Plan and Prepare
Prepare for Your 2024 Appalachian Trail Hikes
November 28, 2023
Are you planning a 2024 Appalachian Trail (A.T.) hike? As you prepare to set out on your trek, we have put together helpful information and guides to help you maximize your chances for a safe and successful journey.
Shenandoah National Park has implemented changes and a fee for the park’s backcountry permit. Learn more on the park’s Backcountry Regulations page. Learn more about permits and fees along the A.T. on our permits and regulations page.
Getting Started
Being prepared with backcountry knowledge and skills is more important than any piece of gear. Start here for basic info on essential items, park fees, and important links.
Photo by Tom Reynolds
Leave No Trace
Following Leave No Trace principles helps protect the Trail and preserve the A.T. hiking experience for all visitors (and the animals that call the A.T. home).
Photo by Weda Hathcock
Don’t Feed the Bears
Learn essential tips for storing your food properly on the A.T., which will help keep you, your supplies, and wildlife along the Trail safe.
Campsite Selection
Fact: at least 50% of a thru-hike is spent in camp. Also fact: preparing your camping/sleeping setup is vital for maximizing enjoyment and reducing impacts.
Photo by Parker Michaels-Boyce
Priority #1 – Safety
The A.T. is so well-traveled it can be easy to forget how remote most of the Trail actually is. Make sure you have the equipment and knowledge you need to stay healthy and safe on your hike.
Photo by John Bilbrey
The Final Checklist
Before you step onto the Trail, take one final look at the details you need for your trek. From campfire safety to info on picking up your A.T. hangtag, we’ve got you covered.
Report an Incident
While the Appalachian Trail is a relatively safe place to visit, that does not mean that there are no potential dangers while you are hiking or camping. Look out for each other, and speak up/report any incidents — this will help keep the A.T. as safe as possible for everyone.
Share Your A.T. Adventures
We want to share your awesome photos, videos, and stories with the rest of the Trail community! Share your adventures with us for a chance to be featured on our social media channels, website, newsletters, and more!
And don’t forget: follow us on social media and tag your Instagram, Threads, and X posts with #ATCspotlight to be featured in our weekly newsletter, Trailway News!
Happy Trails in 2024
We hope this information has helped you become even more prepared for your upcoming A.T. adventure! Make sure to bookmark this page so you can come back and reference it at any time. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to us at info@appalachiantrail.org.
Discover More
BY CAITLIN MILLER
11 Easy Ways to Improve Your Leave No Trace Footprint
A collection of simple and seemingly small ways you can practice Leave No Trace and help protect the A.T. experience.
Press Release
ATC Recommends Bear-Resistant Food Storage Containers
This policy comes after a multi-year increase in human-bear encounters at A.T. campsites, many of which were the result of improper food storage by visitors or black bears’ successful circumvention of traditional food storage techniques.
Plan and Prepare
Bear Canister Lending Programs
Learn how you can try out a bear canister during your next backpacking trip in Georgia or Vermont.