A.T. Volunteer Impacts in 2025
Oct 14, 2025
In the 2025 federal fiscal year, 4,429 volunteers contributed 155,258 hours to the Appalachian Trail — the equivalent of 17 years, or 6,469 days, of work! This extraordinary effort represents $5.4 million in volunteer labor.
Most of these hours were contributed by volunteers from Trail Maintaining Clubs, who perform essential maintenance to keep the treadway safe and sustainable. They also build and repair shelters, bridges, and other structures; remove invasive species; inventory natural resources; and help rebuild the Trail following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
From October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, the ATC, Trail Clubs, partners, and thousands of volunteers completed numerous impactful projects. Thank you to everyone who gave their time, skill, and passion to keep the Trail alive for future generations.
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Project Highlights
Hurricane Helene Repairs
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through the southern half of the A.T., inflicting the most severe damage in the Trail’s century-long history. In its aftermath, 430 miles of Trail were closed due to downed trees, washed-out bridges, eroded treadway, and other hazards.
Through an unprecedented, coordinated response, the ATC, A.T. Clubs, and federal and state partners worked tirelessly to manage emergency communications, assess damages, clear trees, mitigate fire risks, advocate for federal support, and mobilize 680+ volunteers from across the country and abroad to begin repairs.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club, Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, Carolina Mountain Club, and Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers for leading much of the Helene cleanup and restoration
Tyler Irving
Pochuck Boardwalk
Volunteers with the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference’s West Jersey Trail Crew completed redecking the iconic mile-long Pochuck Boardwalk in the fall, ensuring this beloved section remains safe and accessible.
Bridge Improvements
In November, the ATC’s Mid-Atlantic Trail Crew and the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club wrapped up a multi-year project replacing the 41-foot bridge north of Scott Farm in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley.
The Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, in partnership with the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District and USFS Bridge Engineer Tyler Beach, completed the Brown Mountain Creek Bridge replacement and relocation.
In Connecticut, the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Connecticut Chapter repaired the Brassie Brook and Carse Brook bridges, helping hikers stay safer and drier. The Club also removed more than 100 downed trees and completed the ATC’s Legacy Restoration Fund trail assessment.
McAfee Knob Pedestrian Bridge
A new pedestrian bridge over Route 311 at McAfee Knob opened in March. The Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club relocated the Trail to connect both sides, installed directional signage, moved a kiosk, repaired the parking area, and decommissioned the old route.
Shelter & Privy Upgrades
From November through May, the Mountain Club of Maryland replaced the roof on the Bishop Darlington Shelter and privy, also modernizing the privy design.
The Maine Appalachian Trail Club continued its annual privy-building program, constructing new moldering privies at the Rainbow Stream, Baldpate, and Hall Mountain campsites. Volunteers also assisted three Ridgerunners and Club staff with cleaning up several generations of old privies at the Horns Pond Campsite.
War Spur Relocation
This summer, the Konnarock Trail Crew and the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club opened the War Spur Trail Relocation in the Mountain Lake Wilderness. The new one-mile section replaces a half-mile of steep, eroding trail with a more sustainable and enjoyable route.
Boundary Maintenance
In August, the Dartmouth Outing Club, Wilderness Volunteers, and the Green Mountain Club hosted a seven-day trip that maintained 79 boundary monuments, cleared and painted six miles of boundary lines, and removed over a mile of abandoned maple sap lines.
In September, the Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter and the American Hiking Society led 10 volunteers on a four-day “Volunteer Vacation,” maintaining 100 monuments and clearing and painting another six miles of boundary lines.
Visitor Support
Volunteers at the ATC’s three visitor centers ensured operations seven days a week, logging 3,721 hours and welcoming 29,464 visitors.
Additionally, Trail Ambassadors and Ridgerunners with local A.T. Clubs engaged visitors at four high-use sites to share Leave No Trace and responsible recreation practices. These volunteers contributed 5,168 hours while interacting with thousands of A.T. visitors.
The ATC Supports Volunteers & Trail Clubs
The ATC connects experienced and aspiring Trail stewards with meaningful ways to give back. In FY25, more than 400 volunteer events—hosted by A.T. Clubs and the ATC—were shared through the Volunteer Engagement Platform and promoted via the monthly Volunteer Opportunities newsletter, generating over 2,060 registrations.
The ATC also supported volunteer development through 47 in-person and online trainings, equipping 625+ volunteers with skills ranging from safe saw operation to advanced trail maintenance techniques.
Volunteer Leadership Meeting (VLM)
This summer, volunteers from 27 A.T. Clubs attended the Volunteer Leadership Meeting (VLM) to strengthen their recruitment and retention strategies and deepen their understanding of cooperative management, visitor use, and other A.T. systems.
Hasan Smith
National Trails Day
To celebrate the ATC’s centennial year, staff joined the volunteer community for National Trails Day, working across every A.T. region and beyond. Fifty-nine staff members participated in projects including bridge building, invasive species removal, boundary maintenance, Hurricane Helene repair, tent pad construction, and visitor center support in Harpers Ferry, WV, and Monson, ME.
Learn More & Start Your Own Adventure
The nature of volunteer work is that it is often not obvious to Trail visitors. Volunteers strive to ensure that the scenic quality of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is maintained so that the Trail experience — not the work that it takes to protect it — leaves a lasting impression. This summary aims to shine a light on this work so that volunteers can be celebrated for the outstanding work they’ve done and to inspire new volunteers to step up to help keep the Trail alive.
Are you inspired by all that A.T. volunteers accomplished this year? Join the dedicated community of volunteers and help the Trail in ways that suit your interests and your schedule.
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