A.T. Camper Registration

Hiking and camping along the Appalachian Trail, whether for one night or many, offers the adventure of a lifetime. By registering your camping plans, you will be able to avoid crowds and minimize the impact you have on fragile Trail resources.

select a registration type

A.T. Section Hiker

Anybody planning to camp overnight on the A.T., whether one night or many, can use A.T.CAMP to register your campsites. This will help you find an A.T. section that is less crowded, improve the hiking experience, and protect fragile Trail resources.

A.T. Thru-Hiker

Completing the entire 2,190 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) in one trip is a mammoth undertaking, usually spanning 5 to 7 months.

Registering your thru-hike will help you select a departure location and date with fewer hikers, improve the hiking experience, and protect fragile Trail resources.

Northbounders: Please register your starting date/location, and your campsites for at least the first three nights. During spring 2018, ATC staff are presenting a 30 minute class everyday at 9am and 4pm in Amicalola Falls State Park. Please plan to attend one of these at the start of your hike.

Southbounders and flip-floppers: Please register your starting date/location. You may register camping locations.

In addition to the logistics of planning your hike, physical and mental preparations are important factors for a successful thru-hike. Learn more about this subject here.

A.T. Group Campers

This registration is intended for camping groups of 6-10 people only.

Scout, camp, school, church, and other groups are welcome on the Trail; however, the A.T. was not designed for large groups - the footpath is narrow and most campsites are small. Special considerations must be made when planning a group trip:

The maximum size for group members plus leaders is 10. If your group size exceeds this number, divide into groups of 10 or fewer, camp in separate locations, and register each of these groups separately

Your camping group should not stay in A.T. shelters. There are campsites at some A.T. shelter areas which groups may use - bring tents, hammocks, or tarps and camp in designated campsites. For more information about organized group camping tips and guidelines, click here.

a.t. camper registration form

This A.T. camping registration system is designed to provide you with a means to avoid overcrowding at overnight sites during your section hike.

Please note:

-A registration is not a reservation.

-Due to large numbers of thru-hikers and limited camping resources, section hikers and Spring Break hikers are encouraged to find an alternative to visiting the A.T. in Georgia and southern North Carolina during March and April.

To register:

Enter your itinerary in sequential order - from starting point/date, to campsites, to the end point of your trip.
Your itinerary must begin with a start point. The map will limit the displayed icons to possible start points until you select one and a start date. After that, the map will display the shelters/campsites that you can add to your itinerary, and will automatically pick the date. To select a map icon, click the bottom of the icon on the map.
Use the map key to show/hide various icons if you wish.
When "full", campsites or sections of the A.T. with capacities (quotas) that are in your itinerary will show a RED date on the calendar, and you will not be able to register for that site on the "full" date. Please select another site or A.T. section which still has space.
Campsites and shelters show the design capacity when clicked. The calendar shows the number of other people registered for the site, both in the site info and on the calendar date box (below and to the left of the date number). If the campsite or shelter does not have a quota, you can still see if the site will be over design capacity on the night you register - and avoid it if it is over capacity.
Click "Continue With Registration" to fill in your personal info, and when done with that click "Review Registration".
After you have submitted your completed A.T. camping registration you will receive a PDF via e-mail with your itinerary.
If your plans change and you are no longer able to keep your planned schedule, please cancel your hike.

This registration system is continually being improved. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at ATcamp@appalachiantrail.org. Thank you!

This A.T. camping registration system is designed to provide you with a means to avoid overcrowding during your thru-hike.

Please note:

-A registration is not a reservation.

-Separate registration forms should be submitted by all individual thru-hikers, but thru-hikers with a partner can submit one registration as a group of two.

View thru-hiker starting date graphs, by location here.

-Northbounders: Please register your starting date/location, and your campsites for at least the first three nights. ATC strongly encourages northbounders to begin their hike at Amicalola Falls State Park. In the State Park, you will receive your 2018 thru-hiker hangtag and get updates on Trail conditions. Accessing Springer Mountain by gravel roads can be unreliable due to bad weather, poor road conditions, and limited parking.

-Southbounders and flip-floppers: Please register your starting date/location. You will have the option to register overnight camping locations. It is not advisable to attempt a Southbound hike from Katahdin prior to June 1 due to snow, ice and high water from snow melt.

To register:

Enter your itinerary in sequential order - from starting point/date to campsites. You do not need to specify an end point/date.
Your itinerary must begin with a start point. The map will limit the displayed icons to possible start points until you select one and a start date. After that, the map will display the shelters/campsites that you can add to your itinerary, and will automatically pick the date. To select a map icon, click the bottom of the icon on the map.
Use the map key to show/hide various icons if you wish.
Campsites and shelters show the design capacity when clicked. The calendar shows the number of other people registered for the site, both in the site info and on the calendar date box (below and to the left of the date number). Please avoid sites that are over capacity.
Click "Continue With Registration" to fill in your personal info, and when done with that click "Review Registration".
After you have submitted your completed A.T. camping registration you will receive a PDF via e-mail with your itinerary.
If your plans change and you are no longer able to keep your planned schedule, please cancel your hike.

This registration system is continually being improved. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at ATcamp@appalachiantrail.org. Thank you!

By using this registration tool you are helping shape the future of the A.T.! This information will help us build an effective network of group campsites along the Trail and provide your group with a means to avoid overcrowding and prevent damage at overnight sites during your hike.

Please note:

-A registration is not a reservation.

-Due to large numbers of thru-hikers and limited camping resources, groups, including Spring Break hikers, are encouraged to find an alternative to visiting the A.T. in Georgia and southern North Carolina during March and April.

