Smoky Mountain Volunteer Opportunities

Smoky Mountain Volunteer Opportunities in May and June of 2021. Park staff are hosting several volunteer workdays on trails throughout the park. These chances are ideal for people who enjoy hiking and rewarding hands-on work in a beautiful setting. Volunteers will work alongside experienced park staff and will help preserve the 848 miles of maintained trails throughout the park.

Volunteers will work to repair erosion control features and general trail tread maintenance on sections of trail. Workdays will be Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in North Carolina on May 13, May 20, 2021 and May 27, 2021 and in Tennessee on June 10th & 17th, and 24th 2021. Also a special work day will be held in North Carolina on Saturday, June 5th, 2021 in honor of National Trails Day.  

Volunteers must be able to safely hike while carrying tools up to four miles per day and be prepared to perform strenuous, manual labor. After receiving proper training, participants will be expected to safely use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, loppers, and hand picks. Minimum age of participants is 16. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian. The 2021 Volunteer Program will be following CDC best practices in response to COVID-19. Pre-registration is required as space will be limited. Please contact Trails and Facilities Volunteer Coordinator Adam Monroe at 828-497-1949 or adam_monroe@nps.gov for workday details and to register.  

Volunteers should wear boots or sturdy closed toed shoes, long pants, and appropriate layers for inclement weather. Volunteers should bring a day pack with food, water, rain gear and any other personal gear for the day. The park will provide instruction, necessary safety gear, and tools for the day. 

Additional volunteer opportunities are available via the ‘Adopt-a-Trail’ program and ‘Trails Forever Tuesdays’ on the Abrams Falls Trail, held each week this summer from May 11 through September 14, 2021.

Source information: GSMNP