Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail

Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail

•Problem: impacts to campsites (soil; vegetation; trees; expansion; crowding; conflict; depreciative behavior)

•Strategies: limit use; reduce the impact of use; harden the resource

•Practices: facility development/site design/ maintenance; rationing/allocation; rules/ regulations; information/education

Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail

•Appalachian Trail•National Trails System•Green Mountain Club•Annapolis Rocks (Maryland) (“ the worst

campground along the Appalachian Trail”)•Purchase of land by NPS and Maryland

Department of Natural Resources•“Side-hill” campsite construction•Group size limit (10)•Maximum of 75 campers

Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail

•Alcohol and campfires prohibited•Composting toilets•Old camping fenced and rehabilitated•Rules and regulations posted•Ridgerunners/caretakers•Leave No Trace•Area of disturbance reduced from 40,000 sq.

feet to 3,000 sq. feet•Higher visitor satisfaction

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Trails System

Mount Katahdin, ME

http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?item=3682739&AID=431217665&PSTID=1&LTID=2&lang=1

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home

http://www.greenmountainclub.org/

Leave No Trace