Can you camp wherever you want on the Appalachian Trail?

Hikers are required to stay at designated campsites or shelter sites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, the Triple Crown/McAfee Knob area of central Virginia, and many areas from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia northward.



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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy encourages backpackers sleeping in tents to camp at designated campsites to minimize the impact on the natural habitat.

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6 Mistakes to Avoid on the Appalachian Trail from a Backpacking Guide
  • Being a Litterbug. Trash along the AT in New York before being packed out by a 2023 thru-hiker. ...
  • Storing Food Improperly. ...
  • Not Respecting Wildlife. ...
  • Feeling Entitled Just Because You Walked There. ...
  • Pushing Past Your Limits. ...
  • Not Stopping to Smell the Roses.


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Showers. Showers are rarely available right on the ?A.T. Hikers usually shower while at hostels or hotels in towns; less common are campgrounds with shower facilities. To bathe in the backcountry, carry water 200 feet from the water source in a container and rinse or wash yourself away from streams, springs and ponds.

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Rates for overnight stays in the bunkrooms are: $25 per night without meals?, including sheets, blanket, wash cloth & towel. $35 with meals (includes dinner of pizza, beverage and fruit/salad, and breakfast of coffee, pancakes, juice, and fruit).

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Damascus, Virginia certainly qualifies as one of the latter. This tiny locale in the southwestern portion of the state has gained the nickname of “Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail,” and you'll quickly discover why. The famous A.T. runs right through town, and the locals love it.

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There are usually only two options on the Trail for when nature calls: using a privy or digging a cat hole in the woods.

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According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, most hikers take between five and seven months to complete the AT end to end. According to our data, that translates to an average pace of 14 to 20 miles per day for most hikers.

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Although the Park may have natural sources of clean, potable water, most springs and water sources along the trails are unprotected and susceptible to contamination by disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.

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