Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

This legislation mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to undertake a comprehensive study to assess the viability of officially designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail under the National Trails System Act. This directive is an amendment to Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act. The Benton MacKaye Trail is a 287-mile nonmotorized path that winds through scenic forests and mountains in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, including parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and several Wilderness Areas. Congress finds the trail offers diverse recreational opportunities, supports local economies, and is largely maintained on federal land by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to complete this feasibility study within one year of the bill's enactment, consulting with relevant organizations, and then submit the findings to Congress.