Trail Conditions

09/03/2026

Volunteers with the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club (RATC) and the ATC Ridgerunner for the area report very dry conditions for the Virginia Triple Crown section of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) (approx. NOBO miles 697.5 to 731.1). Some water sources at overnight sites and shelters are dry, and others have a very low flow. Hikers should be prepared to scoop water from these pools/puddles, and be prepared to carry extra water. Water sources along the A.T. are natural and not potable; always treat backcountry water sources. Learn more on our Water & Water Treatment page and see the CDC water treatment table below.

The RATC periodically shares a water report for the Triple Crown. See their website and Facebook page for more water source information and information about camping rules and parking for the Triple Crown.

08/20/2026

Update: A permanent relocation for the lower portion of the Andy Layne Trail is complete and a new parking lot has been built thanks to collaboration between the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club, and Roanoke Cement. Hikers can now access the Andy Layne Trail via a newly built trailhead with expanded parking for 50 cars. The new trailhead is 0.8 miles south of the North Mountain Trailhead (the old Andy Layne trailhead) and is still pending a street address. However, hikers can easily locate the new parking lot by copying these coordinates into their chosen map app: 37°26’52.9″N 80°00’54.0″W.

For backpackers doing the Triple Crown loop:

You’ll need to walk along Catawba Road/VA 779 for 0.8 miles between the new trailhead and the Catawba Valley Trail, which connects with the North Mountain Trail. Be extremely careful walking along the road, do not walk along the road at night, and make sure cars can see you. There is little to no shoulder along Catawba Road/VA 779.

More Info:

For more information about the project, read our news story. For information about visiting the Virginia Triple Crown (Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs), including maps and parking info, visit the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club’s website.

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02/09/2026

There is a temporary detour in effect for the lower portion of the Andy Layne Trail that routes hikers away from construction activities on Roanoke Cement property. The Andy Layne Trail is an Appalachian Trail (A.T.) side trail that provides access to Tinker Cliffs and is marked by blue blazes (NOBO mile 720.6).

Hikers can access the detour from a field and gravel parking area a half mile south of the North Mountain trailhead (the old Andy Layne trailhead) on Catawba Road/VA 779. The temporary parking area is marked by a signboard and a fenced area containing a large solar panel. The blue-blazed detour leaves from the gravel pull-off and winds 0.4 mi through a field before connecting with the Andy Layne Trail between Little Catawba Creek and Catawba Creek, near a fence gate. See the map below.

For backpackers doing the Triple Crown loop:

You’ll need to walk along Catawba Road/VA 779 for 0.5 miles from the new detour parking area and the Catawba Valley Trail, which connects with the North Mountain Trail. Be extremely careful walking along the road, do not walk along the road at night, and make sure cars can see you. There is little to no shoulder along Catawba Road/VA 779.

More Info:

For more information about the project and timeline, visit Roanoke Cement’s website. For information about visiting the Virginia Triple Crown (Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs), including maps and parking info, visit the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club’s website.

08/11/2026

The ATC has received two reports over the last week of concerning bear activity around Rhododendron Gap in southwest Virginia (NOBO mile 500.2). One report described a large bear that showed little fear of humans and came within 10 feet of people. The other reported that a bear defeated a 10-foot-high bear hang and stole hiker food.

Before you leave for your hike and while on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.):

• Educate yourself on bear safety and proper food storage before leaving for the Trail.
• Exercise caution in areas with frequent bear activity
• Properly store all food, trash, and scented items at night in the provided bear boxes or a bear canister
• Keep a clean camp by picking up crumbs and cleaning up spills.
• Pack out all trash and food waste.
• Never leave unsecured food unattended – even for a moment such as a quick trip to the privy or to check out a view.
• Never sleep with your food or trash.

The ATC strongly recommends that all overnight hikers use a bear canister for their trips, no matter the area or time of year. Bear canisters have shown to be the most effective and reliable method of food storage on the A.T. The ATC’s Damascus Trail Center now has a bear canister lending program.

Did you encounter a bear acting strangely along the Trail (showing little fear of humans, entering a campsite, stealing food, acting aggressively, etc.)? Report the encounter here. Reporting bear encounters helps keep bears and hikers safe.

