The Trails Forever volunteer program is an opportunity for you to work closely with park staff and gain experience doing a wide range of trail rehabilitation work.
The current volunteer opportunity to help Trails Forever in 2025 will be on Working Wednesdays for the rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail. This will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday from July 9 through Oct. 15, 2025. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please sign up for a workday and receive meeting place information by contacting the crew supervisor, Josh Shapiro, via email at Josh_Shapiro@nps.gov or call 865-436-1586.
Volunteers may perform a wide range of trail maintenance and trail rehabilitation work. Lasting improvements to the trail corridor will include rock and root removal, vegetation pruning, tread widening and grading, and assisting the NPS crew with native timber construction. Trails Forever volunteers must be able to hike at least four miles and safely perform strenuous manual labor. Volunteers should be comfortable lifting heavy objects and using hand tools such as shovels, rakes, axes, and loppers. The park will provide all safety gear and tools needed for the workday. Volunteers will need to wear sturdy closed-toe footwear and long pants as well as bring a day pack with food, water, rain gear and personal gear for the day.
The information below should provide answers to most of the frequently asked questions about the Trails Forever program. Please read over all of the information thoroughly before applying as a Trails Forever volunteer.
What is Trails Forever?
Trails Forever is a partnership program between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Friends of the Smokies. The volunteer component of the Trails Forever program gives individuals the opportunity to work in conjunction with National Park Service employees and make lasting and important improvements to trails throughout the park.
How do you become a Trails Forever volunteer?
Please read the information below thoroughly before applying as a Trails Forever volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering with Trails Forever, you may contact:
Josh Shapiro, NPS Trails Forever Crew Supervisor
Email: Josh_Shapiro@nps.gov | Phone: 865-436-1586
Adam Monroe, NPS Trails and Facilities Volunteer Coordinator
Email: adam_monroe@nps.gov | Phone: 828-497-1949
When can I volunteer?
Volunteer workdays for Trails Forever are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 15, 2025. Prior registration is required.
Do I have to hike to be a Trails Forever volunteer?
Yes. Most of the Trails Forever projects will require at least some hiking. You must be able to hike at least four miles and then be able to do hard physical labor in order to participate as a Trails Forever volunteer, since many projects are at least two miles from a road or parking area (and then two miles back).
Do I need experience to volunteer for Trails Forever?
The Trails Forever program provides opportunities for both skilled and non-skilled volunteers.
What kinds of work do Trails Forever volunteers do?
Trails Forever volunteers perform a wide range of trail maintenance and trail rehabilitation work. The particular jobs you are assigned will vary depending on your experience level and may include installing drainage structures (i.e. waterbars, check dams), rehabilitating trail surfaces, constructing turnpikes (raised trail segments), removing brush and vegetation, or building foot logs and bridges. While these jobs may vary in complexity, all Trails Forever volunteers must be able to hike and safely perform strenuous and often difficult manual labor. Volunteers should be able to hike at least 4 miles and be comfortable lifting heavy objects and using hand tools such as: shovels, fire rakes, Pulaski/axes, sledgehammers, etc.
How long are Trails Forever volunteers required to work?
Typically Trails Forever workdays will start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. If you need to leave early or arrive late, let the Trails Volunteer Coordinator know before you come out.
What do I need to bring?
Volunteers are required to provide their own backpack, food, water and clothing. All tools and necessary equipment will be provided. You must wear closed-toes shoes (preferably boots) and long pants. You may not wear sandals or other open-toed shoes. Volunteers are also responsible for cold-weather and rain gear. Weather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is often unpredictable and volunteers must be prepared for a range of potential weather conditions.
Where do you meet for Trails Forever projects?
Volunteers will meet the Trails Forever Volunteer Coordinator at the trail head or parking area. Volunteers are expected to be on time and prepared to begin work. The Great Smoky Mountains experiences high amounts of visitation. Most of the roads are curvy and travel is often slow, so please allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. There is no cell phone service in many parts of the park, so there is no way to notify Park personnel if you arrive late. Tardiness will result in a wasted trip.
How do I get to the meeting place?
Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the designated meeting places.
Can children be Trails Forever volunteers?
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. It is important to remember that most of the project locations will be accessible only by foot and may require hiking 4 miles or more. Trail work also involves the use of hand tools, many of which have sharp edges not suitable for young children.
If you want to support the Trails Forever program in other ways, click below to make a donation.