Appalachian Trail Information and Hiking Articles

The following is a listing of closures that effect hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Updated: (03/29/20)

SHELTER AND PRIVY CLOSURE ALERT
Effective immediately, the National Park Service is closing all overnight shelters (56 total) and privies (75 total) on land administered by the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Park Office in the states of VA (10 shelters, 12 privies), MD (1 shelter, 2 privies), PA (8 shelters, 6 privies), NJ (1 shelter, 1 privy), NY (5 shelters, 5 privies), CT (7 shelters, 16 privies), MA (1 shelter, 4 privies), and ME (22 shelters, 29 privies). These closures are consistent with and in concurrence of our state and non-profit partners. These modifications to operations are in support of federal, state, and local efforts to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, partners, and local communities. These closures will be in effect until further notice.

SHUTTLE PROVIDERS
It is strongly recommended to call ahead to shuttle providers to verify that they are still providing their services do to the current Corona Virus issues.

NATIONWIDE
REI Stores – Nationwide – Closed until March 27th
https://www.rei.com/blog/news/eric-a...until-march-27

GEORGIA

Misty Mountain Inn – Blairsville, GA (Mile 31.3) – Closed Until Further Notice. (Source)

Mountain Crossings Hostel – Neel Gap (Mile 31) – Until Further notice. The hostel is closed, but the store remains open.


NORTH CAROLINA
Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) – Bryson City, NC (Mile 136.7) – Closed until March 29. General Store will remain open to thru-hikers for resupply and mail drops. Outfitter, Lodging, and Restaurants are closed. At this time there is no camping on site and the bathrooms will not be open overnight. https://noc.com/about/covid19

Graham County, NC - (mile 136.7) though (mile 166.7), Wesser to Fontana. Closed until further notice.

Cabins in the Woods – Robbinsville, NC (Mile 150.5) – Until Further Notice. Lodging is closed but shuttle service is still open.

Appalachian Inn – Robbinsville, NC (Mile 150.5) – Until further notice in accordance with Graham County restrictions (above) to lodging.

Fontana Lodge & Marina – Fontana Dam, NC (Mile 164.8) – Closed until further notice.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) trails are officially closed.
All trail heads between (mile 166.7) though (mile 275.0) are closed to hiking until further notice.

A Walk in the Woods (Shuttle & Resupply) – Gatlinburg, TN (Mile 207.8) – Closed until early April.
NOC Gatlinburg – Gatlinburg, TN (Mile 207.8) – Operations suspended until April 16.

The Day Hiker (resupply) – (Mile 207.8) – Until Further Notice.

Elmer’s Sunnybank Inn – Hot Springs, NC (Mile 275.0) – Closed until further notice
https://www.sunnybankretreatassociation.org/index.html

Laughing Heart Hostel – Hot Springs, NC (Mile 275.0) –Closed Indefinitely.

Appalachian Trail-er Bunkhouse (Blue Ridge Hiking Co.) – Hot Springs, NC (Mile 275.0) – Closed Until Further Notice


TENNESSEE
Natures Inn Hostel - Sams Gap. Flag Pond, TN (mile 319.8) Closed for the 2020 season, until further notice.

Uncle Johnny’s Hostel - Erwin, TN (Mile 344.4) Closed from 3/18/20 till 4/1/20.

Far Not Fast Hiker Home and Shuttle – Elizabethton, TN (Mile 428.6) – Closed until further notice.


VIRGINIA
The Place Hostel – Damascus, VA (Mile 470.7) – Closed for 2 weeks beginning March 13th.

SongPeddler Hostel – Damascus, VA (Mile 470.7) – Closed until further notice.

Mountain Laurel Inn – Damascus, VA (Mile 470.7) – Closed Until April 3

Sufi Lodge B&B and Hiker Hostel – Troutdale, VA (Mile 520.2) – Closed until April 13 then will reassess.
https://www.facebook.com/SufiLodge/p...34213603397708

Quarter Way Inn – Ceres, VA (Mile 555.8) – Closed until further notice. – Will NOT open April 1 as planned.

Saint Luke's Hostel – Burkes Garden, VA (Mile 576.0) – Until Further Notice. Still offering shuttle. No bunks available. Long term stay option is available for hiker trapped on trail.

Mountain Trails, Base Camp - Front Royal, VA (Mile 972.1) Closed until further notice.

Lickskillet Hostel – Bland, VA (Mile 604.9) – Closed Until Further Notice.

Woods Hole Hostel – Pearisburg, VA (Mile 625.4) – closed until further notice to drive in visitors. Will remain OPEN for thru-hikers!

Mountain Trails Basecamp – Front Royal, VA (Mile 972.1) – closed until further notice.


