Matthew Mage
Sarah Mekonnen
Ready to book? First read through the General Information section to better understand the program and reservation process. Then contact Ellie Place at EPlace@AmericanHiking.org or call 1-301-565-6704 ext. 704 to book. Include your preferred location (see available locations listed below), group size and the dates of your spring break. If you do not see a location or week that fits your schedule, please inquire with us. There may be some flexibility in scheduling and we will work with each group on a case by case basis.
Please Note: Most Alternative Breaks are intended for college student and young professional groups.  To reserve a week/location, your group needs to have at least 6 participants. We offer one trip that is open to individual students. We are requiring that all volunteer groups abide by the AHS COVID-19 Volunteer Guidance.
James River State Park, Virginia
Host: Virginia State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 12
James River State Park has 22 miles of trails within it's 1561 acres. We need help every year with maintaining existing trails, doing reroutes, and rehabilitating closed trails. Prior to beginning any project, we do a thorough safety briefing and explanation of the procedures and goals for our project, and volunteers are always accompanied and will work closely with Park and DCR staff. Volunteers will hike less than a mile each day.
The park is located in Central Virginia, with three miles of frontage on the James River. Most is forested with mixed hardwoods and pine, with some wetlands and sunny meadows near the river. Wildlife is abundant and sightings of deer, turkey, bear, and bobcat are frequent. Nearby attractions include the ever-popular Crabtree Falls, just west of the park, university towns of Charlottesville (UVA), Lynchburg (Liberty, Randolph, University of Lynchburg), and Farmville (Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney). A number of other state parks are nearby for a change of scenery and the Appomattox National Historical Park is just down the road.
We host our ASB groups in a six-bedroom lodge with two queen bedrooms, two twin bedrooms, and two bunk-bed rooms. There are three shared bathrooms, a washer and dryer and gas fireplace in the lodge. Outside, there is a firepit and grill. There is full heat / AC. There is no wifi in the lodge, but wifi is available at the visitor center.
Alternative Break crews are needed to help construct and maintain Raiders Run Trail! Many sections of the Raiders Run Trail have been re-routed to make it more user friendly and sustainable. The trails have been bench cut on moderately steep slopes but will be improved for sustainably with water diversion features including sheet flow on the tread and out-slope and grade reversals. We will continue to improve these trails previously constructed by maintaining, improving, shaping, and defining existing hiking and mountain bike features including berms, rollers, and trail tread formations on these trails along with other necessary features. Most of the work will be spent bending, shoveling, raking, chopping, and tamping.
Hungry Mother State Park encompasses roughly 3,000 acres with 250 acres developed. The park is nestled in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia and has a 108-acre lake stocked with muskie, walleye, and catfish, but plenty of other native species are available. Canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all available. Hungry Mother also has 18 miles of some of the finest mountain trails to hike and bike. One trail will take you to the highest knob in the Park, Molly's Knob with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and countryside. Find out who Molly is and how she is ingrained in our legend of how she helped to give the park its name. The park is located in the same county as the highest peak in Virginia, Mt. Rogers, and is surrounded by National forest and many natural areas. The Channels, the Pinnacles, the Cascades, and Grayson Highlands State Park to name a few are all extraordinary natural finds and are all within an hour's drive of the park. This area is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Basic shopping needs and nice eateries are located in Marion, VA, only four miles away.
Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
Host: Florida State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 16
Grayton Beach State Park gets rated "The Most Beautiful Beach in America" and the Dune Lake Trail is between the Coastal Dunes and Western Lake a Coastal Dune Lake. Grayton Beach has White Quarts Sand that came from the Appalachian Mountains from the Glaciers over 10,000 years ago. Grayton Beach State Park has Western Lake is the second largest Coastal Dune Lakes in the area. Coastal Dune Lakes only exist in this area of the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, and Australia.
Volunteers will stay in a primitive group campsite The Camp Loop has a Bath House in the center of the loop with running water, toilets and showers. The Group Site has benches around it with multiple Hammock Posts. The Group Site is on Western Lake with a spectacular view. The park staff will fully supply the crew with all required cooking gear, but volunteers will need to provide their own tent and personal camping gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, clothing, etc.).
Cumberland Trails State Park
Host: Cumberland Trails Conference
Maximum Group Size: 50
Join the Cumberland Trails Conference to help build the Cumberland Trail! This service project includes 4 days of trail building with one free day for the students to explore the local area. Trail building involves hiking into the worksite, building trail by cutting into the soil with hand tools, removing tree stumps and roots in the trail tread, and hiking out in the afternoons. Participants will hike up to 7 miles each day. Although the work is hard the reward is great by knowing you are a part of something bigger!
