Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner Program
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) created the Ridgerunner program in 1986 to further the stewardship and resource protection efforts of the ATC and its affiliated trail club and agency partners by providing an educational presence on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.).
The ATC and its partners manage Ridgerunner programs in 12 of the 14 Trail states. Ridgerunners are trained seasonal staff with backpacking and outdoor experience who provide guidance on responsible use of the Trail and its surrounding lands. After training in Leave No Trace principles and practices, Wilderness First Aid & CPR, local rules and regulations, and A.T. management, Ridgerunners are assigned specific sections of the Trail that see high numbers of visitors. Ridgerunners traverse varied terrain, hiking and camping in all weather conditions to meet visitors where the need for education is highest.
Ridgerunners collect data daily on visitor numbers, overnight site usage, food storage practices, collected trash volume, and other indicators of visitor trends and resource impact. Some Ridgerunners also complete basic trail and overnight site maintenance such as clearing fallen trees, cutting back brush, and managing composting privies. They also inform local trail clubs of any maintenance needs such as shelter repairs or privy condition.
Become an ATC Ridgerunner
Open ATC Ridgerunner positions will be posted on ATC’s Career Page.
For additional details about positions hired by partner organizations, including dates, and to express interest in multiple positions, please fill out this interest form. Filling out this form also allows the ATC and our partners to contact you as positions open for hiring.
For more information please email ridgerunners@appalachiantrail.org.
State-Specific Information
Each local Ridgerunner program is a collaborative project supported by partners like volunteer trail clubs and federal and state agencies. Hiring for Ridgerunner positions and exact dates of each position vary based on location and can change year to year. The following list will help guide you in the process.
Georgia
A typical season runs from early February-late April (4 positions). These positions are hired by the ATC and open positions can be found on the ATC’s Career Page.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)
A typical season runs from February-June (2 positions) and February-October (1 position). These positions are hired by ATC and open positions can be found on the ATC’s Career Page.
Southwest Virginia
Season lengths vary, but typically start in April. These positions are hired by ATC and open positions can be found on the ATC’s Career Page.
Shenandoah/Northern Virginia/West Virginia/Maryland
A typical season runs from May-October (5 positions). These positions are hired by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
Pennsylvania
A typical season runs from May-September (2-3 positions). These positions are hired by ATC or local Trail Clubs.
New Jersey
A typical season runs from May-September (3 positions). These positions are hired by New Jersey State Parks with support from the ATC.
Massachusetts/Connecticut
A typical season runs from May-October (multiple positions). These positions are hired directly by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). Please contact AMC for information.
Vermont
A typical season runs from June-October (4-5 Ridgerunner and Site-Specific Backcountry Caretaker positions). These positions are hired directly by the Green Mountain Club (GMC). Please contact GMC for details.
New Hampshire
All New Hampshire Ridgerunners are hired directly by our partners. See each partners’ page for more information:
Appalachian Mountain Club: Multiple Ridgerunner and Site-Specific Backcountry Caretaker positions. Varying season lengths, including winter positions.
Randolph Mountain Club: 2 summer site-specific positions, typically May-September.
Dartmouth Outing Club: Seasonal Student Ridgerunner program (open to Dartmouth students only).
Maine
ATC Ridgerunners: A typical season runs from May-October (1 or 2 positions). These positions are hired by ATC and open positions can be found on the ATC’s Career Page.
Maine Appalachian Trail Club Ridgerunners: A typical season runs from May-October (3 positions). Learn more and apply on the MATC’s website.
Support the Ridgerunner Program
Your donation to the ATC directly supports our Ridgerunner program, ensuring that these important seasonal staff members are on the Trail each year.