WEST VIRGINIA
ATC Visitor’s Center – Harpers Ferry, WV (Mile 1025.4) – Closed until further notice.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home.../trail-updates

MARYLAND
CLOSURE OF ALL OVERNIGHT CAMPING(3/20/2020) The Maryland Park Service has closed all shelters and camping areas along the Appalachian Trail in Maryland. Camping is also prohibited outside of these areas along the A.T. in Maryland, so hikers should postpone or cancel any overnight hiking plans for all 40 miles of A.T. in Maryland. The closure is scheduled to last until May 11, but this might be extended.

PENNSYLVANIA
Shelters on Pennsylvania DCNR Lands CLOSED
(3/20/2020) The following overnight A.T. shelters on Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry lands are closed:
- Deer Lick (mile 1071.7)
- Tumbling Run (mile 1075.3)
- Rocky Mountain (108.9)
- Quarry Gap (mile 1087.5)
- Birch Run (mile 1094.9)
- Toms Run (mile 1101.1)
- James Fry at Tagg Run (mile 1112.0)
- Eagles Nest (mile 1211.2)
- Leroy Smith (mile 1275.9)
- Kirkridge (mile 1289.6)

ATC Visitor Center – Boiling Springs, PA (Mile 1124.0) – Closed until further notice.

NEW JERSEY
ALERT: Shelters and Privies Closed in New Jersey - Overnight Camping Discouraged(3/20/2020) Shelters and privies on the A.T. in the state of New Jersey have been closed until further notice. Overnight camping is discouraged, though still allowed around the shelter; social distancing should be practiced and hikers should dig catholes more than 200 feet from water sources and campsites to bury human (and pet) waste. Camping in areas other than those designated by signs is also prohibited; campfires are also prohibited. The trail remains open. For more info, see the New Jersey A.T. Shelter Closure signage.


NEW YORK
Statewide – Until Further notice – Restaurants and bars closed (restaurants can offer takeout and delivery). https://www.northjersey.com/story/ne...hy/5057576002/

CONNECTICUT
Statewide – Until Further notice – Restaurants and bars closed (restaurants can offer takeout and delivery). https://www.northjersey.com/story/ne...hy/5057576002/

MASSACHUSETTS
Some State Park Facilities – Some are closed until April 1st. For a fluid list of closures, see link. All State Parks & Comfort Stations are remaining OPEN. Not sure which (if any)of the facility closures actually affect the AT:
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-poli...nservation-and

NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Notch Hostel – North Woodstock, NH (Mile 1819.9) – Closed until May 1
https://www.facebook.com/NotchHostel...type=3&theater

MAINE
Hostel of Maine – Carrabassett Valley, Maine (Mile 2004.8) – Closed Until the Sugarloaf Marathon in May
https://www.facebook.com/17339225168...6214298302632/

If you know of any other closings or changes please contact us so we can update this listing.The following is a listing of closures that effect hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Updated: (03/29/20)

Looking for suggestions for getting around the AT bridge that is closed at Harpers Ferry and do not wish to pay for a shuttle provider.
Here are some suggestions.

Owned and operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, the Blackburn Trail Center is located on the A.T. 12 miles south of Harpers Ferry. Blackburn is a premier stop for A.T. thru-hikers and day hikers alike. It is also used for Trail Club meetings, crew work trips, training workshops, and large group rentals. The caretaker’s duties will include: maintaining the Trail Center, Hiker’s Cabin, and campground. Should have experience in offering comfort and company to weary A.T. hikers. Flexibility and ability to get along with wide variety of people a must! Prefer couple with knowledge of the A.T. and hikers’ needs. Stipend offered along with a fabulous summer experience. Dates runs from April 1 through October 31 though there is possibility of growing into full-time position. If interested, send a letter of application, resume’ and professional/personal references to: Chris Brunton, P.O. Box 169 Harpers Ferry WV 25425 or email [email protected]. If you have questions call Chris at: (703) 967-2226.

SHIPPING NOW! 2020 Edition of WhiteBlaze Pages
Have books in hand and I am shipping them to customers today.
https://www.whiteblazepages.com/store/whiteblaze-pages-books/whiteblaze-pages-2020/

The much awaited Appalachian Trail shuttle listing has been done and revised.
In 2018 the ATC stopped providing a shuttle provider listing on their web site. They contacted WhiteBlaze, letting me know that they would no longer be providing a shuttle listing. They asked me if I would continue providing a shuttle provider listing and I gladly accepted.
For almost a year now WhiteBlaze has been going through the old listing and contacting everyone they could. Those that could not be contacted were removed from the listing.
I also changed the format of the listing. I tried to come up with an easier way to present the listing. I hope this helps everyone.
If you would like to be added to the shuttle provider listing please contact us at the link at the top of the listing.
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/at-shuttles.php

The new 2020 Appalachian Trail hostel listing is now up and posted on here on WhiteBlaze for viewing and downloading.
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/at-hostels.php

The new 2020 Appalachian Trail shelters listing is now up and posted on the WhiteBlaze web site for viewing and downloading.
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/at-shelters.php