The Cumberland Trail is an ambitious hiking trail project under development in East
Volunteers will stay at Fort Bluff Camp which has indoor hot showers, stall restrooms, dorm-like sleeping quarters, a dining hall, outdoor activities, and a meeting area. The camp will provide three catered meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in the dining hall. Students are welcome to bring snacks for in-between meal times.
Pocahontas State Park, Virginia
Host: Virginia State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 14
At Pocahontas State Park, volunteers will learn how to build trails for hiking and mountain biking and help the park expand access, clean up trails and create new trails. Participants will also learn basic carpentry, landscaping, and team building skills throughout the week. Enjoy working outdoors in one of the largest state parks in Virginia!
Pocahontas State Park is located 8,000 acres in Chesterfield County, allowing for a wide open back country feel while being within a half hour of Richmond, VA. The park is home to world famous single track mountain bike trails, and over 800 miles of trails! Within the park are three lakes, offering significant boating and fishing opportunities. The park also has a visitor's center containing numerous reptiles. The park has a large pool complex and concert amphitheater. The park is also minutes away from the city of Richmond, Virginia.
The crew will stay in a lodge with three bathrooms (one universally accessible) and six bedrooms. The lodge is climate controlled with central heating, air conditioning and a gas fireplace. Linens are not provided, so crews will need to bring their own. The kitchen has a range/over, refrigerator, microwave, drip coffee maker, pots, pans, dishwasher, ice maker, dishes and utensils. There is a dining area with seating for 16. The living area has sofas, chairs and a gas fireplace. Outside the lodge has a picnic table, fire-ring, and charcoal pedestal grill.
York River State Park, Virginia
Host:Â Virginia State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 15
Volunteers will spend the week doing trail maintenance to improve surfaces and access to the park's trails.
The park is known for its rare and delicate estuarine environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a rich habitat for marine and plant life. It is on the York River and is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The pristine environment offers clues to a rich natural and cultural history and hosts fossil beds and Colonial and Native American artifacts. Programs, activities and visitor center displays focus on the history, use, wildlife and preservation of the York River and its marshes. More than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests. A boat ramp, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat and recreational equipment rentals are available. Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Island and Yorktown offer extensive opportunities for history and touring. Williamsburg Pottery, Lightfoot and Williamsburg Area Outlet Shops on Route 60 offer shopping opportunities. Busch Gardens, Water Country, Go-Karts Plus (miniature golf, etc.), Williamsburg Winery, etc., offer many opportunities for a range of entertainment. Virginia Beach and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge are nearby.
Volunteers will stay in two mobile homes that provide bunkbeds, full kitchen facilities, bathrooms with showers, and living areas. Each trailer has a large outdoor eating area with a gas grill and fire pit. There is access to a washer and dryer. Wifi access can be arranged.
Kiptopeke State Park, Virginia
Host: Department of Conservation & Recreation, Virginia State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 16
Come join Kiptopeke State Park to help rebuild one of our beach boardwalks! After over 30 years of use, our 4 boardwalks which lead from various areas of the park to the beach are in need of some cosmetic and structural maintenance. Work will include removing decking and railings from the existing boardwalk structures, shoring up structural supports, and re-decking and rebuilding railings. No prior trail experience is required - all supplies, instruction and tools will be provided. All park trails are easily accessed from the cabin/lodge area. It is about a half a mile from the lodges to the maintenance area, where the group will meet to distribute tools and head out to the worksite.
Kiptopeke State Park is set on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The park is 562 acres, and includes over 3 miles of beachfront, 5 miles of trails, as well as a campground and several lodging facilities. We also offer a 24/7 fishing pier that is very popular with local anglers. The park includes marine forests, is a popular birding destination, but mainly receives many visitors for the beach and fishing. The Eastern Shore offers many recreational activities as well as a fascinating local history. There are many preserves, refuges, and other lands held for conservation uses on the shore, held by many federal, state, and local agencies - as well as other organizations such as the Nature Conservancy. The quaint town of Cape Charles offers local dining and shopping options, as well as art galleries, a movie theater, and a small museum. There is also a grocery store about 15 minutes outside the park. The park is also located just on the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which links the shore to the Hampton Roads area (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton) - where almost any recreational activity can be found.
Volunteers would be housed in one of the parks lodges. The lodges contain 6 bedrooms (2 queen, 2 rooms with 2 twin beds, and 2 rooms with 2 sets of bunkbeds) for a max capacity of 16 as well as 3 full bathrooms, and an open-concept living and kitchen area. All lodges have HVAC and hot water. A fire ring and large charcoal grill are outside, as well as a picnic table. Linens and towels are not provided, but pillows are. Kitchens come fully equipped with cookware and dishware for 16 people, as well as a stove/oven, coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator. A grocery store is located about 15 minutes outside the park. There are no TVs or WiFi in the lodges, and the campground has coin-operated laundry machines.
