Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Activities

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  Camping

  You do not need a permit to walk the A.T., but overnight camping permits are required in some areas. There are no fees required to hike the A.T., and generally, no reservations are required or accepted at trail shelters or overnight sites. However, there are fees for vehicle parking in some areas and there are fees at some overnight sites.

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  Climbing

  Limited rock climbing is available on or near the trail.

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  Hiking

  The Appalachian Trail is open to walkers, hikers, and backpackers. Abroad array of hiking opportunities for both the long-distance or day hiker. Services may not be available at many locations along the A.T. Treat all drinking water.

  The Appalachian Trail is closed to motor vehicles and bicycles. It is closed to horses, except in certain limited sections where they are expressly allowed. Dogs are prohibited on the sections of the trail within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC & TN) and Baxter State Park (ME), and must be on a leash on all national park lands and most other trail sections. Dogs are excluded from the zoo section of Bear Mountain State Park in New York.

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  Historic Sites

  Benton MacKaye developed the idea of the Appalachian Trail in 1921 in his article An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning. It called for a network of work camps and communities in the mountains, all linked by a trail that ran from the highest point in New England to the highest point in the South. He envisioned the A.T. as a path interspersed with planned wilderness communities where people could go to renew themselves.

  The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), originally established as the Appalachian Trail Conference in 1925, was set up to coordinate the building of the Trail; as an organization whose mission was to carry out MacKaye's vision for the Trail.

  Judge Arthur Perkins and Myron Avery started work in 1928 to help build the footpath. First completed in 1937, the A.T. fell into disrepair during World War II, when volunteer maintainers were called to serve their country. Parts of the route were lost. Restoration began after the war, and the A.T. was once again declared complete in 1951.

  After years of work on Congress by ATC and its members and with the strong support of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the A.T. became the first complete national scenic trail in October 1968. The National Trails System Act provides for protection, financial assistance, and land acquisition not only for the A.T., but also other yet to be formed national trails.

  Today, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail continues to thrive through a cooperative management network that includes ATC, the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, 31 Trail-maintaining clubs, and numerous state and local partners.

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  Picnicking

  Picnicking along the trail is a great way to enjoy and take in the natural beauty of the famous trail.

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  Winter Sports

  Cross country skiing is permitted along some sections of the trail. Snow-shoeing is another way to utilize the trail in winter months. Tracking also becomes a fun winter activity, as tracks are often easier to see in the snow.