Protecting the Places You Love to Hike
Advocate for Hiking Access + Improve Trails
We envision a world where everyone feels welcome in the American hiking community and has permanent access to meaningful hiking, including urban, frontcountry, and backcountry opportunities.
Advocate
American Hiking works with Congress, federal agencies, and partners on policy issues and legislation to ensure funding for trails, preservation of public lands, and protection of the hiking experience.
NextGen Trail Leaders are rising stars in the outdoor community and the voice of young hikers who take part in a yearlong program of advocacy and stewardship to protect public lands.
Each year American Hiking brings together five early to early-mid career leaders in the outdoor community with a diversity of identities from across the country. American Hiking provides these Leaders with training, mentorship, networking, trail stewardship opportunities, and professional development and gear stipends. Through this partnership, NextGen Trail Leaders build and refine their advocacy and outdoor leadership experience and skills, speaking out to elected officials, serving as ambassadors to the hiking community, building a nationwide stewardship movement, and championing conservation, equity, and inclusion.
Ryan Nelson
Volunteer
Trails don't maintain themselves. Individuals of any age and experience level can become trail stewards. Give back to the trails you love, meet new people, and enjoy the experience!
2023 Volunteer Vacation Registration is Open
Work hard, get dirty, dig deep...and feel immensely rewarded.
Explore
Feel confident when you set out on your next trail adventure. Check out our free hiking resources like tips for hiking with families, gear checklists, finding the best trail for you, and more.
Latest Stories and Updates
194 Trail Organizations and Partners Voice Support for Federal Trail Funding (House of Representatives)
On behalf of American Hiking Society and the millions of trail users our 194 collective organizations represent who spend their time, money and energy to get out on trails for recreation, health and wellness, and to volunteer, we provide testimony on the importance of adequately funding our nation’s trails and public lands to ensure access for all.
Read More
Top Destinations for Volunteer Vacations in 2023
See the great outdoors from a new perspective as a trail volunteer. As a volunteer on an American Hiking Volunteer Vacation, you’ll likely make a deeper…
Read More
Volunteer Spotlight: Bill Morgan
Bill Morgan “DocWillieC” has completed 19 Volunteer Vacations with American Hiking Society since his first trip in 2005. His trailname is Downhill Bill because he…
Read More
Preparing for Spring Hiking
Preparing for Spring Hiking Sponsored by AKHG™ by Duluth Trading Co. the as the Exclusive Apparel Sponsor of National Trails Day®. Springtime is an excellent…
Read More