07/28/2026

Severe thunderstorms are forecast through this evening for much of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from North Carolina up through Vermont. The National Weather Service predicts that some of the storms will produce damaging gusts of winds and tornadoes and flash flooding is predicted in some areas. Tornado watches are in effect for parts of Virginia and Maryland. Flash flood watches are in effect for parts of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

The storms could blow down trees and cause damage to the Trail, infrastructure, and limit access to trailheads. Sections of the A.T. that were damaged by Hurricane Helene are especially prone to impacts. Always look up before stopping or setting up camp on the A.T. and never stop or camp near dead, diseased, damaged, or leaning standing trees. Hikers who visit the Trail after the storms should be prepared to encounter storm damage.

Check the forecast at weather.gov and visit NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center for more details about the incoming storms.

07/17/2026

Air quality alerts are in effect for most of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Virginia through Vermont. Air quality ranges from Moderate to Very Unhealthy in Virginia, to Hazardous in parts of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Air quality improves slightly to Unhealthy and Moderate as the Trail moves northward through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Air quality is more likely to become Hazardous in low-lying areas where smoke collects, and is forecast to worsen into this evening until a storm front arrives tonight.

When air quality reaches Very Unhealthy, officials advise that “Everyone should avoid all physical outdoor activity.” When air quality reaches Hazardous, officials advise that “Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity.”

For more details, visit the AirNow Interactive Air Quality Map.

06/16/2026

Update: The ATC received a report of a mother bear and cubs getting hiker food at Catawba Mountain Shelter (NOBO mile 713.3). The bears were not scared of the people present, stole their dinner, and got into trash that had been left behind by others. Hikers should be extremely careful in this area. Always store your food properly overnight and pack out all trash. See below for more important food storage and bear safety guidelines.

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2026 Reminder:

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) near McAfee Knob has been a hot spot for bear activity in the last few years, including food conditioned bears showing little fear of humans. Bears are especially active around Campbell Shelter and Pig Farm Campsite. Bears live along the entire Trail through Virginia.

Before you leave for your hike and while on the A.T.:

• Educate yourself on bear safety and proper food storage before leaving for the Trail.
• Exercise caution in areas with frequent bear activity
• Properly store all food, trash, and scented items at night in the provided bear boxes or a bear canister
• Keep a clean camp by picking up crumbs and cleaning up spills.
• Pack out all trash and food waste.
• Never leave unsecured food unattended – even for a moment such as a quick trip to the privy or to check out a view. 

Per a National Park Service regulation, A.T. hikers in the Triple Crown area of Virginia are required to properly store food, trash, and scented items in one of the following ways overnight:

• Using official storage devices (bear cables, bear boxes, or bear poles)
• Within a bear resistant container approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee
• Using a bear hang that is at least 12 feet off the ground and at least 6 feet from the tree trunk and branches.

The ATC strongly recommends that all overnight hikers use a bear canister for their trips, no matter the area or time of year. Never sleep with your food or trash.

Did you encounter a bear acting strangely along the Trail (showing little fear of humans, entering a campsite, stealing food, acting aggressively, etc.)? Report the encounter here.

05/08/2026

The U.S. Forest Service has issued fire restrictions for the Mount Rogers High Country between Beech Mountain Road and Massie Gap (NOBO mile 489.4 to 502.4). Creating and maintaining campfires is prohibited. Hikers should use extreme caution with camp stoves and when smoking. Pack out all trash.

This area is home to rare and critically imperiled southern spruce-fir forest. A host of rare, threatened, and endangered species depend on this forest. Storm debris and downed trees left by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024 create the perfect fuel for wildfires to spread quickly, putting this unique ecosystem at risk. Help protect this special place by following the fire restrictions.

The ATC strongly urges all A.T. hikers to not have campfires anywhere between Davenport Gap and the New River at Pearisburg, VA (NOBO miles 239.4 to 637.8) due to all the downed trees from Helene, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. Learn more about Helene’s impact on the A.T. and how to stay safe in storm damaged areas on our Helene page.

For more information about the fire restrictions, visit the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests’ website.

07/13/2026

Update: ATC has not received any new reports of suspected norovirus along the A.T. in Virginia since late June! Hopefully the GI illness that was affecting A.T. hikers has passed. However, all visitors should continue to wash their hands with soap and water and follow other precautions below to prevent illness. Please report GI illness and stomach upset along the Trail to [email protected].

