Groups are welcome on the Trail, but bear in mind that the Trail is narrow and campsites are small. Please follow these guidelines as you plan your outings.

• Take particular care to Leave No Trace. This is vital because groups have a more concentrated impact on paths, campsites, and facilities.
• When staying at Trail shelters where tenting is permitted, pitch tents nearby, leaving the shelter for solo hikers.
• Limit group size to no more than 10, or 25 on day hikes. Four to six is best. Traveling and camping in smaller groups reduces the physical impact to the Trail. Smaller groups also help preserve the sense of solitude and remoteness for other hikers who encounter your group.
• Take care to keep members together; most search-and-rescue missions along the A.T. happen when someone gets separated from a group.

Planning a group hike in northern New England?

Voluntary group registration systems are in place along most of the A.T. from the Vermont/Massachusetts state line north to Baxter State Park in Maine. Contact the appropriate clubs directly for more information:

• Vermont—Green Mountain Club's Voluntary Group Notification System
• New Hampshire/southern Maine—Appalachian Mountain Club's Group Notification System
• Maine (north of Grafton Notch)—Maine Appalachian Trail Club's Group Registration System

Special information for youth groups

ATC has free certificates and discounted A.T. patches for scouts and youth groups. We also can provide a list of scout leaders who have experience leading trips on the A.T., and are willing to help other leaders in their planning. Contact us for details.