Do I need a permit to thru-hike Appalachian Trail?
Yes. You need a permit to thru-hike Appalachian Trail, and it is issued in person rather than booked online. The permit is the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike.
Permit required
What the Appalachian Trail permit costs and covers
- Fee
- Free to hike; individual jurisdictions charge $0-$44.50 (see permitsAlongTrail)
- Season starts
- Late February-April (NOBO departures from Springer Mountain)
- Season ends
- Hikers aim to summit Katahdin before October 15, when Baxter State Park's trail season effectively ends
What the rules require
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires the AT Thru-Hiker Activity Pass ($44.50) for the ~71 miles inside the park.
- Shenandoah National Park requires a Recreation.gov backcountry permit ($9/person + $6 fee) for the ~100 miles inside the park.
- Baxter State Park requires a free, in-person Long-Distance Hiker Permit at Katahdin Stream Campground before summiting Katahdin.
Published rules for the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, quoted as written.
Getting one
Dates for Appalachian Trail sell out and then come back as people cancel. PermitSnag checks Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike and tells you the moment one reappears.
Common questions about the Appalachian Trail permit
Do I need a permit to thru-hike Appalachian Trail?
Yes. You need a permit to thru-hike Appalachian Trail, and it is issued in person rather than booked online. The permit is the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike.
How much does a Appalachian Trail permit cost?
Free to hike; individual jurisdictions charge $0-$44.50 (see permitsAlongTrail).
When is the Appalachian Trail permit season?
Season starts: Late February-April (NOBO departures from Springer Mountain). Season ends: Hikers aim to summit Katahdin before October 15, when Baxter State Park's trail season effectively ends.