Natural Bridge State Park, Virginia
Host: Virginia State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 13
Located in Rockbridge County, Natural Bridge features rolling grasslands, forests, and beautiful scenic vistas. The bridge once owned by Thomas Jefferson has been included in several "Seven Natural Wonders of the World" lists and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy the Natural Bridge Caverns tour as it descends more than 34 stories deep to a magnificent natural display. Rockbridge County and Natural Bridge provide many scenic vistas and opportunities to get outdoors. The Appalachian Trail comes through here, as does the James River with canoeing and kayaking. The history of Lexington, Virginia's involvement in the Civil War and the two colleges of Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee are all here. The county has 601 square miles that is interconnected with biking, hiking, water and equestrian trails called Braiding the Way. The James River is a state designated scenic river and State Route 301 that runs through the park is designated a state scenic highway. Douthat State Park and James River State Park are within a short drive as is Appomattox National Historic Battlefield. The Blue Ridge Parkway is within 12 miles of the park giving access to the Peaks of Otter and other scenic attractions.
Natchez Trace State Park, Tennessee
Host: Tennessee State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 20
This project will focus on re-routing a section of the 40 mile Red Leaves Backpacking Trail, within the 48,000 acre Natchez Trace State Park and Forest. Volunteers will learn about sustainable trail design, trail maintenance, and hone their trail building skills utilizing various tools including Pulaskis and Mcleouds. The new trail segment will be built near the scenic 58 acre Cub Creek Lake. Trail building each day will be moderate with hikes of less than one mile to the work site. Volunteers will have access to the parks fishing boats, kayaks, and pedal boats for afternoon relaxation. Also, the 48,000 acre recreation area boasts 4 lakes and nearly 50 miles of hiking trails, and over 100 miles of multi-use trails.
Natchez Trace State Park and Forest contains 48,000 heavily forested acres of hardwood and pine, with many lakes and abundant wildlife including turkey, deer, squirrels and many bird species. We will be working near the picturesque Cub Creek Lake, a 58 acre lake build by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1938. The park has 13.5 miles of hiking trails, ranging from a one-half mile up to 4.5 miles, and a 40 mile overnight trail (where volunteers will be working). The trails wind through the forest and fields and along the lakeshores and streams of Natchez Park.
Volunteers will stay in the group lodge which consists of five separate cottages, four of which sleep 10 each and one which will accommodate eight (Volunteers will be housed in the Cottages at 50% occupancy, so 5 people per Cottage). Each cottage has a full kitchen, two full baths, dining room, living room, and deck with a picnic table. All sleeping arrangements are bunk beds. Volunteers should bring their own bedding (or sleeping bag), towels, cup/bowl/mug/eating utensils, and personal gear.
Mill Ridge Park, Tennessee
Host: Friends of Mill Ridge Park
Maximum Group Size: 8
Sue-Meg State Park, California
Host: California State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 12
Alternative Beak volunteers are needed to support habitat restoration projects in various State Parks in Northern California. Join the California State Parks Natural Resource Management Program for the North Coast Redwoods District to primarily do invasive plant species removal and revegetation projects. Potential projects include working at Little River State Beach, Trinidad State Beach, Sue-meg State Park, Humboldt Lagoons State Park, and Redwood National and State Park. The group will work to remove European beachgrass, yellow bush lupine, English ivy, and other invasive plant species. Projects would help restore our forests, prairies, native azaleas, coastal bluffs, and dune ecosystems which benefits our sensitive plant communities and threatened species including the western snowy plover. All of the work locations offer a look into different habitat types within a beautiful setting. Work with Park Staff to learn about our different habitat restoration projects, natural resource management, and native flora and fauna. Depending on the restoration project, volunteers may hike up to four miles round trip, with minor elevation changes. Hiking will be on maintained trails or the beach.
Moran State Park, Orcas Island, Washington
Host: Washington Parks & Recreation Commission
Maximum Group Size: 15
Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania
Host: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Maximum Group Size:Â 10
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia*
*Not available for 2026 season due to housing updates / construction, but will be back for 2027!
Host:Â Friends of Cloudland Canyon State Park
Maximum Group Size: 15
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, USVI
Host: Friends of Virgin Islands National Park
Maximum Group Size: 14
Roaring River State Park, Missouri
Host: Missouri State Parks
Maximum Group Size: 20
Thank You Alternative Break Sponsors
