Adopt-A-Trail

Are you interested in volunteering to help maintain and preserve the trails of your public lands?

The National Park Service Volunteers In Parks Program (VIP) is seeking individuals or groups interested in assisting NPS staff in the upkeep and maintenance of park trails as part of the Adopt-A-Trail program.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve contains in excess of 100 miles of mixed use trail. Our system has options for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. Trails range from ADA accessible boardwalks to rim-to-river trails featuring staircases and numerous switchbacks.

Adopt-A-Trail Maintenance

Volunteers interested in a hands on approach would adopt a single trail or a segment of a longer trail. VIPs would conduct basic trail maintenance by removing smaller blow down branches and trees with hand saws, cleaning drainage swales and dips with hand tools, clearing vegetation with hand pruners, removal of graffiti from signs and structures, removal of small scale rock falls and landslides with hand tools. Volunteers would report any larger trail issues to NPS trails staff. 

Adopt-A-Trail Monitoring

Volunteers would regularly hike a trail and submit condition reports to NPS trails staff. Reports would note things such as downed trees, muddy areas, social trails, missing signage, damaged bridges or stairs, vandalism, overgrown vegetation, landslides, etc. Volunteers may also make visitor contacts to   provide directions or other assistance to visitors.