Trail Updates

Even the latest guides and maps can't always keep up with quickly changing Trail conditions. Check here often for information on current conditions, relocations, and other big changes.

Have you noticed a problem on the Trail that requires attention?  Please contact us.

Updates to the A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion -- a guidebook of hiker services along the Trail -- are also available. Copies of the Companion are available from the Ultimate Trail Store.

Local weather reports, including watches, warnings, and advisories, are available from the National Weather Service.

More Trail conditions info can be found on some local A.T. management partners' websites.

Hikers share the land with hunters along much of the A.T. Stay safe while hiking this fall -- learn more about local hunting seasons and the precautions hikers should take.

Current Trail Updates (listed from south to north)

VANDALISM ALERT: Lake Winfield Scott parking area 

GEORGIA - In April 2009, a hiker reported a slashed tire after parking overnight in the large lot across from the beach at Lake Winfield Scott.  (Posted 04/30/09)

Bear activity at Silers Bald Shelter

NORTH CAROLINA - Hikers have reported a problem bear frequenting the shelter site.  In addition, the bear cable system for storing food is reported to be unusable.  Hikers will need to make extra effort to hang food bags properly and keep the shelter site clean.  (Posted 06/24/09)

Birch Spring Campsite, Russell Field Shelter temporarily closed

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NP - Birch Spring and Russell Field overnight sites have been closed due to bear activity.  (Posted 08/19/09)

Unaka Mountain relocations completed

TENNESSEE/NORTH CAROLINA - Volunteers from TEHCC, ATC Konnarock Crew, Hard Core Crew, and student groups recently completed a series of relocations on the north side of Unaka Mountain.  Learn more about these relocations.  (Posted 09/04/08)

Relocation just north of US 19E

TENNESSEE - A 0.7 mile relo in the section between US 19E and Bishop Hollow was completed in 2008.  This relo moved the A.T. route away from both Bear Branch Road (where trash was frequently dumped) and a steep drainage and onto a sidehill grade with nice views of the Roan Highlands.  (Posted 10/16/08)

Bear activity at Watauga Lake and Vandeventer shelters

TENNESSEE - Two separate incidents were recently reported at Watauga Lake and Vandeventer shelters. Read more about these incidents.  (Posted 08/11/09)

Vehicle break-ins in Mt. Rogers area

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA - Two vehicles were reportedly broken into at the VA 600/Elk Garden trailhead during May.  The section between Damascus and VA Rt. 16 (at Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters) has a long history of vehicle break-ins and thefts.  Read more about problem areas.  (Posted 06/17/09)

Davis Path Shelter removal 

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA - In May of 2008, Davis Path Shelter was converted to a tent platform by removal of the roof and walls.  (Posted 09/26/08)

Laurel Creek footbridge closure

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA - Located at VA 615 6.9 miles south of US 21/52 near Bastian, VA, the A.T. footbridge across Laurel Creek is closed for repairs.  A.T. now uses VA 615 bridge to cross the creek.  More about this temporary relo...  (Posted 04/09/09)

VANDALISM ALERT: Dragons Tooth side trail parking area on VA Rt. 311

CENTRAL VIRGINIA - In late July 2009, several cars were reported vandalized at the Rt. 311 parking area for the Dragons Tooth side trail.  (Posted 07/28/09)

Forest fire damage north of Bearwallow Gap

CENTRAL VIRGINIA - During a wildfire in July of 2008, numerous trees were damaged over a 1.5 mile section of the A.T. starting roughly 1.5 miles north of Bearwallow Gap/VA 43.  Read more...  (Posted 12/30/08)

USFS Road 39 closure near Lynchburg Reservoir

CENTRAL VIRGINIA - On or about September 1, the USFS will close a portion of Road 39 to facilitate replacement of culverts at the crossing of Little Irish Creek.  The closure is expected to last about two months.  Hikers wanting to access the A.T. in the Lynchburg Reservoir/Pedlar Dam area should plan to use USFS 39 approaching from VA 607, as that section of road will remain open.  (Posted 08/24/09)

Relocation completed just north of Tye River (VA Rt. 56)

Tidewater A.T. Club volunteers, ATC Konnarock Crews, and a Student Conservation Association crew all contributed to this relocation of roughly one mile of the A.T.  Read more about this relo.  (Posted 08/22/08)

VANDALISM ALERT: Rockfish Gap parking area (Skyline Drive MP 105) 

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK - In late July, a hiker's vehicle was reportedly broken into at the Rockfish Gap parking area located on the Skyline Drive just north of I-64.  (Posted 08/05/09)

Byrd's Nest #3 shelter converted to overnight use

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK - Located 3.2 miles south of Thornton Gap, this shelter was formerly for day use only.  PATC has added sleeping bunks, a food hanging pole (bear pole), and a privy to provide for overnight camping use.  (Posted 11/03/08)

