Blackburn Trail Center

09/12/2023

is around the corner on September 23, and the ATC is celebrating public lands along the corridor from Georgia to Maine. Help us care for the Trail by joining a National Public Lands Day volunteer event! 👇

🌲 Carolina Mountain Club Max Patch Workday, Hot Springs, NC
🌲 Trail Skills Workshop, Suches, GA
🌲 Long Distance Trails Crew, Southfields, NY
🌲 Orientation to Caring for the A.T., Hamburg, PA
🌲 Tagg Run Bridge Replacement, Gardners, PA
🌲 Celebrating National Public Lands Day in Pearisburg, VA
🌲 Bonus: National Public Lands Day is a fee-free day at federal recreation sites!

For more information on each event, please visit appalachiantrail.org/waystovolunteer.

📸 Photo by Nancy Comstock shows Jeff Comstock carrying supplies for a new privy at Stoney Brook shelter

08/23/2023

The ATC's annual membership meeting is coming up this Saturday, August 26, at 10:30 a.m. EDT. All attendees are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time for discussion during the meeting. Please send questions to [email protected].

For more information on how to view the meeting, please click here: https://ow.ly/VOje50PCuc2

📸 Jeff "Mad Dog" Pyper

08/12/2023

Our mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

11/26/2022

Trey Adcock, director of American Indian and Indigenous Studies at the University of North Carolina Asheville, explains that land acknowledgment starts by recognizing and respecting that you are on the lands of an Indigenous people.

11/22/2022

A recent report highlights the importance of the Appalachian Trail landscape in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

10/29/2022

10/29/2022

Happy Halloween! And remember to hike prepared😂

10/20/2022

TRAIL AND ROAD CLOSURES:

Effective 10/20/2022, all Katahdin and Traveler Loop Trails will be closed at the trailhead for the season. Many of the trails within the park have sustained major damage during the recent storms, and continued recreation on our alpine peaks poses a significant threat to the fragile environment as hikers navigate flooded and frozen sections of trail.

Additionally, the Roaring Brook road will be closed and gated at the wildlife sanctuary boundary over Beaver Brook. Other Park trails remain open, but hikers should expect many blowdowns and wet conditions.

09/28/2022

The ATC is monitoring the progress of Hurricane Ian and how it might affect the Appalachian Trail.

07/19/2022

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has received a report of an aggressive bear at Jarrard Gap (NOBO mile 26.3), including that the bear took food from a food hang and showed no fear of humans.

06/01/2022

Don't forget: is this Saturday, June 4! Whether you participate in an volunteer opportunity (check out https://appalachiantrail.org/waystovolunteer), find an American Hiking Society activity (https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day), or simply pick up trash while practicing on the , you can make an impact and help forever!

05/19/2022

We are accepting submissions of color transparencies and digital images for the official 2024 ATC calendar until July 15, 2022.

05/17/2022

Damascus Trail Center

04/22/2022

Take the pledge and get a cool sticker in return! Happy 🌎 Day!

We’re giving away stickers to those who pledge to help protect the planet and the on !

Take the pledge at https://tinyurl.com/ATC-Earth-Day!

04/21/2022

Happy ! From all of us at the ATC, our sincere thanks go out to all the Clubs and volunteers for their continuous hard work and dedication to making the a better place for all visitors.

Help us celebrate all of the Trail's volunteers by leaving a shoutout below — make our comment section explode in appreciation for all they do!

04/10/2022

Sun, Apr 24, 9:00 AM EDT:

04/08/2022

Please note: We are not a hostel and we don’t take reservations. There are only campsites available in the public campground for overnight stays and you have to park at Trailhead Parking and carry your gear up. The campground is located halfway up the north blue blaze trail to the A.T. Tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables and a privy are available but you need to carry water up from the center. It does fill up, especially on the weekends. For long distance and thru-hikers coming off the A.T. there is a four bunk hiker cabin and very limited camping adjacent to the center. All are on a first come basis and limited to one night stays. You can send a message if you have further questions.

04/02/2022

Today is the opening day of the 2022 season and it's all thanks to this hardworking group of volunteers! We hope to see you today or tomorrow between 12-4pm.

04/02/2022

Tips for minimizing your impacts while camping regulations on the A.T., including campsite selection and campfire safety.

