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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Easy Hike: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
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First Day Hike at Cacapon Resort State Park, WV
First Day Hike in Rock Creek: 6 Mile Southern Loop
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Leisurely Hike at Sky Meadows. Meet one of Our New PATC Hike Leaders, Michael!
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Great Falls, Virginia 4.6-mile hike
Washington after Dark. An easy 5-mile hike.
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Vigorous Hikers
6:30pm Trail Patrol meeting
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Easy Hike: Lake Frank, Rockville, MD (5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD)
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Exploring Seneca Creek, a 6.5 Mile Hike
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Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary: A Moderate 6 or 8.5 Mile Hike
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Vigorous Hikers
5:30pm New Member Meeting (Virtual)
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Easy Hike: Needwood Mansion 6700 Needwood Road, Derwood, MD 20855
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Vigorous Hikers
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Easy Hike: Sugarloaf Mt., MD Sugarloaf Mt. Drive, West View Parking Lot
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Vigorous Hikers
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Easy Hike: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station, VA The park is just south of 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, VA
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Tuscarora-Bear Wallow GWNF 5 Mi 900 Ft Moderate Hike
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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.