What is Trail Care?
Photo by Haley Feaster from 2025 Trail Love ANF Edition.
One of the most important and rewarding aspects of involvement with KTA is volunteering to help maintain PA's extensive system of hiking trails. Each year, on designated weekends between March and November, dedicated trail care volunteers gather, and, armed with blaze paint, limb loppers, pulaskis and brushcutters, they clear and upgrade hiking trail corridors and treadways.
Traditionally, our efforts have been focused on the longer State Forest Hiking Trails (see map below) that do not have a maintaining club (for example, the Black Forest and Chuck Keiper Trails). We have also assisted trail clubs on special projects, and with general maintenance due to a lack of section overseers, as well as State Parks and Conservancies. We coordinate with the land manager (state forest), or a Volunteer Event Leader who scouts the trail, to determine where work is needed. The trails generally rotate in and out, but there are some we visit most every year.
Besides the benefit to the trails, Trail Care offers fellowship, camaraderie, the chance to visit new-to-you parks and trails, new skills, cool swag, stress relief, and instant gratification!
Traditionally, our efforts have been focused on the longer State Forest Hiking Trails (see map below) that do not have a maintaining club (for example, the Black Forest and Chuck Keiper Trails). We have also assisted trail clubs on special projects, and with general maintenance due to a lack of section overseers, as well as State Parks and Conservancies. We coordinate with the land manager (state forest), or a Volunteer Event Leader who scouts the trail, to determine where work is needed. The trails generally rotate in and out, but there are some we visit most every year.
Besides the benefit to the trails, Trail Care offers fellowship, camaraderie, the chance to visit new-to-you parks and trails, new skills, cool swag, stress relief, and instant gratification!
Check out this cool new video created by KTA's own Al Germann, with the perspective of real live Trail Care volunteers!
2026 Trail Care Program Schedule
ABOVE: Map showing Trail Care Events (number in circle) and PA State Forest designated hiking trails and other major trails.
*The trail color on the map = blaze color.
*PR = Panther Run Cabin (TCs 3,11,23)
*HR= Hyner Run State Park (TCs 12,22)
*?= KTA Office
*The trail color on the map = blaze color.
*PR = Panther Run Cabin (TCs 3,11,23)
*HR= Hyner Run State Park (TCs 12,22)
*?= KTA Office
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April 9-12: Cabin Care *NEW* (PA Wilds)
KTA's PANTHER RUN CABIN Sproul State Forest Leader: Al Germann Spring Cleaning / Remodeling at PRC More info & sign up HERE! #01 April 23-26: Trail Care WHITE MTN RIDGE / REEDS GAP SPUR Bald Eagle State Forest Leader: Ed Lawrence Camp: Camp Karoondinha - Harris Cabin More info & sign up HERE! May 7-8: Cabin Care *NEW* (PA Wilds) KTA's PANTHER RUN CABIN (PRC) Sproul State Forest Leader: Al Germann Spring Cleaning / Remodeling at PRC More info & sign up HERE! May 9-10: Race Aid Station *NEW* (PA Wilds) EAGLETON 86 TRAIL RACE Chuck Keiper Trailhead Leader: Al Germann Camp: KTA Panther Run Cabin More info & sign up HERE! C1: May 13: Weekday Trail Care w/CPC @ Diakon: LINK #02: May 14-17: Trail Care (PA Wilds) MID STATE TRAIL - WOOLRICH REGION Tiadaghton/Bald Eagle State Forests Leader: TBD Camp: Ravensburg State Park sites 1-6 More info & sign up HERE! #03: May 22-23: Code Orange (PA Wilds) CHUCK KEIPER TRAIL Sproul State Forest Leader: TBD Camp 5/21-23: KTA