Join our Efforts
Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Appalachian Trail, and there are many opportunities for you to give back to the Trail you love so much.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) would not exist without volunteers. As the heart and soul of the Trail, volunteers contribute more than 240,000 hours to preserve and protect the Trail.
These guardians are active in all aspects of Trail-related work, from maintenance of the footpath and its facilities to greeting guests at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) various visitor centers.
Trail Crews
Trail management encompasses the on–the-ground stewardship performed by volunteers and agency partners to maintain the Trail, its structures, and its natural and cultural resources. It includes keeping the footpath clear of natural overgrowth and blowdowns; building and relocating sections of the footpath; building and repairing shelters and other structures; and caring for overnight sites. We coordinate this work, provide training, help set policy parameters, supply funding and other assistance to 31 Trail clubs, and recruit and manage volunteer Trail Crews.
Clubs & Partners
Our 31-Trail Maintaining Clubs are responsible for most of the day-to-day work of keeping the A.T. open. In addition to Trail maintenance, club volunteers build and repair shelters and other structures, monitor and protect the Trail corridor, monitor and manage rare plants and invasive species, develop management plans for their sections, and much, much more.
Volunteer Spotlight
Highlighting the contributions of Appalachian Trail volunteers who work in the field or behind the scenes to protect, manage, and maintain the Trail and provide inspiration and education to others.
About Volunteering
Since the idea of the Trail was created, a community of selfless and otherwise ordinary individuals built it. They’re striving to keep it alive today, and they’re looking for you to join them as the next generation of Trail stewards.
There’s work for people outdoors and inside, for people who love manual labor and those who are excellent organizers. Whether you’ve had years of experience or you’re brand new to volunteering, we look forward to helping you have the experience of a lifetime on the Trail of a lifetime.
Volunteer Recognition
Volunteers are “the soul” of the Appalachian Trail, and we appreciate all of their efforts! These extraordinary people put in approximately 240,000 hours of volunteer work every year in an effort to keep the A.T. open and in good repair and to manage and promote the Trail. Click the buttons below to learn more, or to nominate someone you believe should be recognized.
Learn more about one of our Volunteers
Discover More
By Jennifer Pharr Davis
Scenic Views
Wide-open vistas beyond the footpath offer respite and are essential to the Wild East.
Hiking Tips
What to Know Before You Go
Wide-open views, crisp air and solitude make for a cool hike, but when winter hiking, being prepared is key.
By Marina Ritchie
Wild Skyway
Wherever you are on the Appalachian Trail, birds offer sweet companionship. Yet, as hiker numbers soar, bird populations tumble.