There’s no Appalachian Trail permits required to thru hike, unlike the PCT. However, there are a couple of parks that require permits to hike through them. They’re not hard to get but make sure you know where they are, how to get them, and when you need to get them as your planning your Appalachian Trail thru hike.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park | North Carolina & Tennessee
In the Smokies, permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry and hikers must have a printed copy of their permit on them.
If you meet the Smokies’ definition of an A.T. thru hiker (which is hikers who begin and end their hike at least 50 miles outside the park and only travel on the A.T. in the park), then you’re eligible for an A.T. Thru Hiker permit ($40).
These permits are valid for 38 days from the date issued, and provides you 8 days/7 nights to hike through the park.
The best place to print out your permit is the NOC (aka Nantahala Outdoor Center) since the AT passes directly through. They’ll have instructions in the shop about how to request your printed Appalachian Trail permits. The lodge at Fontana Dam will also have a printer you can use.
Shenandoah National Park | Virginia
In the Shenandoahs, permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry and hikers must have a digital copy of their permit on them.
Starting January 11, 2024, Appalachian Trail permits must be obtained in advance through Recreation.gov. You can get a permit up to 90 days in advance. AT thru hikers will not need to select a specific camping zone for each night of their permit.
Permits have a $9 per person fee and $6 reservation fee. For example, a permit for one person would cost a total of $15. A permit for two people on the same reservation would cost $24.
Baxter State Park | Maine
As a thru hiker in Baxter, you’ll need an AT Hiker Permit to hike Katahdin. If you want to stay in the park, you’ll also need to either get one of the spots in the Birches or reserve a regular campsite in advance.
A.T. Hiker Permits:
All A.T. hikers (all section hikers and thru-hikers, including SOBOs) are required to obtain an A.T. Hiker permit before they climb Katahdin. This permit is free and must be obtained in person at the Katahdin Stream Campground ranger station. It can be obtained up to seven days in advance of summiting Katahdin.
Campgrounds:
The Birches: This is Baxter’s long-distance hiker campsite. Northbound A.T. hikers (both thru and section hikers) who have hiked to Baxter through the 100 Mile Wilderness without leaving the trail corridor are eligible to stay at the Birches. The Birches is first come, first serve and costs $10.
All other campgrounds: All other park campgrounds must be reserved in advance.
White Mountain National Forest Campsite Fees | New Hampshire & southern Maine
The White Mountains and southern Maine up to Grafton Notch are maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club (or AMC). They don’t require Appalachian Trail permits, but they do have fees for staying at their campsites.
The AMC collects fees of approximately $10/night per person at some of the high-use backcountry campsites they maintain. Thru-hikers traveling through the White Mountains are eligible for the AMC’s Thru-Hiker Pass, which offers discounts on campsites and food at AMC facilities.
They AMC also operate full-service huts along the trail in New Hampshire. If you’d like to stay there, you’ll need a reservation. However, they’re very expensive. Many huts offer several “work for stay” positions each night that thru hikers can take advantage of. Work for stays allow thru hikers to stay and eat for free at the huts in exchange for help around the hut, usually serving food and cleaning.
The AMC also manages the A.T. in southern Maine north to Grafton Notch; a fee is charged for use of the Speck Pond overnight site in this section as well.
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