Your Photo Could be the Cover of the 2028 Appalachian Trail Data Book
Love photographing your adventures on the A.T? Your photo could become the face of one of the A.T. hiking community’s most trusted resources: the 2028 Appalachian Trail Data Book.
Submit your best Appalachian Trail image for a chance to be featured on the cover and share your view of the Trail with thousands of hikers.
What is the Appalachian Trail Data Book?
For decades, the Appalachian Trail Data Book has been an essential planning and navigation resource for A.T. hikers.
Created by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Data Book provides:
- Official Appalachian Trail mileage information
- Distances between shelters, road crossings, and key landmarks
- Elevation and location data
- A lightweight, packable format designed for the Trail
The Data Book is best used alongside official Appalachian Trail maps to help hikers plan and navigate their journeys.
Purchase the 2026 A.T. Data Book
Enter the Photo Contest
We’re looking for photographs that capture the beauty, spirit, and diversity of the Trail.
Please submit your photos by Friday, September 18, 2026.
Photo Guidelines
We welcome photos featuring:
- Appalachian Trail landscapes
- Scenic vistas and natural features
- Appalachian Trail shelters
- Trail communities and landmarks like blazes and signs
- Iconic Appalachian Trail locations
- Photos featuring people are welcome, particularly when subjects are shown within the broader landscape rather than close-up portraits.
Technical Requirements
To be eligible, entries must meet the following requirements:
- Vertical (portrait) orientation
- Minimum resolution of 350 dpi at 5.5″ x 7.5″
- 2020 x 2800 pixels or larger
- JPG or TIF format
- Natural lighting preferred
- Minimal or no filters
- Images should not be cropped, color-corrected, manipulated, or heavily edited
- Images should show proper Leave No Trace principles. This means that photos taken close to wildlife, large campfires, improperly stored food, or other harmful activities will not be considered.
- Entrants must be 18 years or older.
How the Winner Is Chosen
After submissions close, ATC staff will review all eligible entries and select 10 outstanding finalist photos that capture the beauty, spirit, and diversity of the Appalachian Trail. Those images will then be shared with our publishing partner, Mountaineers Books, which will narrow the field to three finalists.
The final decision will be in your hands: hikers, photographers, and Trail enthusiasts will be invited to vote for their favorite image, helping determine which photograph appears on the cover of the 2028 Appalachian Trail Data Book.
Be the first to find out when the finalists are revealedGrand Prize
The photographer of the winning photo will receive:
- Your image featured on the cover of the 2028 Appalachian Trail Data Book.
- $250 from Mountaineers Books.
- Recognition across ATC digital channels.
- Featured story about your photograph on the ATC website.
The Appalachian Trail Data Book helps hikers safely experience one of the world’s most beloved long-distance trails. Your photographs help tell the ongoing story of the Trail and the people who love it. Thank you for sharing the Appalachian Trail through your lens!
For more details on the contest, read the official contest rules.
Submit Your Photo
Up to three entries are permitted per photographer. Please submit a separate form for each entry.