• Do not eat out of the same food bag, share utensils, or drink from other hikers’ water bottles.
• Wash your hands with biodegradable soap (200 feet from water sources) before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, and after using the bathroom. Hand sanitizer may be ineffective against some causes of stomach bug, like norovirus.
• In areas where stomach bug has been reported, also consider washing your hands with soap and water after touching gear that has come into contact with the ground or other shared surfaces: your shoes, pack, stuff sacks, etc.
• Treat all water. Filters do not get rid of viruses. To learn best how to treat your water, see the CDC table below.
• Follow Leave No Trace guidelines for disposing of human waste: if no privy is available, bury your feces at 6-8 inches deep in a cat hole that’s at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from water, campsites, and trails. Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom.

Learn more about stomach bug on the A.T. and how to stay healthy here.

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06/15/2026:

Update: The ATC received a report of suspected norovirus in Shenandoah National Park at Blackrock Hut (NOBO mile 885.8). Continue to take the precautions listed below, most importantly washing your hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizer may be ineffective against norovirus. Most commercially available water filters do not filter our viruses. See the table below for more info or visit appalachiantrail.org/norovirus.

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06/12/2026

Update: Reports are now coming in of suspected norovirus and gastro-intestinal illness along the A.T. between Buena Vista and Waynesboro, VA (NOBO miles 809.8 to 865.3). Continue to take the precautions listed below, most importantly washing your hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizer may be ineffective against norovirus.

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05/07/2026

ATC has received several reports of hikers experiencing a stomach bug/gastro-intestinal illness near the Virginia Triple Crown and along the Blue Ridge Parkway up to around Rockfish Gap (NOBO miles 697.5 to 731.1 and NOBO miles 823.9 to 865.1).just no

Take the following precautions to prevent getting sick on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.):

• Do not eat out of the same food bag, share utensils, or drink from other hikers’ water bottles.
• Wash your hands with biodegradable soap (200 feet from water sources) before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, and after using the bathroom. Hand sanitizer may be ineffective against some causes of stomach bug, like norovirus.
• In areas where stomach bug has been reported, also consider washing your hands with soap and water after touching gear that has come into contact with the ground or other shared surfaces: your shoes, pack, stuff sacks, etc.
• Treat all water. Filters do not get rid of viruses. To learn best how to treat your water, see the CDC table below.
• Follow Leave No Trace guidelines for disposing of human waste: if no privy is available, bury your feces at 6-8 inches deep in a cat hole that’s at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from water, campsites, and trails. Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom.

If you or someone you encounter gets sick on the A.T., please report it to [email protected] and respond to the follow-up prompts. Reporting helps Trail managers and local health officials track issues on the Trail and implement measures to disinfect shelters.

If you get sick on the Trail, isolate and stay hydrated. Seek medical attention if needed. Learn more about stomach bug on the A.T. and how to stay healthy here.

04/30/2026

The Front Royal Police Department is asking for the public’s help in trying to locate John Marshall Nunn, a 60-year-old white male, standing approximately 6’0″ tall. John has brown hair, hazel eyes, and wears glasses. See a photo below in the missing person flier. John was last seen on April 12, 2026 at the Baymont Inn in Front Royal, VA, and was hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). He is considered endangered due to medical reasons. If you have any information as to John’s whereabouts, please call Detective J.A. Miller with the Front Royal Police Department at 540-636-2208 or email [email protected].

05/13/2026

Update: The Cherokee National Forest burn ban has been lifted.

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04/23/2026

The Cherokee National Forest is enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow, April 24, 2026 until further notice. Under the ban, campfires are prohibited along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the following sections, but camp stoves are allowed.

The enactment of this burn ban means that, except for in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, campfires are not allowed along the A.T. from Georgia to the the Tennessee/Virginia state line (NOBO miles 0.0 to 167 and 239.4 to 467.3).

There are current burn bans in effect for Georgia and North Carolina. Reminder that there is already a five year burn ban in effect on the A.T. in the Roan Highlands, and areas damaged by Hurricane Helene are especially prone to wildfires due to storm debris.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk and fire danger does not begin/end at land management boundaries. There is elevated fire risk for the entire region.

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

04/16/2026

The National Park Service has issued a burn ban for the Virginia Triple Crown area due to elevated fire risk. This ban covers the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from VA 624/Newport Road to VA 652/Mountain Pass Road (NOBO miles 705.4 to 733.1).

