Roanoke, VA (WVDN) — The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest invites the public to participate in a series of trail and campsite upkeep events as we celebrate National Trails Day in events designed to leave trails better than we find them.
These events are being coordinated by partner organizations in cooperation with the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, including the Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards.
“Our trails and recreation sites are some of the best places to experience the outdoors in Virginia, and we’re very grateful to all our partners and volunteers who help us keep them that way,” said Forest Supervisor Joby Timm. “National Trails Day gives us an opportunity to both take advantage of these great recreational resources and also leave our trails better than we found them.”
National Trails Day was established by the American Hiking Society in 1993 and occurs annually on the first Saturday in June. It brings together federal land managers, partners, and volunteers to celebrate trails and accomplish trail stewardship projects to ensure they are safe, well-maintained, easy-to-follow and accessible.
Additionally, the Forest Service has designated June 6, 2026, as an additional recreation Fee-Free Day to the 2026 calendar to celebrate National Trails Day, meaning all standard amenity recreation sites on Forest Service lands will be at no cost to the public. For all 2026 Fee-Free Days on National Forest System lands and information, please visit our website. Fee Free Days applies only to standard amenity recreation fees and does not waive expanded amenity fees, concessionaire charges, reservation fees, special recreation permit fees, or third-party costs unless separately authorized.
There is a National Trails Day event on each of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest’s seven Ranger Districts and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. More information and instructions on how to sign up for each event can be found below:
Event: Tread Rehab at Keokee Lake
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Ranger District: Clinch Ranger District
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Address: Lake Keokee Boat Ramp, State Rd 876, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
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Description: We will be tending to the compromised tread on the east side of the lake loop trail. Volunteers should bring water, snacks/lunch, long pants and sturdy footwear. Hard hats, gloves and eye protection will be provided.
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Partner Host: Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Event: Giles County Appalachian Trail Project
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Ranger District: Eastern Divide
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Address: 2030 Narrows Rd Narrow, VA 24124
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Description: An introductory trail work trip on the Appalachian Trail in Giles County, VA. Training, tools, and personal protective equipment will be provided.
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Partner Host: Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech
Event: Poverty Creek Trail Maintenance
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Ranger District: Eastern Divide
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Address: The lower parking lot at 4033 Pandapas Pond Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
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Description: Join SAWS staff members on National Trails Day to help clear back trail corridors along pond-accessed trails (Joe Pye, Lady Slipper, Lark Spur). Wear close-toed shoes and pants. We will provide all personal protective equipment. Our collaborators Poverty Creek Trail Coalition (PCTC) are hosting a fundraiser after at The Rising Silo Brewery.
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Partner Host: Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Event: Little Dry Run Trail Maintenance
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Ranger District: Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area
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Address: Little Dry Run Trailhead, 7448 Grayson Turnpike, Speedwell, Virginia 24374.
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Description: Participants will be brushing and crosscutting and, possibly, redefining the upper end of the trail if we have enough volunteers. Bring lunch, water and snacks. SAWS will provide personal protective equipment and post-event beverages.
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Partner Host: Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Event: St. Mary’s Campsite Rehab
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Ranger District: Glenwood-Pedlar
Ranger District
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Address: We will meet at the trailhead for St. Mary’s Falls (37.92576, -79.13898).
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Description: We will hike 2.25 miles up to the beautiful St. Mary’s Falls. The trail is pretty flat, but rocky with a number of river crossings (expect wet feet). Goals for the day are campsite rehab, fire ring reduction and trash removal. Bring lunch, water, snacks and work gloves.
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Partner Host: Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Event: Hidden Valley Recreation Area Trail Rehab
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Ranger District: James River and Warm Springs Ranger District
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Address: Hidden Valley Recreation Trailhead, Hidden Valley Rd, Warm Springs, VA 24484
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Description: Spend National Trails Day in beautiful Hidden Valley! Take a short tour of the historic Warwick Mansion before hitting the trails to clear them of brush and debris. Folks should come prepared with long pants and sturdy hiking shoes. Tools and personal protective equipment will be provided. Bring plenty of water and snacks for the day. We will be hiking no more than 2-4 miles. Lunch will follow in the backyard of the mansion.
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Partner Host: Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Event: Volunteers in the Forest at Wolf Gap
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Ranger District: Lee Ranger District
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Address: Wolf Gap Recreation Area campground, which can be accessed by taking Rt 675 (Wolf Gap Rd) about 6.5 miles from Columbia Furnace, VA.
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Description: Join the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, its North Mountain Brigade, and the U S Forest Service as they celebrate National Trails Day at Wolf Gap. Wolf Gap is a U.S. Forest Service Campground and the trailhead for two of George Washington National Forest’s most popular trails, Big Schloss and Tibbet Knob. They will be hosting an information event titled “Volunteers in the Forest” as well as performing maintenance on trails in the Wolf Gap area.
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Partner Host: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
Event: Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Repair
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Ranger District: Lee Ranger District
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Address: Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV System, Woodstock Tower Rd, Woodstock, VA 22664
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Description: We’ll be doing some trail tread repair and water bar installation on the off-highway vehicle trail system near Woodstock Tower.
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Partner Host: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
The Forest Service-managed trail system, at more than 165,000 miles, is the largest public trails system in the United States. In 2025, volunteers and partners accounted for more than 60% of all trail maintenance accomplishments (nearly 26,000 miles).
More information can be found at https://americanhiking.org/
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
