Hike the Appalachian Trail on a Budget
Hike the Appalachian Trail on a Budget: 6 Ways to Save Money on Your A.T. Adventure
August 13, 2024
Hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is a dream for many people, but the cost of gear, permits, and other expenses can sometimes be a barrier. The good news is that you don’t need to break the bank to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the A.T. Whether you’re planning a short day hike or a more extended adventure, there are plenty of ways to keep your costs down while still enjoying all that the Trail has to offer. In this post, we’ll share some practical tips and resources to help you hike the A.T. on a budget, so you can focus on the experience, not the expenses.
Plan A Day Hike
Thru-hiking is not the only way to experience the A.T. and there are many sections of the Trail that can be done in a day. Not having to camp overnight saves money on buying overnight backpacking gear, food, and other supplies.
Photo by Dylan Hewitt
Rent Gear or Choose Secondhand
If you’re new to the outdoors or looking to up your game, consider renting gear to save money and eliminate the need for storage space for equipment until your next outing. Some public libraries even offer camping and hiking gear to check out! One of the most important pieces of gear for overnight A.T. hikes is a bear canister to safely store food and other smellable items like toiletries.
If you’re looking to save money on buying gear, opting for secondhand, gently-used pieces is a great place to start. REI, Patagonia, and other outdoor retailers often have used gear for sale. Be sure to also check with your local outdoor outfitter to see if they have secondhand gear or rental programs. Sites like Facebook Marketplace and your local sporting/outdoor-focused outlet stores can also be great places to find discounted gear.
Finally, don’t forget to lean on your friends, family, and community. Share your dream of hiking the A.T. with those close to you and see who might have a backpack or trekking poles sitting in a closet that they’d be happy to lend you!
Hike with a Group
Connecting with your local hiking group is not only a great way to make friends, but it can also be a successful strategy to spread out the costs associated with transportation, gear, and food. Connect with your local A.T. Club or find hiking groups on sites like Meetup to get started!
Use Public Transportation or Carpool
There are a few sections of the A.T. accessible via train or bus to help cut down on travel costs. For other trailheads, carpool with friends to split the cost of gas. Bonus: this helps prevent congestion at trailheads and cuts down on your emissions!
Avoid Fees
Choose fee-free days or sections of the A.T. that don’t require fees. Most areas of the A.T. do not require fees or permits, but a few do. Know before you go.
Use the ATC’s Free Information Resources
One way we work toward our mission is to protect the Appalachian Trail is by helping A.T. visitors access the information they need to leave the Trail better than they found it and stay safe on their adventures. All the information is free and open to the public and our Hiker Resources Library is a great place to get started to learn more.
As a nonprofit, the ATC depends on donations from Trail lovers to continue our work. If you find our information and resources helpful, consider paying it forward to the next generation of A.T. visitors who are beginning their adventures.
Discover More
Plan and Prepare
Day Hiking
Ready to begin exploring the Appalachian Trail? Here’s everything you need to know to plan your next (or first) day hike.
Plan and Prepare
Hiker Resource Library
A collection of resources for hikers to stay safe, healthy, and responsible on the Appalachian Trail.
Plan Your Visit
A.T. Communities™
These towns and cities are assets for everyone who uses the A.T., providing food, supplies, recreation, history, volunteer opportunities and so much more.