Hurricane Helene left behind tremendous destruction in the southern Appalachian Trail (A.T.) landscape and surrounding communities in Fall 2024. This page gathers the latest resources and information for A.T. visitors, partners, and supporters. The ATC is committed to providing support to our A.T. Communities and to rehabilitating the Trail and landscape—no matter how long it takes.
Current A.T. Conditions
Last updated December 09, 2025: A detour is now in place to route A.T. hikers around heavy construction along the Virginia Creeper Trail, just outside of Damascus. The Creeper Trail was also severely damaged during the storm. Several other detours are still in place. Visit the link below for more details.
Trail Conditions & Detour Details
If there is a discrepancy between the map and our Trail Alert, the alert should be considered correct.
2026 Hikers
Learn about how to prepare to hike storm-damaged sections of the A.T. and what detours are still in place.
Info for 2026 HikersFor Volunteers and Clubs
We are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support and offers from individuals. Clubs, ATC staff, and partners are still hard at work repairing the A.T.
New Volunteers
We are always thrilled to welcome new A.T. volunteers! Helene-related work trips (and other upcoming A.T. volunteer opportunities) are posted on our website. You can stay informed about both current and future volunteer opportunities to rebuild and repair the A.T. by signing up below for our volunteer opportunities newsletter.
Please find an opportunity on our website or volunteer with organized recovery/Trail repair efforts through local A.T. Clubs. Showing up without a plan or trying to volunteer on your own can slow down work and skip important safety practices. It’s also important for future project funding that damage and repairs are properly documented.
Find a Volunteer Opportunity Volunteer Opportunities Newsletter
Current Volunteers
A.T. volunteers have once again demonstrated their incredible dedication to the Trail and A.T. community in response to Helene. Thank you to Club members outside the impacted areas who have helped over the last year!
Local Clubs and the ATC are still recruiting volunteers to assist with repair and recovery work, with a special need for certified chainsaw and crosscut sawyers. Check our website for current volunteer opportunities or connect with your ATC staff contact or your Club RPC representative for more information. You can also email volunteer@appalachiantrail.org.
Find a Volunteer OpportunityFor A.T. Communities & Supporting Local Recovery
The 56 unique Appalachian Trail Communities from Georgia to Maine share a special bond and connection to the Appalachian Trail. The devastating destruction from Hurricane Helene in the southeast impacted numerous communities and disrupted the fabric of the A.T. family in unimaginable ways.
Many Trail communities that were impacted by the storm are still recovering. Patronizing local businesses will help recovery. Show your support to these communities by planning a trip. Be sure to check with individual communities and businesses ahead of time.
- Hot Springs, NC – visit Hot Springs Recovery Hub for more info on the town’s status. Hot Springs Tourism also has updated info about the status of hiker services.
- Erwin, TN
- Elk Park, NC – the nearby town of Banner Elk, NC has information about recovery resources.
- Roan Mountain, TN
- Hampton, TN
- Shady Valley, TN
- Damascus, VA – visit the town’s Helene Updates page.
A.T. hikers should patronize local businesses when possible. Some suggestions:
- Purchase gear from local outfitters
- Get your resupply from locally owned stores and grocers
- Stay in local hostels, hotels, and inns, and plan zero days for open, impacted town
- Attend local events and festivals
- Use local shuttle drivers vs. hitchhiking or yogi-ing a ride
- Volunteer with organized recovery efforts. However, it is important to plan and sign-up ahead of time. Showing up without a plan or trying to volunteer on your own can slow down recovery and miss important safety practices.
For ATC Members & How to Donate
The outpouring of support from the ATC community has been incredible, and it speaks to the resilience and generosity that define this group. Over 1,000 individuals rallied and donated to the Appalachian Trail Resiliency Fund, raising more than $850,000 for Helene recovery efforts.
A list of local and national organizations working on long-term recovery in the areas impacted by Helene is available via Appalachian Voices.
“One Year Later: Recovery and Resilience After Hurricane Helene”
Learn more about how the Appalachian Trail is rebuilding stronger.
Read More
About the A.T. Cooperative Management System
As the only non-profit devoted exclusively to the entirety of the Trail and its landscape, the ATC serves as liaison and unifying entity between the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, State land managers, and the 30 Clubs that maintain the A.T. on the ground.
When emergencies occur, we work closely with these partners and volunteers to share critical communication between responding parties to inform recovery efforts across the Trail and to relay important messages and alerts to visitors about current Trail conditions.
Learn More
Stay Informed
You can help support future efforts to rebuild and repair the A.T.
