2026 Northbound A.T. Hiker Stats & Facts
Jun 25, 2026
Northbound (NOBO) thru-hiking season is well underway on the Appalachian Trail, which means we have preliminary data to share about this year’s northbound thru-hiking hopefuls.
How We Collect NOBO Data
Many NOBOs and some flip-flop and section hikers register at the Amicalola Falls State Park visitor center during A.T. Basecamp, presented by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC) from February 15 to April 15. Since 2024, the hikers who begin their thru-hike attempts at Basecamp register their hikes digitally, which makes it easier to gather and share data trends.
What is Appalachian Trail Basecamp?
Basecamp is open every year at Amicalola Falls State Park to help NOBO hikers Start Smart on their journeys. During Basecamp, hikers register their hikes via ATCamp.org, pick up their hangtags, have their packs weighed, and attend a Start Smart presentation to brush up on Leave No Trace principles before starting their treks.
2026 Basecamp Hiker Facts
Hikers From All 50 States and Beyond
Of the 2,049 people who registered in person, over 95.4% of thru-hikers are U.S. residents, with the top five states represented being Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas. This year, all 50 states were represented, with at least one hiker coming from each state. The state with the lowest number of registered hikers was North Dakota, with a single NOBO hiker.
As the data supports, the A.T. is a world-renowned hiking destination and welcomes hikers from all over the globe. The international A.T. visitors registered during this year’s Basecamp made up 4.6% of registered hikers and hailed from 19 countries, with over half of this year’s international hikers identifying as Canadian, German, or British.
Pack Weight by the Numbers
1,422 thru-hikers had their packs weighed at Basecamp before starting their journeys. The average pack weight was 30.5 lbs., which is roughly equivalent to carrying a medium-sized bag of dog food or a car tire on your back.
More 2026 Thru-Hiking Information
No matter where you call home, how much your pack weighs, or even if your goal is a day hike in the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, A.T. Basecamp offers the latest information on the Trail each spring and is free and open to everyone. We’re grateful to our Basecamp Coordinator, Tonya, the GATC and its volunteers, and to the State Park staff for hosting this wonderful resource to the A.T. community.
2026 thru-hikers can still pick up their hangtags at any ATC Visitor Center, which includes the Damascus Trail Center in Virginia, the ATC’s Headquarters and Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and the Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center in Maine.
