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The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,158-mile (3,480.6 km) footpath along the ridge crests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in the central Maine wilderness to Springer Mountain in a designated wilderness area in north Georgia. The trail traverses Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. Primary use is by weekend or short-term hikers. "Thru-hikers" generally start from the South in early spring and hike the entire length in 5 to 6 months. The Trail is managed by volunteers in 32 local clubs under Appalachian Trail Conference auspices through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. The Trail is the first completed unit of the National Trails System established by Congress and the President on Oct. 2, 1968; initiated by volunteers in October in 1921 and completed by volunteers on Aug. 14, 1937. More than 98% of the Trail is now on public land.
MAILING ADDRESS FOR VISITOR INFORMATION
Appalachian Trail Conference
PO Box 807
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807
Telephone: 304-535-6331
MAILING ADDRESS FOR N.P.S. PROJECT OFFICE
Appalachian National Scenic Trail NPS Project Office
c/o Harpers Ferry Center
P.O.Box 50
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0050
Telephone: 304-535-6278
DIRECTIONS
The Trail has more than 500 access points. Contact the private, nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conference for directions.
VISITOR ACTIVITIES
Short and long-term hiking, backpacking, bird and wildlife watching, and other backcountry recreation. Other activities are available along the Trail in 6 units of the National Park Service, 8 national forests and 60 state parks and forests.
PERMITS, FEES & LIMITATIONS
Permits are not required to walk the Trail, but overnight camping permits are necessary in Shenandoah National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Baxter State Park in Maine. Vehicles and pack animals are prohibited.
ACCESSIBILITY
There are no specific access provisions except at developed park sites, but the Trail has been hiked by the blind,
persons on crutches and other persons with disabilities.
CAMPING & LODGING
Three-sided shelters are provided every 10 to 12 miles (16.1 to 19.3 km). There are numerous camp sites near or
between shelter sites with fees at some mid-Atlantic and Northeast sites. Lodges are in the white Mountains and some other areas. Hostels and other overnight accommodations are in nearby towns. Conference guidebooks describe
accommodations.
FOOD & SUPPIES
Stores are in nearby towns. Long-distance hikers often mail food and resupply packages to post offices.
FIRST AID/HOSPITAL
Medical services are available in larger towns near the Trail.
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