04/01/2022

03/31/2022

Konnarock is the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's flagship crew program.

03/30/2022

Heads up hikers: Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials plan to close several roads across the park, including Newfound Gap Road (NOBO mile 207.7), in preparation for expected high winds beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 through 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 31. Due to potentially hazardous conditions caused by downed trees and the increased risk of fire danger and spread, the park is advising visitors to avoid hiking during this period, particularly in areas with standing dead trees. The remains open but hikers are encouraged to use extreme caution, avoid making campfires, and take special care when using camp stoves. For more information: https://appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates/great-smoky-mountains-road-closures-high-winds-alert/

03/27/2022

U.S. Forest Service fire crews are responding to a wildfire west of the Appalachian Trail near Fontana Dam.

03/25/2022

Join us to celebrate the beginning of spring in Harpers Ferry—and see off a group of Appalachian Trail flip-flop thru-hikers.

03/21/2022

Every March 21, we celebrate the Appalachian Trail Bill of 1978, a pivotal moment in the history of the A.T. and the ATC.

03/19/2022

Are you visiting soon? Stop by Headquarters from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily to plan your next adventure! We will be offering an outdoor information services table (weather dependent), where visitors can ask questions, receive -related information, and view maps and brochures.

In the event of inclement weather, you can also send questions to [email protected] or call 304.930.5214 x129 to arrange a time to pick up a 2022 hangtag or have your hiker photo taken. Happy Trails!

03/09/2022

Reminder about the meeting tomorrow (March 9, 2022).

Help us plan for the future of Virginia's Triple Crown! We've heard you and understand that there are concerns about overcrowding on the trail near Dragon's Tooth, McAfee K**b, and Tinker Cliffs. We are looking at strategies to address these issues and we want to hear from you.

Please join us for a virtual meeting to learn more about the visitor use process and provide your feedback. Learn more about Virginia's Triple Crown Visitor Use Management Plan through the project storymap and project webpage (see links below).

March 9 at 5:30pm (ET) Join by internet: https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1616663147 Meeting ID: 161 666 3147, Passcode: 466890 (You will need the passcode to enter the meeting)
Or join by phone: 1-646-828-7666 US (New York), Meeting ID: 161 666 3147, Passcode: 466890

March 17, 10:30am (ET) Join by internet: https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1619235175 Meeting ID: 161 923 5175, Passcode: 708055 (You will need the passcode to enter the meeting)
Or join by phone: 1-646-828-7666, Meeting ID: 161 923 5175, Passcode: 708055

Storymap:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e5704ffba30b4f7f8b1f199e59b747fc

Project webpage:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=106762

Image of visitors at McAfee K**b, copyright Suzanne Neal

03/05/2022

Information on the invasive spotted lanternfly, its impact, what the park is doing to manage it, and what visitors can do.

01/14/2022

Beginning Saturday, January 15 through Monday, January 17, the Appalachian Trail is expected to be impacted by a major winter storm.

12/01/2021

The North Carolina Forest Service issued a ban on all open burning, including the use of campfires on the Appalachian Trail.

09/10/2021

The ATC has received multiple reports of COVID-19 infections along the in Maine, including a significant increase in the area around Monson and the 100 Mile Wilderness. We continue to encourage any visitors to practice extreme caution — even if already fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — in order to minimize the risk of contracting this highly infectious virus or potentially spreading it to others. Some of these precautions include:
- Receive one of the available COVID-19 vaccines, which will significantly reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the virus, or of becoming seriously ill in the case of a breakthrough infection.
- Find a location to receive the vaccine by visiting vaccines.gov.
- Wear a mask indoors and whenever social distancing is not possible.
- Do not use A.T. shelters unless required. Instead, use a personal shelter such as a tent or hammock. Prolonged exposure in semi-enclosed settings like A.T. shelters, where crowding can occur, could increase your chances of contracting or spreading COVID-19.
- If you choose to stay in a hostel or hotel, select a private room and wear a mask when around others.
- Wash your hands frequently with biodegradable soap at least 200 feet from water sources. When soap is not available, use hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol.
- Avoid sharing food. Do not eat out of the same food bag, share utensils, or drink from other hikers’ water bottles.
- Avoid large groups when possible, even outdoors, particularly when physical distancing cannot be maintained. This is especially important for those who have not been fully vaccinated.
- If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, quarantine away from others immediately and contact a health professional to get tested and discuss next steps (find a testing site at https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html). If you suspect you contracted COVID-19 while on the A.T., please report it using the form at https://appalachiantrail.org/report-covid-19.

