The Trails Won’t Keep Themselves.
Together, We Do.
Every step on the trail, every night spent in a PATC cabin, every acre of protected land exists because people like you choose to care for them.
When you work on a trail, book a cabin, make a gift, or simply choose to hike, you’re part of a network that keeps the Mid-Atlantic outdoors alive. What began nearly a century ago has only grown stronger. Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) members and friends care for a trail network that has expanded to 1,100 miles of trail, 49 historic cabins, 47 shelters, and nearly 3,500 acres of conservation land.
Today, your role matters more than ever. Our land managers and agency partners are stretched thin. Longtime volunteers are passing the torch. Cabin use is surging. Without people like you, trails and wild spaces across our region would become inaccessible or lost altogether.
-“When you step onto a well-kept trail or unlock a PATC cabin, you’re walking in the footsteps of thousands of people who, like you, chose to give back to the outdoors.”
Trails
PATC manages over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, including 240 miles of AT. We provide trail and shelter maintenance with the help of dedicated volunteers.
Cabins
PATC maintains 49 cabins, to provide hiking and outdoor experiences for its members and the public. These cabins can be found throughout Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Outreach
PATC offers a variety of outreach programs for the community. Join us for a group hike or attend one of our upcoming events to learn about ways you can get involved.
Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming Events
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Vigorous Hikers
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Blockhouse: A Moderate 8-Mile Hike Near Potomac, MD
Easy Hike, 10:15 am, Eastern Market to Congressional Cemetery
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Bacon Ridge Natural Area South: A 7 or 9.4 Mile Moderate Hike
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Trail Patrol Meeting
Vigorous Hikers
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Easy Hike, 10:15 am, Prince William Forest Park, Triangle VA
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Balls Bluff, VA: A Moderate 6.3-Mile Hike
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Vigorous Hikers
5:30pm New Member Meeting (Virtual)
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Easy Hike, 10:15 am, US National Arboretum-Washington, DC
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Charlottesville Chapter Open House
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Vigorous Hikers
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Easy Hike, 10:15 am, Kensington Rambler
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Cadillac Trail Crew Overnight Work Trip
Backpacking 101, Tentative Dates for Spring Class
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Vigorous Hikers
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Easy Hike, 10:15 am, C&O Canal Towpath, Pennyfield Lock to Swains Lock and Back, Potomac MD
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Check out our Newsletter
Conservation + Land
Management
PATC currently owns 39 properties, totaling more than 2,000 acres. In addition, the club also manages several leased properties and lands containing trail and scenic easements.
Shelters
Along the trails are a series of three-sided shelters for backpackers and thru-hikers. PATC maintains 45 Shelters along the AT, as well as the Tuscarora Trail and George Washington National Forest. PATC assigns volunteers to maintain the shelters throughout the year.
Classes + Workshops
Want to learn what to pack for a backpacking trip? Or maybe you want to add a Wilderness First Aid Certification to your resume? Check out our skills classes and workshops.
GIS + Mapping
PATC has been a proud source for mapping trails and wilderness areas for decades, including some of your favorite State and National Parks. PATC maps have become well known as the most authoritative sources for backcountry information in the region.