Magic in the Mountains

This article originally appeared on The Trek, which you can read here.

As of midnight on October 1, 2025, the U.S. government officially shut down due to a lack of appropriations. This marks the first full federal government shutdown since 2019, on which occasion the shutdown lasted 35 days before a funding agreement was reached.

The AT Remains Open, but Expect Delays — and No Volunteer Work

No overall trail closure: The AT footpath will remain open. On-trail facilities such as campsites, shelters, privies, and ungated trailheads will continue to be accessible. According to the National Park Service (NPS) contingency plan, “park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors.”

Possible closure of some federal facilities: However, some federal facilities along the trail, including visitor centers and campgrounds in national parks and national forests, could be closed or operate at reduced capacity.

Possible emergency response delays: Additionally, due to possible understaffing, emergency response services may be limited or unavailable. Hikers should be prepared to self-evacuate in case of emergency and are advised to plan ahead and prepare thoroughly before entering the backcountry.

No volunteer trail maintenance: “A.T. volunteers are not able to conduct their usual work on the Trail due to a lapse in federal worker’s compensation and protections,” according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC).

ATC will remain open: The Appalachian Trail is a designated National Scenic Trail and is managed jointly by two federal agencies: the National Park Service (NPS) and the US Forest Service (USFS). The trail is also co-managed by the nonprofit ATC, which will remain operational throughout the shutdown.

On October 1, the ATC posted an update reminding visitors that, as a nongovernment agency, it remains open. ATC visitor centers in Harpers Ferry, WV, Damascus, VA, and Monson, ME are currently operational. ATC visitor center hours can be found on the ATC contact page.

The ATC has detailed information on its site about the effects of the shutdown on the trail.

What About the PCT?

The outlook on the PCT is largely the same as on the AT. The trail itself will remain open, but volunteer projects will be paused, some gated access points to the trail on federal lands may remain locked (it remains unclear which ones), and certain federal land use permits will not be issued during the shutdown.

However, PCTA assured the public that applications for 2026 long-distance permits will proceed as normal. As on the AT, emergency response may be delayed. 

The PCTA noted that the shutdown will impact trail maintenance and land protection projects, slow the organization’s advocacy efforts in Washington, and slow the overall dissemination of information about trail conditions and closures. 

“The PCT exists thanks to a deep partnership among multiple federal agencies,” the organization wrote of the shutdown. “These dedicated public servants face uncertainty while continuing to serve the nation in limited ways, and we wish them well as they weather this disruption.”

What the CDTC Is Saying

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) has stated that federal lands throughout the trail corridor will remain open; however, the organization is encouraging hikers to monitor its Closures and Alerts page for updates.

In a post about the shutdown, CDTC said that the US Army does not anticipate the shutdown causing any delays with processing permits for access to the New Mexico National Defense Area, which hikers must now secure to access the southern terminus. 

All volunteer projects on federal lands have been discontinued for the duration of the shutdown. 

Looking Forward

The initial funding impasse occurred on Tuesday, September 29, and led to the shutdown beginning at midnight on Wednesday, October 1. The next Senate vote on government funding is scheduled for Friday, October 3.

Check back for updates regarding the status of the shutdown and its ongoing effects on the AT, PCT, and CDT and the organizations that support them.