From signage at the trailhead to cairns guiding the way or bog bridges leading through wetlands: Each piece of a trail is critical, and each takes time and effort to build and maintain. Without the work of volunteer trail crews, many of your favorite routes would likely fall into disrepair. So if you’ve ever marveled at such handiwork or wondered how to get involved, then join the nation-wide National Trails Day celebration on June 6 by attending one of the following AMC-led trailwork events.

Burnt Meadow Mountain
Brownfield, Maine
Join AMC volunteers in working on this brand-new—and still unnamed—trail on Burnt Meadow Mountain. The 2-mile loop covers moderate terrain and offers views to Mount Chocorua in New Hampshire. The trail, which has yet to open, has already been flagged and roughly cleared out, but still requires additional clearing, a possible side hill cut, and loose rock stabilization. Registration is required for this event, and attendees should pack their own tools and lunch.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC

Appalachian Trail
Stratton, Maine
Join AMC trail crewmembers for a trail maintenance workshop on the Appalachian Trail (AT). The day will include instruction and demonstrations on the use of various tools, safety, trail selection and use, and some on-trail training. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice the demonstrated skills on a relatively flat section of the AT, then will move on to water bar maintenance, brushing, and blazing. Each participant will have the chance to try each skill. Registration is required for this event.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC 

Beaver Brook
Hollis, N.H.
Thirty-five miles of hiking and multi-use trails criss-cross the 2,000 acres of Beaver Brook Association land in Hollis and Milford, N.H. A haven for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, this land is also home to year-round educational programming. Trail work volunteers have been celebrating National Trails Day here for more than a decade. This year, they will be split into teams to work on a variety of projects. Tools—as well as a pizza lunch—will be provided. Registration is required for this event.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC, Beaver Brook Association

Crawford Notch
Crawford Notch, N.H.
Join AMC staff for their annual Trail Work Project. Crews will be working on the Elephant Head Spur and Mount Willard Trail in Crawford Notch. There will be jobs for all ability levels, including constructing rock staircases, erosion prevention projects, brushing out overgrown trails, and brushing in areas that need revegetation. The day will end with a free barbecue at the nearby Highland Center Depot. Registration is required.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC

Myles Standish State Forest
South Carver, Mass.
Covering more than 14,000 acres and featuring 13 miles of hiking trails and 35 miles of equestrian paths, Myles Standish State Forest is one of the largest reservations in the Massachusetts state park and forest system. Work this year will focus on the 4.5-mile blue-blazed Bentley Loop. When the work is done, enjoy a barbecue with your fellow volunteers. Registration is required, but all ages are welcome.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Pelham Bay Park
Bronx, N.Y.
At three times the size of Central Park, Pelham Bay Park is New York City’s largest park, and boasts 13 miles of shoreline along Long Island Sound. Volunteers this year will be working on the Siwanoy Trail, a 1.8-mile trail first cleared by AMC in 1988. The trail runs through 23 acres of forest near Orchard Beach. No registration is required, and all tools will be provided.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Long Path
Minnewaska State Park Preserve, N.Y.
First-time maintainers are encouraged to join the Young Members Committee of the New York-North Jersey Chapter in the Shawangunks to work on the Long Path, a trail that the committee has adopted and maintains throughout the year. The work will consist primarily of light clipping, blazing, and cairn building on this heavily trafficked trail, which runs between two carriage roads and passes directly through Rainbow Falls. Registration is required.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC

Valley Forge National Historic Park
King of Prussia, Pa.
Valley Forge National Historic Park will be hosting a full-fledged National Trails Day celebration this year. Starting at 9 a.m., volunteer crews will be working to maintain some of the park’s 19.5 miles of hiking trails. Meanwhile, at the Betzwood Picnic Area, there will be a full day of activities for all ages, including exhibits, clinics, product demonstrations, a 3-mile hike, and “Our Work: Protecting Plants and Animals,” an all-day nature program. No registration is required.
Info: National Trails Day with AMC, National Park Service