Appalachian Trail

In 1921, forester Benton MacKaye proposed creating an extraordinarily long footpath that would help preserve nature and offer busy urban people across the U.S. an escape, calling it the Appalachian Trail. Completed in 1937 after a massive effort, the trail extends 2,144 miles from Georgia to Maine, traversing 14 states, eight national forests, two national parks, and 15 major rivers. Its highest elevation is 6,643 feet at Clingman's Dome, one of its access points. Walking the entire trail can take four to six months, and about 100 hikers complete it each year. The trail also crosses Fontana Dam, where TVA has provided hot showers at a nearby trail shelter that hikers have nicknamed the Fontana Hilton for its restrooms, views, spaciousness, and cleanliness, with additional showers at the Fontana Dam Visitors Center. TVA maintains the area around Fontana Dam for hiking, camping, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, and other recreation, and employs biologists to study the land, support conservation, and steward the region's natural surroundings.

North Carolina · United States