Prepare for Your 2025 Appalachian Trail Hikes
Nov 2, 2024
Are you planning a 2025 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.
In late September, 2024, Hurricane Helene brought severe damage to areas of the A.T. in North Carolina, Tennessee, and southwest Virginia. Some Trail sections are still closed. The most important things that 2025 A.T. hikers will need to pack are flexibility, patience, and good judgment. Learn more on our Helene resources page and in our 2025 Hiking & Helene blog post.
Shenandoah National Park implemented changes and a fee for the park’s backcountry permit in 2024. 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.
Interested in primarily day hikes or shorter trips on the Trail?
Check out our Day Hiking resources, including how to find great day hikes, and our Hiker Resource Library.
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.
Tom Reynolds
Hiking & Helene
2025 A.T. hikers will need to pack flexibility, patience, and good judgment. Learn how Helene has impacted the southern A.T. and about how to stay safe in areas with storm damage.
Tyler Irving
Day Hiking
Most A.T. visitors aren’t long distance backpackers and are instead out for the day, enjoying an iconic spot on the Trail or their local vista. Check out our Day Hiking pages for information about finding great day hikes on the A.T. and how to prepare.
Katlyn Kelly
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).
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.
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.
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.
Submit a Report A.T. Safety Tips
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!
Submit Stories and Photo Follow Us
Happy Trails in 2025
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.