Campfires are prohibited in this section at this time. Camp stoves are allowed, but hikers should be extremely careful when using them.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. Periods of hot, dry, windy weather mean high fire danger. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk.

There is still a seasonal campfire restriction in Virginia and a burn ban in Shenandoah National Park, too. Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T.

05/04/2026

Update: The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest has lifted the forest-wide burn ban effective today.

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04/16/2026

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow, April 17, 2026, until further notice due to elevated wildfire risk. Under the ban, campfires are prohibited along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in Georgia, but camp stoves are allowed.

Last week, ATC ridgerunners encountered 10 unattended campfires on the A.T. Always make sure your fire is completely out and cold before leaving it unattended.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. Periods of hot, dry, windy weather mean high fire danger. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk.

The ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at any time in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene (Davenport Gap near I-40 to Pearisburg, VA), due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris.

Several other states and sections of the A.T. have burn bans in effect already, including North Carolina.

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

05/04/2026

Update: Elevated fire risk continues to be a concern for the A.T. from northern Virginia into Massachusetts. Hikers should continue to not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

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04/17/2026

Update: Elevated fire risk continues to be a concern for the A.T. from Georgia through Pennsylvania. Burn bans are in effect for the A.T. in Georgia, North Caroline, the Triple Crown area of Virginia, and Shenandoah National Park.  Hikers should continue to not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

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04/13/2026

The National Weather Service has issued special weather statements regarding the elevated fire risk for areas along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Tennessee through central Pennsylvania, and a red flag warning for the A.T. in Georgia. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring, which are generally a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds.

These warnings are in place for most of the effected counties into this evening. However, fire weather conditions may continue for the rest of the week in some areas.

There have already been several wildfires near the A.T. in Georgia and North Carolina, and there’s a wildfire burning along the Trail in Pennsylvania. Both Pennsylvania and Virginia have seasonal burn bans in place.

Hikers should not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

05/04/2026

Update: As of this morning, the burn ban for the National Forests of North Carolina is lifted. The statewide burn ban in North Carolina was lifted yesterday, too, thanks to recent rain. Campfires are once again allowed along the A.T. from the GA/NC state line to Fontana Dam (NOBO miles 78.3 to 167).

Burn bans are still in effect in the following sections of the southern A.T.:

• In Georgia
• Effectively from Davenport Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 239.4 to 392.6).
  • Note that this section is mostly right along the NC/TN state line. There is still a burn ban in effect in Cherokee National Forest in TN. It is up to hikers to know which state they are in. Remember, too, that fire danger does not stop and end at state lines.
• The Roan Highlands (this is a five year burn ban)
• The Virginia Triple Crown area

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

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04/23/2026

Update: Cherokee National Forest is also enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow. This means that, except for in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, campfires are not allowed along the A.T. from Georgia to the the Tennessee/Virginia state line (NOBO miles 0.0 to 167 and 239.4 to 467.3).

There is a burn ban in effect for Georgia as well. Reminder that there is already a five year burn ban in effect on the A.T. in the Roan Highlands, and areas damaged by Hurricane Helene are especially prone to wildfires due to storm debris.

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04/14/2026

Update: The National Forests of North Carolina are enacting a forest-wide burn ban starting tomorrow, April 15, 2026 until further notice. Under the ban, campfires are prohibited along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the following sections, but camp stoves are allowed. The statewide burn ban is still in effect, too.

• From the GA/NC state line to Fontana Dam (NOBO miles 78.3 to 167).
• Effectively from Davenport Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 239.4 to 392.6).
  • Note that this section is mostly right along the NC/TN state line. It is up to hikers to know which state they are in. Remember, too, that fire danger does not stop and end at state lines.
• Reminder that there is already a five year burn ban in effect on the A.T. in the Roan Highlands.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

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04/02/2026

Update: Due to high wildfire risk, the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning statewide, effective 6PM Saturday, March 28 until further notice. The burn ban includes no campfires, no open-flame stoves (fuel stoves are permitted), and no fireworks or sparklers.

Avery and Mitchell counties also have their own, more restrictive burn bans in place that apply to the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from approximately Indian Grave Gap to Doll Flats (NOBO miles 352.9 to 392.6). There is also a five year burn ban on the A.T. from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats.

