Honoring the Past

In 1927, Calvin Coolidge sat in the White House. A movie ticket cost a quarter. The Appalachian Trail existed as a line on Benton MacKaye’s 1921 map and almost nowhere else on the ground. That November, a small group of hikers met in Washington and decided the line on the map was not enough. They formed the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and went into the Virginia and Maryland mountains with axes. They were not paid. They went anyway.

What began as a grassroots effort quickly grew into  one of the largest volunteer-driven organizations in the region, founded on the belief that the outdoors should be protected, enjoyed, and shared by all.

In those early years, PATC members blazed trails by hand, built shelters from local timber and stone, published some of the region's first hiking maps and guidebooks, and established a culture of volunteer stewardship that remains the heart of the organization today. Long before conservation became a national movement, PATC volunteers recognized that preserving wild places required more than admiration—it required action. Their dedication helped shape not only the Appalachian Trail but also a lasting ethic of service that continues to inspire generations of outdoor enthusiasts.

A hundred years later, we are still at it.

Celebrating the Present

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is driven by the passion and dedication of an incredible community of more than 7,000 members and 1,000 active volunteers.

Together, they steward over 1,200 miles of trails across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., including 240 miles of the Appalachian Trail and the entire 250-mile Tuscarora Trail. Beyond the trails, PATC volunteers care for 49 historic cabins, 47 backcountry shelters, and nearly 3,500 acres of conserved land, ensuring these treasured places remain accessible for all who seek adventure, solitude, and connection with nature.

Each year, PATC volunteers contribute an extraordinary 90,000 hours of service—clearing blowdowns, repairing bridges, controlling erosion, preserving historic structures, protecting sensitive landscapes, publishing maps and guidebooks, educating outdoor enthusiasts, and supporting countless behind-the-scenes operations that make our mission possible. Their collective efforts represent more than volunteerism; they embody a shared commitment to conservation, stewardship, and the belief that our public lands are worth protecting.

Inviting the Future

As the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club looks toward its next century, we do so with the same spirit of optimism and purpose that inspired our founders nearly 100 years ago. While our mission remains steadfast, the world around us continues to evolve. Growing demand for outdoor recreation, changing landscapes, emerging conservation challenges, and new technologies all present opportunities to strengthen our impact and expand our reach.

The next 100 years will be shaped by the people who choose to carry this legacy forward. By welcoming new members, inspiring the next generation of volunteers, embracing diverse perspectives, and fostering meaningful partnerships, PATC will continue to build a community united by a shared love of the outdoors and a commitment to stewardship.

The founders of PATC could not have imagined the thousands of volunteers, miles of trails, and lasting conservation legacy that would grow from their vision. Today, we have the privilege—and the responsibility—to imagine what comes next. Together, we will continue to protect the landscapes we cherish, inspire new generations of outdoor stewards, and ensure that the trails we build today will lead others toward adventure, community, and conservation for the next 100 years and beyond.