The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has announced new visitation data confirming the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (ANST or A.T.) had 16.9m recreation visits in 2025.
Unlike a traditional park with designated entrances and exits, the A.T. spans 14 states and nearly 2,200 miles with hundreds of access points, which has made measuring visitation over the last 100 years difficult and unpredictable.
“For the first time, we can truly see how popular and meaningful the Appalachian Trail and its landscape are to millions of people,” said Cinda Waldbuesser, president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
“We are very proud of our work in partnership with the National Park Service on a methodology that enables us to accurately understand how people use the footpath, what sections see the most visitation, and how to better support local communities so the Trail remains an iconic destination for generations to come. This data will inform A.T. management and conservation decisions and help us continuously improve the Trail experience for all visitors.”
The ATC and the National Park Service calculated 2025 visitation to the A.T. using aggregated, anonymized mobile location data combined with trail counters and field observations to confirm patterns and accuracy. To ensure alignment with national reporting standards, the ATC collaborated closely with the NPS Social Science Program.
The methodology used for the A.T. will serve as a model for other National Scenic and Historic Trails, ensuring other trail systems have the most accurate visitation numbers and data to improve management and visitor experience. The ATC partnered with Placer.ai to apply visitor location data to the A.T.
This is also the first time the Appalachian Trail will be included in the National Park Service’s Annual Park Ranking Report, which ranks visitation of national park units specifically on lands managed by the National Park Service. Approximately one-third of the A.T. is on NPS lands, and those parts of the A.T. experienced 6.2m visits in 2025, making the ANST the ninth most visited national park last year. The rest of the Trail is on USDA Forest Service land and public lands managed by state agencies and local townships.
“For more than a century, the Appalachian Trail has been a destination for millions of people from around the world to experience adventure, solace, and community while reconnecting with nature,” said Kurt Speers, chief ranger and acting superintendent of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
“We are grateful for the dedication of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the continued collaboration with the A.T. Maintaining Clubs and the Trail’s many partners, as we use this new data to enhance visitor experience.”
The ATC has also provided 2025 visitation data for each of the A.T.’s 14 states. Virginia, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, respectively, topped the list with the highest number of recreation visits to the A.T. in 2025.
“I’ve made some incredible memories while hiking the entire Appalachian Trail in Virginia, and I’m so glad that there were nearly 17m visits to this amazing trail last year,” said A.T. champion Senator Tim Kaine.
“Not only are trails like the A.T. great for our health and well-being, they are also vital to local economies throughout Virginia and the country. I’ve been proud to work with the ATC on legislation to protect and improve the trail, and I’ll keep doing all that I can to ensure the A.T. can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
“I’m glad to see the National Park Service take steps to measure and recognize the Appalachian Trail’s impact,” said A.T. champion Senator Thom Tillis.
“Millions of people experience the A.T. every year, and having better data will help ensure it gets the stewardship it deserves. I appreciate the work of trail partners and the National Park Service to move this effort forward.”
“Visitors to the Appalachian Trail help boost the economies of A.T. Communities like Damascus, Virginia, and support local businesses,” said Mayor Katie Lamb.
“The Town has a population of about 750 residents, yet we welcome an estimated 300,000 visitors annually. Each May, Damascus wholeheartedly welcomes around 25,000 people for the world’s largest celebration of the A.T. and hiker culture during the Appalachian Trail Days Festival. As Trail Town USA, we’re honoured to be a gateway to adventures on the A.T. and other nearby trails each year.”
For more than a century, the ATC has led the grassroots effort to care for the day-to-day management of the Appalachian Trail. While the A.T. is a unit of the National Park Service, it is a collaborative project that relies on the dedication and commitment of thousands of local A.T. Club volunteers and the ATC in partnership with public land managers. The cooperative management system is responsible for conserving the A.T. landscape, protecting wildlife, and maintaining the footpath, while also ensuring the Trail can receive millions of visitors each year.
