American Hiking Society

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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“Does anything I do even matter? Even as I educate community members and participate in service projects at trailheads in my own community, can I actually change things? Do my elected officials truly hear my emails, phone calls, and petitions?” These questions have been stirring in my mind for years as I have tried to be more active in advocacy for policies that protect the wild places I love.

I learned a lot about federal politics in just a few short days, and while I’m still trying to figure out what it means to me, I think that it’s important to keep perspective. That said, I’m not going to stop dreaming – about ways to improve trails and my community today, and about ways to advocate for change in the future.

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The EXPLORE Act will help get people outdoors by modernizing federal recreation systems and eliminate barriers of access to the outdoors.

In 2023, wilderness rescues saw a significant uptick, shedding light on the importance of being prepared, both physically and financially, when embarking on outdoor adventures.

For 27 years, AHS has joined with Partnership for the National Trails System to bring trail organizations, advocates, and federal land management partners together during Hike the HillⓇ.