The New Jersey Trails Program was established with the passage of the New Jersey Trails System Act in 1974, laying the groundwork for a network of trails that provide for outdoor recreation and active transportation, and which connect people with their community, with their favorite places, and with each other. The act charged the Department of Environmental Protection with the task of establishing a trails plan. The first Trails Plan was created in 1982, updated in 1996 and again in 2009.

With the establishment of the National Recreational Trails Fund Act in 1993, the New Jersey Trails Program administers federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants to develop, maintain and restore trails and trail-related facilities.

The New Jersey Trails Council consists of citizens who represent different types of trail user groups, representatives from conservation and recreation organizations, and representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Department of Transportation. The Council is instrumental in the formulation, review and implementation of the Trails Plan, as well as making funding recommendations to the Commissioner regarding RTP applications. The Trails Council consists of citizens with interests in different types of trail use, representatives from conservation or recreation organizations and other state agencies.

In addition, the New Jersey Trails Program coordinates Trail planning efforts within the State of New Jersey, in collaboration with other State agencies, conservation and recreation groups, and trail planners.  These statewide trail planning efforts include the State’s public trails geodatabase, the New Jersey Trails and Greenways Summit, and National Trails Day events throughout the State.