Pennsylvania’s nickname is “Rocksylvania,” but it’s not all rocks. The Appalachian Trail in the state is famous for its rocky terrain, especially on the long, flat ridges north of the Susquehanna River. The southern part of the state offers some of the gentlest, smoothest terrain of the entire A.T., including the Cumberland Valley.
230.0
A.T. Miles in State
27
Shelters
380'–2,080'
Elevation Range
Take a look at these popular day hikes to explore in Pennsylvania
The A.T. in Pennsylvania plays an important role in showcasing America’s heritage and the state’s sweeping landscapes as it passes historic landmarks, land managed for agriculture, hunting, and recreation, and ascends to scenic heights along Kittatinny Ridge, a Globally Important Bird Area.
Passing through land managed by local, state and the National Park Service, the Trail in Pennsylvania showcases unique diversity of its Cooperative Management System, the collaborative model to manage and protect the Trail.
Other highlights are the A.T. Museum in Gardners and the Trail’s mid-point in Pine Grove State Park, home to the half-gallon ice cream challenge.
Christian Jobst
The A.T. passes through game lands managed for hunting, so visitors should take proper safety measures during hunting season. All hunters and non-hunters are required to wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined, or a fluorescent orange hat, from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15 on state game lands in Pennsylvania (much of the A.T. between the Cumberland Valley and Delaware Water Gap, roughly the northern 2/3 of the state).
Hunting Safety
Camping regulations vary considerably throughout the state. For example, fires are not allowed along the A.T. in Michaux State Forest (around the PA/MD state line to just south of Boiling Springs) from March 1 to May 25.
Camping Regulations
The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club manages, maintains and protects the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Georgia with volunteers from its membership and the interested public. The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club promotes the appreciation of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and natural outdoor places through education and recreational activities, with an emphasis on conservation ethics and protection of the forests, their natural resources and wilderness areas.
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Keystone Trails Association is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing, preserving, protecting and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. We represent and advocate the interests and concerns of the Pennsylvania hiking community. Do you hike in PA? Consider joining KTA today!
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The oldest hiking club in Maryland (since 1934) and the premier hiking group in the state. We are a Baltimore-based volunteer organization that is centered on hiking. We support Leave No Trace principles, work on local trails and on the nation’s first National Scenic Trail, the Appalachian Trail. We organize and lead hikes and other outdoor activities, such as camping, seasonal canoe trips and backpacking weekends. We offer seasonal canoe trips and backpacking ventures. We have a year-round schedule with hikes in local parks and paths, in State Parks, National Parks, National Forests, and sites in and around Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware
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CVATC members maintain the seventeen miles of the Appalachian Trail in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The trail was once a road walk that was transformed into the trail we know today. This trail section begins at Center Point Knob (originally the half-way point on the Appalachian Trail) on South Mountain and extends through the Cumberland Valley between Carlisle and Mechanicsburg to the top of Blue Mountain.
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York Hiking Club maintains a 13-mile section of the Appalachian Trail on Blue Mountain and a 7.5 mile section north of Harrisburg, Pa. Learn more and become a member today!
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SATC volunteers contribute at least 2000 hours each year toward the care and preservation of a 20-mile section of the A.T. from PA-225 on Peters Mountain north to Rausch Gap. SATC volunteers also maintain the Peters Mountain shelter, the privy, monitor and protect the Trail corridor, develop management plans for our Trail section, are caretakers for several access parking lots, and maintain the Darlington Trail as well as several side trails to the A.T.
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The club is a member of the Keystone Trails Association, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. We maintain 10.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail, including one backcountry shelter, the Allentown Shelter (north of New Tripoli).
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Club members and other volunteers perform on-going maintenance, clean-ups and repairs on the Appalachian Trail, Shelters, Arboretum, and various other projects throughout the year.
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Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of America’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
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BATONA (BAck TO NAture) is a Philadelphia based hiking club providing hiking and trail maintenance activities in Philadelphia; surrounding counties of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware; and beyond.
Learn MoreThere are 5 communities along the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania that have been recognized by the A.T. Community™ program. These towns are assets for everyone visiting the A.T. and nearby public lands, providing restaurants, supplies, recreation, historic resources, and much more!
Hunter Steele
The inaugural communities will join a new program designed to elevate local leadership, conservation efforts, and economies throughout the A.T. Landscape.
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While the Appalachian Trail is a relatively safe place to visit, that does not mean that there are not potential dangers while you are hiking or camping. If you see something, say something — this will help us keep the A.T. as safe as possible for our visitors.
Incident Reporting