To register:

Enter your itinerary in sequential order - from starting point/date, to campsites, to the end point of your trip.
Your itinerary must begin with a start point. The map will limit the displayed icons to possible start points until you select one and a start date. After that, the map will display the shelters/campsites that you can add to your itinerary, and will automatically pick the date. To select a map icon, click the bottom of the icon on the map.
Use the map key to show/hide various icons if you wish.
When "full", campsites or sections of the A.T. with capacities (quotas) that are in your itinerary will show a RED date on the calendar, and you will not be able to register for that site on the "full" date. Please select another site or A.T. section which still has space.
Campsites and shelters show the design capacity when clicked. The calendar shows the number of other people registered for the site, both in the site info and on the calendar date box (below and to the left of the date number). If the campsite or shelter does not have a quota, you can still see if the site will be over design capacity on the night you register - and avoid it if it is over capacity.
Click "Continue With Registration" to fill in your personal info, and when done with that click "Review Registration".
After you have submitted your completed A.T. camping registration you will receive a PDF via e-mail with your itinerary.
If your plans change and you are no longer able to keep your planned schedule please cancel your hike.

This registration system is continually being improved. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at ATcamp@appalachiantrail.org. Thank you!

Required information is marked with a red asterisk *.

Trip Information

This registration does not replace permits required for Great Smoky Mountains (GRSM) or Shenandoah National Parks, or Baxter State Park. All types of A.T. campers planning to camp in the GRSM may click here for the Smokies camping permit site.

The ATC strongly recommends use of a bear canister for food storage along the entire A.T. so you help prevent harm to both you and the bears! Use of a bear canister "is the single most effective thing you can do as a Wilderness (and A.T.) visitor to protect bears."

Every A.T. hiker must leave the A.T. better than they find it to ensure that the A.T. will continue to provide a beautiful, natural "Footpath for those who seek fellowship with the Wilderness". Learn how!

*Direction of Travel:

*Number in Party:

Map
Itinerary

Use the map below to enter your itinerary.
Start by entering your start point, then enter the rest of your itinerary.
Be as accurate as you can for the dates and areas for your trip as some of the areas might have quotas in place.
Click on the icons or section name for details and availability or use.
If at any time the AT or icons are not visible for an area, use the "Jump to State" list to reload the state you want to view.
Jump to state:

Map Key
	AT (very rough)
- - - - -	Around states = quota in place or permits required

Map Key
		AT	Sections w/quotas
		Official AT Shelter	Groups Only
		Other Shelter	Groups Only
		Camp Area or Site	Groups Only
		Trailhead/Access Point	Section Names
		Section Divider and Trailhead/Access Point
		Other - Visitor Center, Hostel, Private, etc.

Your Itinerary Information

You can construct your itinerary by selecting shelters/campsites etc. from the map in the Map tab.
A start date and location is required.
To begin building your itinerary, click the button below. Select the state you will start your trip in and then select a location from the map where you will access the AT (and start your trip). Then select the start date of your trip from the displayed calendars.
Your itinerary will be displayed here once you have started building it.

Date	Resource	Mileage	Section

Max # days per Registration:

You can use the "Add Zero Day Off Trail" button to add a day off trail OR to add a day in a section that has a separate permit system.
When you are finished selecting the areas for your itinerary, click the "Continue With Registration" button to fill out the rest of your hiking registration.

Registration Holder Information

*First Name:

*Last Name:

*Email:

*Confirm email:

*Address:

*City:

*State/Province:

*Zip/Postal Code:

*Country:

*Emergency Contact Name:

*Emergency Contact Phone:

*Group Name/Affiliation:

ATC Information

*I would like to receive trail alerts from ATC, and a survey about my hike experience later in the year.

Trail Alerts Notification Information

*How to notify you:

*Cell Phone:

*Cell Carrier:

(Optional) Your Ethnicity?

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our mission is best supported by the contributions of individuals of diverse backgrounds. The information you provide will give valuable insight regarding the changing demographics of the A.T. hiking community. This data will not be shared with external parties and will be used for internal purposes only.

(Optional) Your age?

(Optional) People attempt to thru-hike the A.T. for many reasons, would you share with us your motivations for thru-hiking?

(Optional) Are you hiking with a dog?

Comments/Requests:

review a.t. camper registration

Itinerary

Date	Resource	Mileage	Section

Trip Information

Registration

Enter your itinerary in sequential order - from starting point/date, to campsites, to the end point of your trip.
Your itinerary must begin with a start point. The map will limit the displayed icons to possible start points until you select one and a start date. After that, the map will display the shelters/campsites that you can add to your itinerary, and will automatically pick the date. To select a map icon, click the bottom of the icon on the map.
Use the map key to show/hide various icons if you wish.
When "full", campsites or sections of the A.T. with capacities (quotas) that are in your itinerary will show a RED date on the calendar, and you will not be able to register for that site on the "full" date. Please select another site (or A.T. section) which still has space.
Campsites and shelters show the design capacity when clicked. The calendar shows the number of other people registered for the site, both in the site info and on the calendar date box (below and to the left of the date number). If the campsite or shelter does not have a quota, you can still see if the site will be over design capacity on the night you register - and avoid it if it is over capacity.
Click "Continue With Registration" to fill in your personal info, and when done with that click "Review Registration".
After you have submitted your completed A.T. camping registration you will receive a PDF via e-mail with your itinerary.
If your plans change and you are no longer able to keep your planned schedule please cancel your hike.