Volunteer Vacations

• $450: First Trip per Calendar Year
• $375: Additional Trips per Calendar Year

***The registration fee and travel associated with your volunteer trip is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

***Many companies will provide paid time off for volunteer work, match your volunteer registration fee, and even match travel expenses incurred to volunteer.  See if your company has a Matching Program

• Food during the trip duration (with the exception of meals out)
• Entrance to park/forest, backcountry permits, campground fees, cabin or lodging fees (These fees could run upwards of $100 for a typical week in a U.S. National Park/Forest)
• Accommodations for the trip in a campsite, group lodge, bunkhouse, cabin or similar
• Use of tools and safety equipment
• Group supervision, logistics planning, and meal planning from experienced Crew Leaders
• Exclusive American Hiking Society Volunteer long-sleeved shirt

* American Hiking is a non-profit organization. In addition to the inclusions listed above, the registration fee helps offset the costs associated with coordinating the logistics and marketing of more than 50 different projects in 30 states every year. The Volunteer Vacation registration fee only covers a portion of the actual costs to run this nationwide program, including the hours of staff time to organize and plan trips, recruit hosts, train crew leaders, and ensure that volunteers have a memorable experience. We’re also working diligently to secure funding for Volunteer Vacations from our federal partners, corporate sponsors, individual donations, and other sources to minimize registration fees.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and from across the country. Age ranges from 15 to 80. Volunteers under the age of 18 are welcome on certain trips if accompanied by a legal guardian. Each trip lists the minimum age allowed on the project details page. While each trip usually has a couple or two, or friends traveling together, many participants travel alone. If you have never done trail maintenance before, we welcome you! While we do ask that volunteers are in good physical condition, prior trail maintenance experience is not necessary on any of our trips. There is a wide variety of tasks on each trip and there is always something for everyone to do. (We do strongly recommend prior backpacking experience for trips designated with backpacking to a remote location.) If you are interested in our Alternative Break Program, please visit our Alternative Break page.

Volunteer Vacations are rated to help you find a project that suits your needs and physical ability. While trips do not require prior trail maintenance experience, all of our projects require participants to be in good physical condition and will involve 6-8 hours of physical labor a day. Projects are rated from ‘easy’ to ‘very strenuous’.  Please read the project descriptions carefully, honestly assess your physical capabilities, and choose one that fits your experience level and current health. Read more information about our project ratings and how to choose a trip that is right for you in our Project Guide.

Starting in 2024, the trip duration for available Volunteer Vacations will vary. Volunteers will have the opportunity to choose from week-long or weekend trips.

Week-long and weekend trips will both provide the same access to accommodations and resources. Weekend trips allow you to make a difference on the trails you love over a condensed yet impactful period.

Considerations when deciding the length of trip to join may include your physical capabilities, experience level, current health, travel timeframe and availability, and project rating.

The start date listed for each project is the travel/meeting date.  The meeting time will generally be in the late afternoon of the start date to allow morning and early afternoon travel.  The project work will begin the following day.  For backpacking trips, the crew will generally camp at the trailhead or other temporary accommodations for the first night, and then hike into basecamp the following morning.  The end date listed for each project is used as a camp cleanup/travel day.  Generally, no work will be done on this date.

Volunteers are responsible for all travel costs to and from the site. Many hosts offer an airport pickup. When we confirm the project, we will provide you with the travel instructions including airport pickup and departure times and the designated meeting place. Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have received a project confirmation. If the project is canceled due to low attendance or unforeseen circumstances, American Hiking cannot be held responsible for loss of funds due to canceled or changed travel itineraries.

If the host cannot provide an airport pickup, it is the responsibility of the volunteer to get to the site. We provide a list of participants in the confirmation email and you might coordinate with some of your fellow crew members to carpool. Airport shuttles, renting a car, or driving your personal vehicle are all options if the host cannot provide an airport pickup.

*Travel expenses for public service projects may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Food is included in your registration fee for all Volunteer Vacations.  The American Hiking crew leader or project host will coordinate the menu for the week based on the dietary restrictions/preferences you list on your registration forms. If possible, the crew leader will shop in advance of the trip for groceries.

• Dietary Restrictions/Needs: We will try to accommodate dietary restrictions and needs within reason.  Please be sure to list any dietary restrictions on your registration form and reiterate them to the crew leader. If your needs are extensive or expensive, you may be asked to bring some of your own food. We ask that all volunteers be flexible. 
• Group Meals and Chores: Food preparation, meal clean-up, and other camp chores (firewood collection, cleaning tools, etc.) are split between the crew. The crew leader or host will delegate these duties to the crew upon arrival. ALL volunteers are expected to pitch into the efforts on the trail, as well as at camp.
• Meals outside of the scheduled menu: Volunteers cover the cost of meals eaten out or any personal additions that were not planned by the crew leader or host.