Panther Run Cabin More info & sign up HERE! #04: May 28-31: Trail Care (PA Wilds) TIADAGHTON STATE FOREST TRAILS Tiadaghton State Forest Leader: TBD Camp: Pump Station Fire Tower Cabin More info & sign up HERE! #05: May 30: ALL WOMEN'S Trail Care SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS STATE PARK Riverbank Clean-Up/Trail Work Leader: Trish Turo Meet: 9:30am, Susq.Riv. S.P. More info & sign HERE! #06: Sat. June. 6: TRAIL LOVE: KITTATINNY RIDGE EDITION ***National Trails Day*** (swag/food!) Leader: Jenn Ulmer Camp 6/5-6: TBD More info & sign up coming soon! C2: June 10: Weekday Trail Care w/CPC @ Tuckahoe: LINK #07: June 11-14: Trail Care MID STATE TRAIL - EVERETT REGION Buchanan State Forest, SGL Leader: Tony Barr Camp: Tenley Park, Everett More info & sign up coming soon! |
#08: June 18-21: Trail Care (PA Wilds)
MID STATE TRAIL - TIOGA REGION Tioga State Forest Leader: Pete Fleszar Camp: Hills Creek State Park Group Tenting More info & sign up coming soon! #09: June 25-28: Trail Care MID STATE TRAIL - STATE COLLEGE RGN. Bald Eagle State Forest Leader: Jason Davis Camp: Camp Mount Luther More info & sign up coming soon! C3: July 8: Weekday Trail Care w/CPC @ Port Royal/Greg's Woods: LINK July 9-12: PSU Adventure Club Trail Care (PA Wilds) SPROUL STATE FOREST TRAILS Leader: Al Germann Camp: KTA Panther Run Cabin ~~Private Event~~ #10: July 16-19: Trail Care (PA Wilds) TIOGA STATE FOREST TRAILS Leader: TBD Camp: Lexington Camp, Blackwell More info & sign up coming soon! #11: July 24-26: ALL WOMEN'S Trail Care/Campout/Hiking Weekend SPROUL STATE FOREST TRAILS Sproul State Forest Leader: Trish Turo Camp: KTA Panther Run Cabin More info & sign up HERE! #12: Aug. 6-9 Trail Care (PA Wilds) DONUT HOLE TRAIL Sproul State Forest Leader: TBD Camp: Hyner Run S.P. sites 7, 8, 10, 12 More info & sign up coming soon! C4: Aug. 12: Weekday Trail Care w/CPC @ Brady Bryner: LINK #13: Aug. 20-23: Trail Care (PA Wilds) ALLEGHENY FRONT TRAIL Moshannon State Forest Leader: TBD Camp: Black Moshannon State Park sites 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 More info & sign up coming soon! #14: Aug. 27-30: Trail Care HICKORY RUN STATE PARK TRAILS Hickory Run State Park Leader: TBD Camp: Hickory Run - Daddy Allen Cabins More info & sign up coming soon! C5: Sept. 9: Weekday Trail Care w/CPC @ LeTort/Pine Hill: LINK #15: Sept. 10-13: Trail Care PINCHOT TRAIL Pinchot State Forest Leader: Shira B./Brian M. Camp: Tobyhanna SP group sites 1 & 2 More info & sign up coming soon! |
#16: Sept. 10-13: Trail Care (PA Wilds)
BUCKTAIL PATH Elk State Forest Leader: TBD Camp: Sinnemahoning SP sites 15, 16, 17, 18 , 19 More info & sign up coming soon! #17: Sept. 24-27: Trail Care (PA Wilds) CHAPMAN STATE PARK TRAILS Chapman SP/Allegheny National Forest Leader: TBD Camp: Chapman SP sites 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 More info & sign up coming soon! #18: Sept. 27: ALL WOMEN'S Trail Care PINE GROVE FURNACE STATE PARK/ MICHAUX STATE FOREST TRAILS Leader: Trish Turo Meet: 9:30am, Laurel lake Pavilion More info & sign up HERE! #19: Oct. 1-4: Trail Care (PA Wilds) QUEHANNA TRAIL / MOSHANNON SF Leader: TBD Camp: Parker Dam State Park cabins More info & sign up coming soon! #20: Sat. Oct 3: Code Orange GIFFORD PINCHOT STATE PARK / MASON-DIXON TRAIL Leader: Park staff Meet: TBD More info & sign up coming soon! #21: Oct. 8-11: TRAIL CARE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL w/ Butler Outdoor Club Leader: TBD Camp: TBD More info & sign up coming soon! #22: Oct. 15-18 Trail Care (PA Wilds) DONUT HOLE TRAIL Sproul State Forest Leader: