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!
2025 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
Backcountry Stewardship in Eagle Cap Wilderness
A crew of American Hiking Society volunteers set out into Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness to spend a week living and working in the backcountry.
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Hard Work, Shared Joy in Montana’s Wilderness
American Hiking Society volunteers joined wilderness stewards from the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation to care for the Holloway Lake Trail #393.
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A Hikers Guide to the Government Shutdown (Updated Sept. 2025)
Your bags are packed, the car is loaded, and you are about to set off on a nice outdoor getaway to enjoy some hiking and fresh air when you hear then news that the government has shut down and you may not be able to access your favorite trail. Don’t fear, you can likely still go out and enjoy your hike, but you will be more limited in where you can go, what resources will be available, and who will be there to assist you.
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Restoring Trails on the Oregon Coast
This summer, a crew of American Hiking Society volunteers traveled to the scenic town of Newport, Oregon, to restore the Salal Hill Trail.
Read MoreIn The News
Send Cranky, Tired Feet Packing With the Best Hiking Socks
It only takes one outdoor jaunt in crappy footwear to know that the best hiking socks are worth the investment.…
Recover Brands – Be the Impact Podcast
In this episode, we are joined by Heather Klein Olson, the Executive Director of American Hiking Society (AHS), who has shared those…
For a Better Workout, Walk With Hiking Poles
Put simply, poles can help you walk easier, faster and farther.
Getting Out for National Trails Day® 2025
Maggie Peikon of the American Hiking Society joins the Accuweather Network to explain how National Trails Day® got started as an…
To mark National Trails Day, you can try out a Hypershell X – the outdoor exoskeleton for everyone
Do more in the outdoors and celebrate the US trails network.
11 Camping Trash Cans Outdoor Experts Love
The weather is beautiful—it’s time to get outside. You’ve got your hiking boots, windbreaker, and even a neat new firepit, but do you…