Things to Know About the Appalachian Trail in 2023
January 20, 2023
Ever since the first section of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) was constructed in 1923, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) has been in a constant state of change. Trail crews and maintainers spend thousands of hours each year improving the footpath, maintaining shelters and campsites, and protecting the surrounding landscape, while scientists work to restore habitats and protect endangered species that live and thrive in the A.T. corridor. The mileage that the Trail covers from Georgia to Maine also changes each year, while the scenery shifts with the seasons and the passing of state lines.
With these constant changes, we are highlighting some of the most important things to know about the A.T. in 2023, as well as ways you can best prepare for your adventures and give back to the Trail this year.
Basic Trail Information
Trail Management
Established in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) leads the effort to protect, maintain and celebrate the A.T. We are part of a unique Cooperative Management System, working with various local, state and federal partners to ensure greater protections for the Trail. Our partners include the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, dozens of state agencies and 30 local Trail Maintaining Clubs.
Mileage
4.1 miles were added to the A.T. in 2023, making the Trail 2,198.4 miles long. The total length of the A.T. typically changes slightly each year due to footpath relocations and more precise measurement techniques.
Preparing for Your 2023 Adventures
Our Hiker Resource Library is a great place to start planning your 2023 adventures. Make this the year you plan a trip to one of the A.T. visitor centers and experience the Trail in a new way.
Visitor Centers
One of the best ways to learn more about the Trail is to visit one of the three ATC visitor centers, where knowledgeable staff and volunteers can help immerse you in A.T. knowledge and help prepare you for any upcoming hikes.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters and Visitor Center (West Virginia)
799 Washington Street
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807
Phone: 304.535.6331
Hours of Operation:
Thursday-Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on major holidays.
Damascus Trail Center (Virginia)
209 West Laurel Ave.
Damascus, VA 24236
Phone: 276.323.3046
Hours of Operation:
Thursday-Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Tuesday-Wednesday and on major holidays.
Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center (Maine)
6 Tenney Hill Rd.
Monson, ME 04464
Email: monsonvisitorcenter@appalachiantrail.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/monsonatvisitorcenter/
Open for the season in early June 2023.
Hit the Trail
Stretching through 14 states, the A.T. is within a day’s drive of over half the United States population! Whether you’re looking for an afternoon stroll or the 2,198.4-mile adventure of a lifetime, there is an A.T. hike available for all ages and experience levels.
Day Hiking & Section Hiking
Day and section hiking are great ways to experience the A.T. or spend time with the family outdoors.
Thru-Hiking
Is 2023 the year you plan to walk the entire A.T.? Maybe you’re just beginning the planning process for a thru-hike that’s still a few years away. Either way, click here for thru-hiking resources to help you take the first step before you even get to the Trail. Consider an alternate thru-hike if you have not finalized your plans yet. Be sure to register your hike at ATCamp.org to help reduce overcrowding and sign up for important Trail alerts.
Other Ways to Enjoy the Trail in 2023
There’s so much more to the A.T. than hiking. In addition to joining a Trail Crew or local Trail work day near you, here are some ideas for more ways to enjoy the Trail in 2023. No matter how you plan to enjoy the A.T. this year, be sure to plan ahead and prepare in order to have a safe and fun trip. If there is an emergency while on the Trail, always call 911 and report incidents.
Trail Running
Whether you’re completely new to running or a seasoned road runner interested in trying out the trails, these tips will help you experience the A.T. in a whole new way.
Help Native Plant Species Thrive
Learn to identify common invasive species on the A.T. and be a hero for native plants. Learn more here.
Birding
Meet some of the A.T.’s frequent fliers here and see how many bird species you can spot on the Trail.
Volunteering
The A.T. requires about 200,000 hours of work each year to help the Trail support over 3 million visitors and thousands of native plant and animal species. Without volunteers giving their time each year, the A.T. simply would not exist. There are many different ways to volunteer, including our boundary monitoring program. Make 2023 the year you give back to the Trail by volunteering. Visit appalachiantrail.org/waystovolunteer to find an opportunity.
2023 Events
There are a variety of ways you can help celebrate and protect the A.T. throughout the coming year. Here are just a few of them:
Flip-Flop Festival
The annual Flip-Flop Festival weekend will be held Saturday, April 22, and the morning of Sunday, April 23. Join the ATC for a series of workshops about Flip-Flop thru-hiking, hiking with your dog, and general Leave No Trace principles while on Trail. Pack shakedowns will be provided by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. If you are starting your Flip-Flop hike, enjoy a send-off pancake breakfast on Sunday.
Appalachian Trail Days
Join the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in the Town of Damascus, Virginia, as we once again celebrate Appalachian Trail Days, the largest A.T.-specific celebration in the world. Open to everyone, Appalachian Trail Days celebrates the hikers attempting to thru-hike the entire A.T. in 2023, as well as those who have successfully traversed the Trail in years past. The event also brings a spotlight to the thousands of A.T. volunteers and supporters who help ensure the Trail is protected and maintained for another year of adventures.
Round Hill-Hillsboro Appalachian Trail Festival
On June 10, 2023, Round Hill will team up with the Town of Hillsboro to host the Round Hill-Hillsboro Appalachian Trail Festival. This festival will celebrate the A.T. and all the Great Outdoors at a new venue: The Gap Stage and Old Stone School in Hillsboro. Festival attendees can listen to hiking experts, enjoy live music, participate in kid-friendly activities, and much more!
A.T. Vista 2023
Join us on Friday, August 4, through Monday, August 7, for the 2023 A.T. Vista Conference! This four-day event will offer hiking, educational, cultural, and historical learning programs, working with Trail Maintaining Clubs, local communities, and nearby partner organizations.
Find Other Events Near You
We are constantly adding new ways to get involved with celebrating and protecting the A.T., from community events to volunteer opportunities.
Stay in the Know
We hope 2023 brings amazing adventures on the A.T.! To hear about upcoming events and ways to experience the Trail all year, sign up for ATC newsletters and follow us on your favorite social media sites.
Give Back to the Trail
Thanks to the support of people who love the A.T., we are able to continue our work each year, protecting, managing, and advocating for the Trail. Your donations to the ATC support our mission and directly contribute to a better Trail experience for everyone year after year. Thank you for your support and the love you express for the Trail. Give a gift to the Trail today!