Dottie Rust
July 2025
For the past decade, Dottie Rust has been a welcoming presence at the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry. An energetic and empathetic volunteer, Dottie’s contributions go far beyond greeting guests – she embodies the spirit of the A.T. with every interaction.
Dottie’s volunteer journey started after she retired from teaching at the Maryland School for the Deaf and wanted to spend her free time making a difference. She noticed an ATC ad seeking volunteers in Harpers Ferry and stopped by the Visitor Center, eager to learn more. Dottie explained that both the excellent training she got from former ATC Information Services Manager Laurie Potteiger and the support she currently receives from Melanie Spencer, Harpers Ferry Visitor Center Supervisor, has contributed to success in her volunteer role.
Dottie’s love of meeting new people also plays a role in her success. As an A.T. section hiker, she enjoyed the opportunity to meet a lot of people and volunteering at the Visitor Center has allowed her to continue to connect with individuals from all over the world.
“Everyone who comes into the Visitor Center, whether they’re a hiker or cyclist or tourist, has a story,” she shared. “Volunteering is not so much sharing your own story, but being available and listening to the stories that other people have. That's been the joy of volunteering for me.”
While Dottie has certainly honed her listening skills over the past 10 years, she also has some impressive stories of her own to share. She completed her section hike of the A.T. after she retired and has explored trails all over the world. She goes on long distance canoeing trips and bikes six miles to volunteer at the Visitor Center, “but only when it’s above 25 degrees.” Both her experience on the A.T. and her adventurous nature allow her to offer thoughtful advice and genuine encouragement to visitors on their own treks.
Dottie values treating every visitor like an individual. Whether she’s snapping milestone photos for thru-hikers, digging through old albums to help someone find a photo from years past, or introducing day hikers to the 14 State Challenge, Dottie always makes time to sincerely ask every visitor, “How can we help you?”
Some of Dottie’s most meaningful moments have come from counseling and encouraging thru-hikers who doubt they can finish their hike – and then hearing that they made it. “It’s satisfying to help people see what they can do,” Dottie said.
Dottie is known for going the extra mile, both literally and figuratively. When COVID-19 and building maintenance projects kept people from entering the Visitor Center, Dottie welcomed visitors outdoors, bundling up in a sleeping bag during the winter months.
Dottie believes that everyone connects with the A.T. in their own way and she enjoys helping people discover that connection for themselves. “Once people begin to feel more intimate with the Trail, they see it differently. And then they want to tell others about it,” she explained.
The relationship people form with the A.T. often motivates them to contribute to the Trail in a way that’s meaningful for them. To those considering giving back to the A.T., Dottie has simple, heartfelt advice. “If the Trail has given you anything, find a way to give something back. You don’t have to volunteer every week – even once a month makes a difference,” she encouraged. “You can donate, do trail work, or help at the Visitor Center.”
“Your heart for the Trail is always needed. Learn what you can do, and you’ll always leave feeling good.”