The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Kevin Nealon Challenge Dictionaries To Redefine “Take A Hike”

Campaign Encourages Outdoor Engagement, Mental Wellness, and Calls for a Redefinition of “Take a Hike” While Protecting the Appalachian Trail for Future Generations

Washington, D.C. – To help celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has teamed up with comedian and hiking enthusiast Kevin Nealon to change the way we think — and talk — about the phrase “Take a Hike.” Long used as a rude dismissal, the campaign reclaims it as a powerful call to reconnect with nature and raise awareness for the protection of the Appalachian Trail.

At the heart of the campaign is a petition calling on major dictionary publishers, including Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary, to add a modern, positive definition of “Take a Hike”: A friendly invitation to reset, recharge, and reconnect with the outdoors.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is calling on the public to join the movement by signing and sharing the petition, helping shift how we talk about hiking, wellness, and the positive power of being outdoors.

“Look, I’m not saying hiking solves everything,” said Kevin Nealon, known for his Saturday Night Live tenure and YouTube series Hiking with Kevin, “but I’ve never seen anyone come back from the woods angry. Hungry, maybe, but not angry. That’s why I love this campaign, it’s a reminder to reset, breathe, and take a hike.”

The campaign is launching at a time when mental health challenges are increasingly widespread. Recent studies show that nearly half the global population will experience a mental health disorder by age 75, and more than 50% of Americans with a mental illness do not receive treatment (Mental Health America). The “Take a Hike” campaign champions the proven benefits of spending time in nature as a simple, accessible way to support mental and physical well-being.

“For 100 years, the Appalachian Trail has been a place of refuge, discovery, adventure, and connection,” said Sandi Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “Now more than ever, we all can benefit from taking a hike.With this campaign, we’re not just celebrating a century of stewardship, we’re inviting everyone to experience the restorative power of the Trail and help protect it for the next century.”

To learn more or support the campaign, please visit www.takeahikepetition.org.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Stretching more than 2,190 miles and welcoming over four million visitors each year, the Appalachian Trail is the world’s longest hiking-only footpath and a critical wildlife corridor. Since its founding in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is the only nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and management of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its surrounding landscape.

The ATC works to keep the Trail’s natural beauty healthy, resilient, and connected so that everyone can experience its transformative power for generations to come. Together with our supporters, partners, and thousands of dedicated volunteers, we ensure the Trail remains a refuge for reflection, adventure, and healing now and into the future.

Media Contacts:
PR DEPT
Chet Mehta, chet@pr-dept.com
Julia Zlatkin, julie@pr-dept.com

Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Ann Simonelli, asimonelli@appalachiantrail.org