A.T. hikers should always refrain from having campfires during times of high fire danger, regardless of whether an official burn ban is in place. High fire danger means periods of hot, dry, windy weather. Note that short periods of rain do not necessarily lower fire risk. ATC urges hikers to not have campfires at anytime in areas damaged by Hurricane Helene, due to the heightened fire risk posed by downed trees and storm debris (Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA).

Learn more about wildfire risk on the A.T. and safety when hiking through Helene-damaged areas.

03/27/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for areas along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Georgia through where the Trail follows the North Carolina/Tennessee state line. The warning is in place for most of the effected counties starting tomorrow morning, March 28, and lasting until late into the evening. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring, which are generally a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds.

There are already several wildfires burning near the A.T. in Georgia and North Carolina.

Hikers should not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

03/27/2026

A reminder for Appalachian Trail (A.T.) hikers and visitors that both Virginia and Pennsylvania have annual seasonal burn bans. In Pennsylvania, a burn ban is in place each year from March 1 through May 25 on state forest lands, which includes most of the A.T. from the PA-MD state line to Hunters Run, north of Pine Grove Furnace State Park (NOBO miles 1,068.1 to 1,114.5).

In Virginia, there is a statewide ban on open fires before 4:00 p.m. from February 15 through April 30. Open fires (including campfires) are only permitted between 4:00 p.m. and midnight when fire danger is lower.

Other temporary burn bans may go into effect any time there is high fire danger. Always check our Trail Updates page and with land managers for local burn bans before you hit the Trail. For more information about campfire regulations along the A.T., visit our Camping Regulations table.

03/19/2026

USDA Wildlife Services announced that it will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits again this year in southwest Virginia to help prevent the spread of raccoon rabies. Drops will occur in parts of the following Appalachian Trail (A.T.) counties: Washington, Grayson, Smyth, Bland, Wythe, and Giles. The A.T. runs through these counties from the Tennessee – Virginia state line to approximately Rocky Gap at VA 601 (NOBO miles 467.3 to 673.0).

The vaccine in these baits cannot cause rabies and has been shown to be safe in more than 60 different species of animals, including cats and dogs. However, the USDA recommends:

• Leave baits alone and keep children away from them
• If your pet finds one, do not try to pull it from your pet’s mouth
• Confine your pet and remove any other baits in the area where your pet could reach them
• Wear gloves or use a towel to pick up a bait, wash hands if there’s a chance the packet ruptured
• If a person or pet is exposed to the vaccine inside the bait, call 1-877-722-6725 to report contact

A.T. hikers and visitors should never approach or touch wildlife. For more information about the rabies management program, visit the USDA’s website.

One example of the oral rabies vaccine. Photo courtesy of USDA.

Another example of the oral rabies vaccine. Photo courtesy of USDA.

03/16/2026

BearVault bear canisters are now available to rent from our Damascus Trail Center! Pick up and drop off is at the center daily between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Rentals are $5 a day or $15 for a seven day rental. A variety of canister sizes are available. Must be 18 years or older to rent. Visit the center or contact us for more info.

Updated 03/20/2026

Prescribed burns that are planned on or adjacent to the Trail are listed at the bottom. Remember that prescribed burns are weather dependent. There are also many more burns planned for other parts of the national forests that the A.T. passes through, and burns planned in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Burns along the A.T. in Shenandoah National Park are listed below. 

Prescribed burn season has begun along the southern part of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Prescribed burns are important conservation tools for combatting invasive species, preserving successional habitat, and overall forest health. They are weather dependent and advanced notice of burns is not always possible.

Most closures related to prescribed burns only last a few hours, but longer closures may be required for public safety. Hikers should always follow instructions from posted signs and fire crews. Hikers may also see and smell smoke during burns and for several days after (for burns both on and off the A.T.).

Prescribed burns at Licklog Gap in North Carolina, at Max Patch along the NC/TN border, and at Walnut Mountain, also along the NC/TN border, may happen as early as this week.

If you see or smell smoke while hiking and are not sure if it is from a prescribed burn, call 911 to report the fire. Dispatchers will know or be able to find out if the smoke is from a prescribed burn or a wildfire. For more information about wildfire safety, what to do if you see/smell smoke on the A.T., and prescribed burns, visit our Wildfire page. 

