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
Forging Connections on the Finger Lakes Trail
In western New York, nine volunteers gathered in Allegany State Park for a week of hands-on stewardship and meaningful connection. Home to dense woodlands, rolling…
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Volunteering on the Edge: A Catalina Island Adventure
Armed with shovels, picks, and loppers, this trail crew spent their days clearing brush, repairing tread, and building stairs to make the trail safer and more accessible.
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Where Sea Meets Service: A Week Volunteering on Fire Island
For one week this summer, a small but mighty group of four volunteers traded their daily lives for a ferry ride across the Great South Bay and a chance to support this extraordinary national treasure.
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Doing More With Less: Trail Work at Erie National Wildlife Refuge
Volunteer Vacations aren’t just about trail maintenance — they’re about community, learning, and being part of something purposeful.
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