Connecting People to

the Outdoors Since 1927

Join VolunteerFest October 11th to celebrate, cultivate, and connect with other members.  Register here   before September 27.

For 98 years, PATC has been serving the outdoor community through creating and maintaining trails, cabins, and shelters throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. PATC strives to connect people with the outdoors through outreach events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.

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.

The sun is shining through the trees in the forest.

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.

A man and a woman are sitting on a porch overlooking mountains.

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.

A group of people are posing for a picture in the woods near a lake.

Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Events

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Vigorous Hikers

5:30pm New Member Meeting

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Easy Hike: Cabin John Trail 10:15AM

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Trail Maintenance Work Crew: North Mountain Brigade

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Rock Creek Western Ridge, Northern Section; 7.3 or 10.2  Miles

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Vigorous Hikers

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Easy Hike: Rock Creek Park (Valley Trail and western Ridge Trail) 10:15 AM

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Savage Park: Wincopin Trail Area: A Moderate 6.5 Mile Hike!

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Tentative Date: Backpacking 101

Outreach Event - In the Streets Festival (Frederick, MD)

Rock Creek Park Trail Work

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Prince William Forest Park: Laurel Loop Area: A 12 Mile Hike

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Vigorous Hikers

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Easy Hike: Rock Creek Park, Nature Center 10:15 AM

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Woodstock, MD a 7 or 10.5 Mile Hike

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September 24, 10:15 a.m.  Seneca Creek State Park

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Trail Maintenance Work Crew: North Mountain Brigade

Rock Creek Park Trail Work

Check out our Newsletter

By Jess LaPolla May 29, 2025
PATC Ridgerunners for 2025 By Jess LaPolla
By Meg Drennan May 29, 2025
Volunteer Profile: Dan Hippe, PATC Ridgerunner Coordinator By Meg Drennan
By Jess LaPolla May 29, 2025
50 Years of PATC Cabins By Jess LaPolla
Show More

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.

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A path in the middle of a forest with lots of trees
A stone shelter with a picnic table inside of it in the woods.

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.

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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.

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A group of people are sitting around a picnic table in the woods.
A group of people are sitting at a picnic table looking at a map.

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.

Learn More