Overnight use closure at Keys Gap

NORTHERN VIRGINIA - Illegal activity in the Keys Gap area has not involved direct threats to hikers (only hikers' vehicles).  However, to promote the security of Trail users and assist law enforcement, camping is now prohibited within the 1.5 mile section from WV Rt. 9 north to the powerline cut, and within 0.5 mile south of Rt. 9.  (Posted 11/09/07)

VANDALISM ALERT: Keys Gap parking area

NORTHERN VIRGINIA - The Keys Gap A.T. parking area, located on Rt. 9 at the Virginia-West Virginia state line, has a long history of break-ins and vandalism.  Leaving cars here overnight is not recommended; suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail.  (Posted 04/08/09)

Potomac River footbridge repair work

WEST VIRGINIA - Harpers Ferry NHP has begun a project to replace the decking boards on the Goodloe E. Byron Memorial Walkway -- the A.T. route across the Potomac River.  The walkway will be closed for short periods while the work proceeds.  Read more...  (Posted 10/21/09)

Crampton Gap Shelter spring dry

MARYLAND - Reliable piped water source are the faucets/restrooms at Gathland State Park, 0.5 mile south of Crampton Gap shelter.  (Posted 08/12/09)

Problem bear at Dahlgren Campground

MARYLAND - Hikers have reported food supplies stolen by a bear at the Dahlgren Backpacker Campground.  South Mountain SP has also noted other reports of bear problems in the area.  Although black bears have not historically posed much of a problem to hikers in Maryland, they are out there and are now being seen more frequently.  Read our recommendations for wildlife safety.  (Posted 06/24/09)

New Raven Rock Shelter NOT open yet

MARYLAND - Although listed in both the 2009 A.T. Data Book and 2009 A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion, the Raven Rock Shelter has NOT been completed and is not yet open for use.  Read more...  (Posted 08/11/09)

Darlington Shelter spring unreliable

PENNSYLVANIA - The spring serving as the water source near the Darlington Shelter is known to be unreliable. An alternate water source is a more reliable spring located 1 mile south of the shelter.  (Posted 08/26/09)

VANDALISM ALERT: PA Rt. 309 parking area

PENNSYLVANIA - Two attempted vehicle break-ins have been reported for the Rt. 309 parking lot: one in June 2008, and more recently in July 2009.   Suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail.  (Posted 07/28/09)

Temporary relocation at Palmerton remediation project

PENNSYLVANIA - Zinc smelting plants (now shut down) in Palmerton have left Blue Mountain nearly devoid of vegetation in the Lehigh Gap area.  A long-term remediation project was begun in March of 2008.  Learn more about this project affects the A.T.  (Posted 09/04/08)

Illegal ATV activity near Unionville and Vernon

NEW JERSEY - Hikers can assist Trail-corridor law enforcement by reporting any illegal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) usage observed along the A.T. in the Unionville, NY and Vernon, NJ area.  Read more about how you can help.  (Posted 04/08/09)

Relocation near Wawayanda Shelter

NEW JERSEY - The route of the A.T. was recently changed through the area around Wawayanda Shelter.  Learn more...  (Posted 04/30/08)

VANDALISM ALERT: Treadway damage in Bear Mountain State Park

NEW YORK - On West Mountain, vandals have undid the hard work of NY-NJ Trail Conference volunteers twice since 2007.  Read more about these incidents.  (Posted 10/14/09)

Relocation south of Telephone Pioneers Shelter

NEW YORK - Volunteers from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference have recently completed a short relo between Cat Rocks and Telephone Pioneers Shelter.  This relo adds switchbacks to a steep hill, and has increased the distance of this section by 0.2 mile.  (Posted 08/22/08)

Temporary A.T. relo due to US 7 bridge closure

CONNECTICUT - Two miles south of Falls Village, the US 7 bridge over the Housatonic River is undergoing major repairs.  The bridge is closed to pedestrian traffic; a temporary relo has been put in place so that A.T. hikers can bypass this bridge.  Read more about this relocation.  (Posted 11/12/09)   

Lost Pond Shelter replaced

VERMONT - This shelter was recently rebuilt by Green Mountain Club.  The previous structure was destroyed by a fire in 2006.  (Posted 08/11/09)

VANDALISM ALERT: USFS 10/Danby-Landgrove Road parking area

VERMONT - A vehicle break-in and theft of items was reported at the Danby-Landgrove Road (USFS 10) in late July.  Suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail.  (Posted 08/11/09)

Thundering Falls accessible section completed

VERMONT - In 2007, Trail Crews from the Green Mountain Club along with Vermont Youth Conservation Corps relocated a section of the A.T. just north of Gifford Woods State Park.  Read more about this relo.  (Posted 10/16/08)