Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a national scenic trail run by the National Park Service in 14 states.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Multi-Park Loop: Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!
• Visit John Brown's Fort: A visit to John Brown's Fort is more than seeing the building where John Brown and several of his followers barricaded themselves in 1859. The building has a complex history that begins in 1848, continues through to today, and includes four locations in Harpers Ferry and one in Chicago. We invite you to visit this famo
• Visit Jefferson Rock: Hike along the Appalachian Trail in Harpers Ferry, WV to see the view Thomas Jefferson once described as "one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature."

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. In general, the Appalachian Trail is open year-round. The northern terminus at Mount Katahdin in Maine is within Baxter State Park, which may be closed in winter months, depending on weather conditions. Particular sections of the Trail, and less-developed roads accessing the Trail, may be closed temporarily for a number of reasons, but otherwise the trail is open.

Getting there

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.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Harper's Ferry Visitor Center: Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy , a not-for-profit partner, operates a visitor center in Harpers Ferry, WV.
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Damascus Trail Center: Daily, 10:00AM - 5:00PM. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy , a not-for-profit partner, operates a visitor center in Damascus, VA.
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Monson Visitor Center: Closed. The Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center closed for the 2024 season on Monday, October 14. Stay tuned in the new year for information about the 2025 season dates and hours.

Weather

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/

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 165 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Appalachian National Scenic Trail (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.