Making Trails Accessible for All

What does it take to preserve public lands and ensure trails are accessible for all? Collective action, collective passion, and unwavering commitment. 

In the 50 years that American Hiking Society has been in existence, over 650,000 volunteers have taken to the trails to participate in stewardship activities, ensuring that these beautiful, essential spaces are maintained for generations to come.

What does the impact of that many volunteers look like? With their collective action and passion for public lands, over 46,000 miles of trails have been built, maintained, and preserved from coast to coast.

American Hiking is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, and there is no better time (and, truly, no more crucial time) than the present to celebrate the wins we've experienced over these five impactful decades, and empower more trail enthusiasts to give back to the places they love to explore.

What does American Hiking do, exactly?

American Hiking Society is the only nationwide organization that brings together trail stewardship, advocacy, and community to make hiking accessible for all.

Through our national reach and local partnerships, we preserve and enhance America's trails while expanding outdoor access. We unite diverse voices and inspire action to create a more equitable and sustainable hiking future.

How exactly do we accomplish that? Through our various programs (learn more about each below!), American Hiking mobilizes volunteers on the trails on the local and national level. 

Volunteer Vacations(Se abre en una nueva ventana)

Trade your daily routine for an unforgettable adventure, helping to maintain and protect trails across the country. Volunteer Vacations are open to all skill levels — no prior trail work experience needed — and combine hands-on stewardship with the joy of exploring new outdoor destinations alongside a supportive crew.

On a 2025 trip to Whittier, Alaska, a group of American Hiking Society volunteers spent the week building trail through the Chugach National Forest and giving back to a place unlike anywhere else. Together they cut new tread, built retaining walls, installed boardwalk, and cleared brush. The results were immediate. One volunteer shared, “Being able to improve hiking trails and see that improvement in real time was so rewarding.”

Trips range from weekend getaways to weeklong adventures, offering a unique way to get out, give back, and experience trails like never before.

Alternative Breaks(Se abre en una nueva ventana)

Spend your school break making a real impact in the outdoors! Alternative Breaks give students and young adults the chance to connect with nature, meet new friends, and help care for public lands — all while participating in rewarding and essential trail stewardship projects and unforgettable hikes. It's part vacation, part trail work, and entirely fun, inspiring, and impactful.

Alternative Break volunteers might spend their week working on projects to help make trails more sustainable and user-friendly. That could mean improving water diversion features, maintaining tread, or shaping trail elements like berms and rollers for hikers and mountain bikers alike. Expect hands-on work with tools like shovels, rakes, and tampers — a rewarding way to give back while directly improving trails for all who enjoy them.

National Trails Day®(Se abre en una nueva ventana)

Join the nationwide celebration of trails on the first Saturday of June every year! (In 2026, we’ll be celebrating our 34th annual National Trails Day® on Saturday, June 6!)
National Trails Day® is a day for all outdoor lovers to enjoy, from first-time hikers to lifelong adventurers. Events range from group hikes to trail runs, BBQs in the park, scavenger hunts, group paddles, trail cleanups, and trail maintenance projects. National Trails Day® is your chance to give back, get outside, and be part of a movement that connects your local community with the outdoors.

Hike the Hill®(Se abre en una nueva ventana)

Step into the world of outdoor advocacy and join hikers and trail organizations from across the country — virtually or in person — as we rally together to be the national voice for hikers on Capitol Hill. Hike the Hill® is an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and work alongside like-minded individuals to protect and expand access to our nation's trails.

Why does American Hiking's work matter?

American Hiking's work ensures that the places you love to hike, camp, and explore remain protected and preserved for generations to come.

We advocate for keeping public lands in public hands and reducing barriers to accessing these natural spaces so that everyone can enjoy them, no matter where they live or who they are. We fight for critical trail funding to maintain and improve trails, bridges, and signage so that trails remain safe and accessible for all skill levels and abilities. Beyond protecting the physical trail, we work to make the outdoors a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space — where everyone feels they belong and can experience the joy, health benefits, and community connection that comes from time on the trail. Our mission is rooted in the belief that trails are for everyone, that the outdoors should be open, inviting, and accessible, and that the stewardship we do today ensures those same opportunities for trail lovers tomorrow.

How can hikers support American Hiking's work?

There are so many ways to support American Hiking's work and mission, and to help protect the trails you love:

• Donate(Se abre en una nueva ventana) – Your generous contribution to American Hiking directly supports our mission and allows us to continue to develop and grow our advocacy efforts, stewardship programs, and nationwide initiatives that keep trails safe, accessible, and open for all.

• Get Involved – Join events like National Trails Day® or Hike the Hill® to connect with other trail lovers and take action in your community.

• Volunteer – Sign up for a Volunteer Vacation or local trail project to make a hands-on impact while exploring new places.

• Spread the Word – Share about American Hiking with friends, family, and your outdoor community so more people can join the movement to protect and enjoy trails! You can shop American Hiking gear (each purchase helps support our mission!) through our Hiker Store(Se abre en una nueva ventana), which is another great way to increase awareness of our organization — and look good while doing it!

• Use Your Voice – Follow us on social media (@americanhiking(Se abre en una nueva ventana)) to stay in the know of our advocacy(Se abre en una nueva ventana) 'Action Alerts' where we share how you can take action to support trails and the outdoors. We'll create easy-to-use resources that allow you to write to your elected leaders, encouraging them to support trails and public lands. Your voice truly makes a difference in shaping policies that protect the places we love!

Every single action — big or small — helps ensure our public lands and trails will be here for generations to come.