Planned Burns in Georgia:

• Puncheon Gap Burn: adjacent to the Trail at Hawk Mtn Shelter and Hightower Gap (NOBO miles 7.4 and 8.6)
• Justus Creek Burn: on the Trail at Justus Creek (NOBO mile 14.3)
• Grapevine Burn: adjacent to the Trail near Indian Grave Gap (NOBO mile 55.3)

North Carolina:

• Steeltrap Burn: adjacent to the Trail at Betty Creek Gap (NOBO mile 97.4)
• Deweese Ridge Burn: on the Trail at Licklog Gap (NOBO mile 121.9)

North Carolina/Tennessee Border:

• Cherry Creek & Max Patch Burns: adjacent/on the Trail at Max Patch (NOBO mile 255.5)
• Walnut Mtn Burn: on the Trail at Walnut Mtn (NOBO mile 291.9)
• Bell Cow & Spring Mtn Burns: adjacent to the Trail from Hurricane Gap to Little Paint Creek Trail (NOBO miles 284.5 to 288.0)

Tennessee:

• Cedar Gap Burn: adjacent to the Trail at the side trail to Coon Den Falls (NOBO mile 418.6)

Virginia:

• An unnamed burn: on the Trail at Hog Camp Gap (NOBO mile 816.2)
• Southern district of Shenandoah National Park (Rockfish Gap to Swift Run Gap, NOBO miles 865.1 to 910.6)

08/27/2026

Update: Volunteers with Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club and staff from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy have cleared back the brush on the section south of Iron Mountain Gap (NOBO mile 360.6 to 364.8). However, since Helene knocked down most of the trees in this area, more sunlight is reaching the forest floor. This has led to significant and fast brush growth. While maintainers will continue to cut back brush, the quick growth may make it hard to follow the footpath. Hikers should still take care in this section and follow all posted signage.

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07/29/2026

Update: The storm debris removal project around Iron Mountain Gap is complete, and the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the area is officially reopened (NOBO miles 360.6 to 366.1)! The section has been closed since Hurricane Helene caused severe damage to the area in September 2024, and a detour was in place.

Hikers can now access the A.T. from Iron Mountain Gap (NOBO mile 364.7) and hike through section. The Iron Mountain Gap Detour will be decommissioned over the next few weeks.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR HIKERS:

• Parts of the section south of Iron Mountain Gap are heavily overgrown. Crews will be clearing back the brush over the next week or so (NOBO mile 360.6 to 364.8). However, it may be very difficult to find the footpath in some areas.
• Cherry Gap Shelter was destroyed in the storm, but hikers can tent at the former shelter site (361.7).
• Work is still needed to repair the footpath in the section north of Iron Mountain Gap (NOBO miles 364.8 to 366.1). In the meantime, hikers should follow the dirt road that closely parallels the A.T. from Iron Mountain Gap to Weedy Gap. Signs will be posted directing hikers along the road.

Please look out for crews working and give them plenty of room. Make sure crew members see you and stop/pause work to let you pass before approaching.

Thank you to volunteers with the Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club for their hard work to rehabilitate the Trail in this area. ATC staff, the USDA Forest Service, and the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards all helped repair this section of the A.T.

Storm damage is still being repaired in this area and elsewhere on the A.T., and it will take many more years for the landscape to heal. Learn about what to expect in storm-damaged areas, how to stay safe, and other detours and closures still in place by visiting our Hiking & Helene page.

Current Conditions

Updated 07/29/2026

The Iron Mountain Gap area is officially reopened! The detour will be decommissioned over the coming weeks. Repair work is still underway along this section, though, which may impact hikes through the area. For more details, visit our Iron Mountain Gap Trail Update.

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The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Davenport Gap to Pearisburg, VA was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024 (NOBO miles 239.4 to 637.8). The worst of the damage occurred along the section between the Nolichucky River at Erwin, TN, to just north of Damascus, VA.

Volunteers with the Carolina Mountain Club, Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club, Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, and Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers, along with ATC staff, U.S. Forest Service staff, and the SWEAT and Konnarock trail crews, worked throughout the storm-damaged areas last year. Work continues throughout this spring, summer, and fall to clear debris and downed trees further back from the footpath, repair erosion and root ball craters (left from trees being ripped out by the roots), and other rehabilitation projects.

