republican from North Carolina). The bill authorizes a feasibility study of the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) with the goal of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail.

A companion bill, H.R.8403, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Steve Cohen (Democrat from Tennessee), Chuck Fleischmann (Republican from Tennessee), Chuck Edwards (Republican from North Carolina), Scott DesJarlais (Republican from Tennessee), Lucy McBath (Democrat from Marietta) and Nikema Williams (Democrat from Atlanta).

To see Senator Warnock’s Press Release, go to Release.

Update June 13, 2023

Representative Madeleine Dean (Democrat from Pennsylvania) has been added as a co-sponsor.

Update June 9, 2023

Sent to Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Update May 25, 2023

Bipartisan HR 3683 Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Act
Introduced in the House of Representatives
Achieving Our Goal, One Step at a Time in 2023

Representatives Steve Cohen (Democrat from Tennessee), Chuck Fleischmann (Republican from Tennessee), Chuck Edwards (Republican from North Carolina), Scott DesJarlais (Republican from Tennessee), Lucy McBath (Democrat from Georgia) and David Scott (Democrat from Georgia) are co-sponsors of a bipartisan House Bill which, if approved by Congress and signed by the President, will designate the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail.

The bill was introduced in the House May 25, 2023, and was sent to the House Committee on Natural Resources the same day.

Congressman Cohen announced the Introduction of the bipartisan Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail Act in his press release.

The prestigious designation is reserved for trails that epitomize the stunning, natural beauty of America’s wide array of natural landscapes. The trails also offer outstanding recreational opportunities. Only 11 trails have received this honor, including: the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.

Update May 27, 2022

On May 27, 2022, Representative Steve Cohen (Democrat from Tennessee), Representative Jim Cooper (Democrat from Tennessee), Representative Scott DesJarlais (Republican from Tennessee) and Representative Chuck Fleischmann (Republican from Tennessee) introduced House Bill #7884, the “Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail Act”, which, if approved by Congress and signed by the President, will designate the Benton MacKaye Trail a National Scenic Trail!

Congressman Cohen announced the Introduction of House Bill #7884 “Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail Act” in his press release May 27, 2022.

Getting this far is an achievement to celebrate! But we still have a long way to go. The bill that was recently introduced in the House is just the first step of many steps to be taken.

Go to Help to learn how you can help us achieve our goal.

The Quest

The Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA) Board of Directors is seeking Congressional approval for the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) to be designated a National Scenic Trail. To date, only 11 long-distance trails have received the prestigious designation. These trails epitomize the splendor, diversity and historical significance found in the wide array of the American landscape.

With its glorious ridgeline views and the innumerable crossings of mountain streams, the almost 300-mile-long BMT comes by its reputation for beauty honestly. Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the BMT has some of the most varied and abundant wildflowers of any temperate climate forest in the world – and — the variety of tree species is second to none. Whether it’s the creek-side trilliums in the spring, the reddish orange of the fall sugar maples at the higher elevations or the unmatched 360-degree views in the winter, the BMT is a visual treat any time of the year — it truly is an awesome hike!

The History

The BMT is named for visionary forester, Benton MacKaye, who was known for his advocacy for the Appalachian Trail (AT). The route for the BMT closely resembles MacKaye’s proposed southern spur route that would have extended the AT into north-central Georgia. Currently, the southern termini for both trails reside on Springer Mountain in Georgia.

“October of 2021 marked the 100-year anniversary of Benton MacKaye’s treatise, ‘An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning.’ That essay was the initial blueprint for the AT,” said BMTA President Ken Cissna. “I think Benton MacKaye would have been pleased with the trail today,” Cissna continued. “The striking vistas, rushing waterfalls, the iconic Swinging Bridge and the pleasantly secluded forest pathways that wind through six Wilderness Areas as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (which is managed as wilderness), make the Benton MacKaye Trail a perfect candidate for designation as a National Scenic Trail!”

The BMT traverses 82 miles in Georgia and 206 miles in Tennessee/North Carolina. This includes the Chattahoochee-Oconee, Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests as well as 93 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it the longest trail in the Smokies. Also known for its remoteness, a third of the trail lies in Wilderness areas where vehicular access and motorized tools are prohibited. Here, the hiker finds true peace and solitude.

The Benton MacKaye Trail Association was founded in 1980. When the trail crossed the border into Tennessee in 1987, BMTA celebrated the completion of 93 miles of trail. The grand opening for the entire trail was held in 2005. Today, approximately 95% of the route is on public lands managed by either the US Forest Service or the National Park Service. Only 15 miles currently remain on private land or as short road walks.

Our Volunteers

“The BMTA’s all-volunteer work force first constructed and now maintains the BMT,” said Cissna. “In fiscal 2023, BMTA volunteers turned in almost 8,000 hours maintaining the trail.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Zeta, BMTA volunteers removed over 300 blowdowns in just three weeks!”

BMTA’s 855 members are active volunteers in other endeavors as well. They are hike leaders for BMTA’s hikes which are open to the public. At regional festivals and other events, volunteers staff the BMTA Information Tent to educate the public about hiking, camping and a Wilderness experience in the Southern Appalachian Mountains – and — to instill a sound conservation ethic.

How National Scenic Trail Status Will Benefit the Benton MacKaye Trail

The National Scenic Trail designation would enhance BMTA’s ability to preserve the timeless beauty of the trail’s corridor. The status would augment the BMT’s already high value as a popular recreation destination for hikers as well as increase the trail’s positive economic impact on local communities. It also would release additional USFS and NPS resources to help BMTA fulfill our mission to preserve, protect and maintain the trail corridor.

The BMTA needs to eliminate the 15 miles of road walk and/or trail traversing private land – especially in North Georgia – before new development encroaches on these portions of the BMT’s corridor. Having the USFS as one of the overseers of the BMT as a National Scenic Trail may make it easier for BMTA to do just that.

How YOU Can Help in the Quest for National Scenic Trail Status for the Benton MacKaye Trail

Congressman Cohen announced the Introduction of the “Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail Act” in his May 25, 2023, press release.

More work is ahead. The bill that was recently introduced in the House and sent to the House Committee on Natural Resources is just the first step of many steps to be taken.

We need to enlist the support of more representatives for the Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail Act. We also need to garner the support of senators. Our expectation is that, eventually, this bill will be rolled into a larger bill – one that deals with public lands or natural resources.

Our continued success depends on YOU! Please email, or better yet, write to your representatives in the House and Senate to tell them why you believe the BMT should be designated a National Scenic Trail. Ask them for their support in this endeavor!

Thoughts to include in your note to your representative:

Becoming a National Scenic Trail will bring an economic boost to communities near the trail.
Thousands of hikers use the Benton MacKaye Trail every year.
Scenic vistas, spectacular waterfalls and bubbling streams highlight the hikers’ journey as they enjoy the wide array of wildflowers in the spring, the emerald-green forest of summer, the colorful fall leaves or an exquisite winter wonderland.
Hikers and their families will patronize local campgrounds, restaurants, lodging, shuttles, outdoor retailers, etc.
The 855-member Benton MacKaye Trail Association has a 44-year history of maintaining the 288-mile-long Benton MacKaye Trail.
The trail is complete — it has just 15 miles of road walk remaining.
This would be good for the awe-inspiring natural landscapes that encompass the BMT and at the same time, would be a boon to the local economies.
Be sure to include that you are a constituent!

Go to Contact to learn how to contact your Senators & Representative.