The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is currently searching for volunteers to help maintain the Appalachian Trail through the Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew program. No previous trail experience is required — just a desire to work hard, live in the backcountry and have a great time among new friends. All food, tools and equipment will be provided at no cost.
This is a mobile crew, carrying all food, tools and camping gear into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The crew focuses on the difficult trail problems that occur in the backcountry with the tools they carry in and the materials that they find. Each crew works six days in the field repairing the trail, building steps, and clearing the trail.
Both of these all-volunteer trail crews are led by paid trail crew professionals who teach volunteers trail stewardship and Leave No Trace skills during the multi-day adventure.