Human-habituated bears have been frequently spotted in the McAfee Knob Area. Allowing bears access to human food or garbage causes it to lose its fear of humans. Follow all food storage regulations, use provided food lockers and never feed a bear.
Full details →+1 more active alerts
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Connecticut · Georgia · Massachusetts · Maryland · Maine · North Carolina · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · Pennsylvania · Tennessee · Virginia · Vermont · West Virginia
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.
About Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a national scenic trail located in Connecticut and Georgia and Massachusetts and Maryland and Maine and North Carolina and New Hampshire and New Jersey and New York and Pennsylvania and Tennessee and Virginia and Vermont and West Virginia. It is your responsibility to be prepared for all weather conditions, including extreme and unexpected weather changes year-round. As the trail runs from Georgia to Maine there will be different weather conditions depending on your location. For weather along specific sections of the trail and at specific shelters, please refer to: http://www.atweather.org/
There are many points of access along the Appalachian Trail, whether it is by car, train, bus or plane. For more detailed directions, please refer to the "Directions" section of our park webpage.
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
Entry to Appalachian is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.
🥾 Things to Do
Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Astronomy, Stargazing, Camping, Backcountry Camping, and 14 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at Appalachian
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Appalachian
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Appalachian before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 2 active alerts for Appalachian. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Appalachian get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
- →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Appalachian. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Appalachian
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
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