Want to help keep the Trail alive, too? Learn more about volunteering and trail crews!

Trail Conditions & Safety Information

The footpath and hazard trees: The entire section is passable. However, trees will continue to fall and there is severe erosion in some places. Standing trees that remain are especially dangerous as many were damaged by the storm and may be dying or dead – look up before choosing a campsite or stopping for a break. Do not stop or camp under damaged, diseased, or dead standing trees.

Wildfire risk: In the worst-hit areas, 90% of trees were knocked down by the storm. All of these downed trees create the perfect fuel source for wildfires to spread quickly, which could have devastating effects on the already damaged landscape. The southern A.T. is also in a severe to extreme drought. Remember that hot, dry, windy conditions means that fire danger is high and you should not have a campfire, regardless of whether official burn bans are in place.

Debris and overgrowth: Trail maintainers report that off-Trail water sources may be harder to find now, especially those not at a designated overnight site. Hikers should be very careful to not get lost when leaving the footpath. With less tree cover, the Trail will also be hotter and sunnier, so carry extra water. More sunlight also means faster, more aggressive vegetation growth, including briars, nettles, and poison ivy. This also means more potential exposure to ticks. We recommend wearing long pants and carrying a paper map and compass (and know how to use them together).

For detailed information about what you may encounter in storm-damaged areas and how to stay safe, see our Hiking & Helene Guidance.

Closures & Detours

Visit the following links for detailed information about remaining closures, restrictions, and detours.

• Nolichucky River Detour
• Roan Mountain Burn Ban
• VA Creeper Trail A.T. Detour
• Mt Rogers High Country Burn Ban

See a Map

If there is a discrepancy between the map and the alerts, the alerts should be considered correct.

Road Conditions

Access roads for the A.T., many of which are Forest Service roads, may be damaged or closed. For Forest Service road conditions:

• Pisgah National Forest (NC)
• Cherokee National Forest (TN)
• George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (VA)

For state roads:

• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia

07/09/2026

Update: Maintainers reports that the downed tree was removed. However, Lick Creek remains a hazardous crossing during high water and hikers should continue to wait for the water to recede or turn around.

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02/26/2026

Update: The Trail maintainers for this section report that Hurricane Helene blew down several trees across Lick Creek upstream of the ford. The trees are high above the water and, if used to cross, requires you to step over from one tree to another midstream. We strongly recommend against using these downed trees to try and cross the stream due to the unstable footing, height above water, and strainers downstream. Strainers are low-hanging branches or blowdowns that could make getting out of the water harder or trap you under water. In this case, the strainers is a large pile of brush just downstream. See the photo below.

Learn more about safety tips for rivers and stream crossings here. And read more about Hurricane Helene storm damage and how to stay safe here.

Brush pile (“strainers”) downstream of the Lick Creek crossing. Photo by Ed Martin

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03/24/2025

Update: The bridge project is still ongoing. Hikers should continue to fording the river and use caution during high water.

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02/07/2023

The George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) have partnered with the Federal Highway Administration to design and construct a replacement for the Lick Creek footbridge in Bland County, Virginia (NOBO mile 563.8) as part of the national transportation infrastructure program.  The new bridge is planned as a replacement in kind – it will be constructed in the same location as the former bridge, but elevated above the floodplain. The design effort is ongoing and includes surveying and geotechnical exploration at the site of the former bridge.  These activities are coordinated and approved by the U.S. Forest Service.

Hikers should continue to follow the current route of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) across Lick Creek, use caution while fording the creek, and be prepared to wait for water levels to go down following heavy rain.

Learn more about safety tips for rivers and stream crossings here. We will update this notice when we have more information.

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03/25/2020

The A.T. footbridge over Lick Creek in Bland County (mile 563.8) has washed out. Lick Creek is 5.4 miles north of the A.T. trailhead at Virginia Highway 42 (O’Lystery picnic pavilion), and 1.4 miles south of the A.T. trailhead at VA-625 (Poor Valley). Hikers should be prepared to ford the creek, wait out high-water conditions, or backtrack if needed. Lick Creek is typically no more than knee-deep at the A.T. crossing, but may become deeper and more hazardous after a heavy rain. Hikers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with standard safety tips for fording creeks and rivers before hiking this section. A new bridge is not expected to be completed until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.