For more information on COVID-19 safety on the A.T., visit appalachiantrail.org/covid-19.

08/31/2021

The National Hurricane Center has issued a public advisory for Tropical Depression Ida, which is predicted to cause heavy rain along the and surrounding areas. Some portions of the Trail may experience flash flooding and downed trees. hikers are encouraged to monitor weather sites and make adjustments to their plans as needed. For the latest Trail updates, visit https://appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates/

08/25/2021

Submit your application by August 31, 2021 to be considered for the Next Generation Advisory Council (NextGen)! NextGen encourages young leaders (ages 18-30) to become more involved in the management and stewardship of the . Visit appalachiantrail.org/nextgen2021-22 for more information.

08/20/2021

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for parts of New England in anticipation of Tropical Storm Henri making landfall on the northeastern U.S. coast on Sunday. This system could cause significant rainfall and strong winds. hikers are encouraged to use extreme caution and make adjustments as more information and updates become available. Be sure to monitor weather sites such as the NOAA National Hurricane Center for updates and alerts: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

Photo by Luis Perrone Fotography

08/18/2021

Opportunity for input.

Shenandoah National Park is seeking feedback* on proposed fee increases to be implemented over the next two years. This proposal does not include an increase in entrance fees and focuses only on specific user fees.

PLEASE NOTE: to have your input considered, you must comment on the website link provided below. We are unable to capture comments from Facebook in the feedback process.

There are three user fees under consideration in the proposal:

1. Increase the campground nightly fee to $30 at all four campgrounds from the current $15/$20 charge. Fees for group campsites, which accommodate up to 25 people at some locations, are also proposed to increase to $75. The increased fees will provide needed revenue to maintain and improve campgrounds.

2. Implement a fee-based online registration system for backcountry permits that allows the Park to track and understand backcountry use in a way that better protects the resource and provides an improved visitor experience. A fee ranging from $20 to $30 is likely to depend on the number of backcountry nights for each permit.

3. Establish a pilot project for Old Rag Mountain visitor access through a new ticketing system online. The new system will require Old Rag users to get daily reservations in advance to help manage visitor use. There will be a minimal procession fee of $1 to $2 during the pilot.

The money collected at entrance stations, campgrounds, and through other user fees supports a great deal of work that would not otherwise be possible. Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, 80% of all fees are retained and utilized to improve Shenandoah for visitors. Over the past few years, these fee dollars have been used at Shenandoah to make improvements such as:

Rehabilitation and maintenance of campgrounds, Skyline Drive, and park trails are supported by fees. Recreational improvements include: new picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food storage lockers. Rehabilitation projects include: restrooms at Big Meadows Campground and the accessible Limberlost Trail. Maintenance on trails include: 200-220 miles of trails completed. Construction projects include: Old Rag parking lot completed in 2019.

To create a more valuable visitor experience, many services are supported by fees: publishing park brochures and newspapers, visitor center staff, and sanitation staff maintaining restrooms in campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers.

More information about this proposal can be found on our website: https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/news/shenandoah-national-park-seeks-feedback-on-proposed-user-fees-increase.htm

*In order for your comments to be considered, they must be submitted on PEPC (comments may be made anonymously): https://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsOpenForReview.cfm?projectID=103975&parkID=274

08/17/2021

For those on the from Georgia to Virginia, please be aware that heavy wind and rain from Tropical Depression Fred could lead to flash flooding of creeks and river crossings, as well as potential mudslides and downed trees, over the next few days. Monitor weather sites such as the NOAA National Hurricane Center for updates and alerts: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

07/29/2021

The National Park Service Appalachian National Scenic Trail Office, in consultation with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and regional Trail Maintaining Clubs, has officially closed six wells along the Appalachian Trail.

07/22/2021

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge (NOBO mile 1,350.5) is conducting mosquito control measures related to the Jamestown Canyon virus.

07/19/2021

If you see something, say something — reporting dangerous conditions or suspicious behavior will help us keep the A.T. as safe as possible.

07/01/2021

Max Patch camping, more prohibited as heavy use, impacts mount