Trail Crews

Join a volunteer Trail crew and spend a week or more helping to build and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, America's premier long-distance footpath. No previous trail experience is necessary - just a desire to work hard, live in the backcountry and have a great time among friends.

Trail Crews tackle large-scale projects such as trail relocations, rehabilitation and bridge and shelter construction. Projects are planned and completed in cooperation with AT maintaining clubs and agency partners such as the National Park Service and the US Forest Service.

Click for more information on working conditions and crew life in the field.

Get a glimpse of Trail Crew life from the Roanoke Times.

Our programs

Konnarock Crew (May 7–August 10)  Konnarock is ATC's flagship crew program, named after its original base camp in southwest Virginia. Originating in 1983, it covers the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap in Virginia, near Waynesboro, to the Trail's southern terminus at Springer Mountain in Georgia. The program is a joint venture among ATC, the 12 southern Trail clubs, the U.S. Forest Service's southern region, and the National Park Service.

Maine Trail Crew (June 6–August 12) The Maine crew, sponsored by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, ATC, the National Park Service, and Maine Conservation Corps is based in central Maine. Projects are located along 280 miles of the A.T. in the scenic Maine woods, and most involve reconstruction and rock work. The crew achieves great success through a combination of long-term MCC members and week-long volunteers. Projects are supervised by crew leaders under the direction of modern trail-work pioneer Lester Kenway.

Vermont Long Trail Patrol (July 6–August 21) The Long Trail Patrol is sponsored jointly by the Green Mountain Club, ATC, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. The crew works on heavy construction projects on hiking trails in Vermont, including the coaligned Appalachian Trail and Long Trail.

Mid-Atlantic Crew (September 3–October 27). The Mid-Atlantic crew works on the AT from Rockfish Gap in Virginia to the New York – Connecticut line. The crew is sponsored by AT clubs of the Mid Atlantic region, the National Park Service, and ATC.

Rocky Top Crew (September 2–October 30) The Rocky Top crew works exclusively on 70 miles of the A.T. through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park following the ridge crest from Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam. The crew is sponsored jointly by the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, the National Park Service, and ATC.

Smokies Wilderness Elite A.T. Crew (SWEAT) (June 8 - August 19) The Smokies Wilderness Elite AT crew (SWEAT) is something completely different than other ATC trail crews. Instead of focusing on heavy construction projects, this crew will complete much-needed maintenance in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

To apply

New Volunteers: Download a copy of the 2009 Trail Crew Application or apply online. Give us a call at (540) 953-3571 or email crews@appalachiantrail.org with any questions.

A.T. Trail Crew Alumni: Contact us at crews@appalachiantrail.org for an alumni application.

Other opportunities

Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) sponsors two volunteer trail crews that work on the Appalachian Trail. AMC-Berkshire's crew works on the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts. AMC's White Mountain crew works on the Appalachian Trail and other trails in New Hampshire and southern Maine. More information is available at the AMC Web site.

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club manages volunteer trail crews to work in Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests between May and mid-September. More info.

ATC Trail Crew Sponsors