The Appalachian Trail Conservancy today announced new visitation data confirming the Appalachian National Scenic Trail had 16.9 million 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 6.2 million 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, which can be found at: appalachiantrail.org/visitation. Virginia, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, respectively, topped the list with the highest number of recreation visits to the A.T. in 2025. North Carolina took the fifth spot with 1.5 million visits.
Mayor recognizes impact
After learning about the work completed to tally visitation numbers, Franklin Mayor Stacy Guffey credited its and its users with strengthening the town’s economy, especially during thru-hiker season, which Franklin experiences and embraces each spring.
“Our Appalachian Trail visitors are part of a living story, a story carried across generations from the Cherokee and mountain families who walked these ridges before us,” said Guffey. “Today’s hikers are adding new chapters while supporting the community that surrounds them. Here in Franklin, they stay in our hotels, hostels, campgrounds, and motels; gather in our restaurants, breweries, and pubs; resupply at our outfitters and shops; and make use of the everyday services that keep our small town running.
“As the first designated Appalachian Trail Community, Franklin’s economy is stronger and its outdoor culture richer because of the hikers who pass through and become part of our story and make Franklin part of theirs,” Guffey said.
Tim Lindler, president of Nantahala Hiking Club in Franklin, one of 30 volunteer clubs whose members maintain the entire length of the trail, said, “It’s certainly gratifying to see in writing the number of people who use the trail, whether as a thru-hiker, section hiker or day hiker. Our club’s Trail Ambassadors welcome thru-hikers when they reach us at mile marker 110 on their journey to Maine, and our Maintainers work hard to keep all users safe.
“Our club members have even been known to provide a little Trail Magic from time to time, like our annual Chow Down lunch and the sweet treats handed out during Easter on the Trail,” he said.
In a similar complementary tone, A.T. Champion and NC Senator Thom Tillis expressed his appreciation to those involved with producing this valuable data.“I’m glad to see the National Park Service take steps to measure and recognize the Appalachian Trail’s impact,” said 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.”
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.
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Founded in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy works passionately to manage and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. As the only non-profit devoted exclusively to the entirety of the Trail and its landscape, we endeavor to keep its vast natural and scenic beauty healthy, resilient, and connected, so that everyone can experience its transformative power for generations to come. Together with our supporters, partners, and thousands of volunteers, we keep the Trail alive. To learn more, visit appalachiantrail.org.
About Nantahala Hiking Club
Founded in 1940 by the Rev. A. Rufus Morgan, Nantahala Hiking Club is one of 30 volunteer-led maintainer clubs working from Georgia to Maine to preserve and enhance the Appalachian Trail. Headquartered in Franklin, NHC holds true to its founder’s mantra to “keep ever clear the open trails that lead to the mountain tops.” More information about club activities and how to get involved is available at nantahalahikingclub.org