TBD Camp: Hyner Run S.P. sites 7, 8, 10, 12 More info & sign up coming soon! #23: Oct. 29-Nov. 1: TRAIL CARE (PA Wilds) CHUCK KEIPER TRAIL Sproul State Forest Leader: TBD Camp 10/29-31: KTA Panther Run Cabin More info & sign up coming soon! #24: Sat. Oct. 31: Code Orange KTA's A.T. SECTION Leader: Jim Foster Meet: Lehigh Gap East Parking lot More info & sign up coming soon! #25: Nov. 5-8: Trail Care (PA Wilds) T SQUARED TRAIL Tiadaghton State Forest Leader: TBD Camp: Jersey Mills Ranger Station More info & sign up coming soon! KTA Awards Ceremony --Save the Date!!-- Sat. Nov. 21, early evening Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art More info & sign up coming soon! |
Download a handy printable PDF schedule for your fridge or to share with your friends here: LINK
2026 Wednesday Trail Cares
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New 2026 Weekday Trail Care Opportunities! For those of you closer to KTA headquarters, we're coordinating with Central Pennsylvania Conservancy again this year to offer Trail Care days during the week. On the 2nd Wednesday, from May through September, you can join us at one of their preserved lands to help spruce up their trails, and work on a couple brand new trails. More information and sign up coming soon.
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"Many hands make light work"
SHOW THE TRAILS YOU LOVE SOME LOVE!
SHOW THE TRAILS YOU LOVE SOME LOVE!
Volunteer Options
Trail Care Weekends: Unless otherwise noted, camping sites for Trail Care Weekends will typically be available on Thursday evenings for participants who want to roll-in and get set up. Two full days of trail work on Friday and Saturday are followed by evenings of campfire sociability and likely some meals provided in 2025. After a morning of additional trail work, the weekend concludes around noon on Sunday. Volunteers who cannot work the trail on Friday are still very welcome to come in Friday night for work on Saturday and/or Sunday. Participants provide their own camping gear and food, unless otherwise stated in the event listing.
Code Orange events are a one day event usually scheduled to work in a State Park. Camping may be available and food is sometimes provided.
If you can't attend an entire event, you can join the group for whatever portion is convenient. No experience or special skills are required. Tools, work gloves, and PPE will be provided, as well as "on the trail" training!
Age Requirements:
Minimum: 14 years old and up (all minors must be accompanied by a guardian) unless otherwise noted. For safety purposes, minors will never be allowed to work alone or with just one other volunteer, unless it is their guardian.
Maximum: no maximum age! If you can hike a couple miles over rough terrain, we can find a task suitable for you!
Code Orange events are a one day event usually scheduled to work in a State Park. Camping may be available and food is sometimes provided.
If you can't attend an entire event, you can join the group for whatever portion is convenient. No experience or special skills are required. Tools, work gloves, and PPE will be provided, as well as "on the trail" training!
Age Requirements:
Minimum: 14 years old and up (all minors must be accompanied by a guardian) unless otherwise noted. For safety purposes, minors will never be allowed to work alone or with just one other volunteer, unless it is their guardian.
Maximum: no maximum age! If you can hike a couple miles over rough terrain, we can find a task suitable for you!
How to sign up
Please sign up via each Trail Care Event's webpage -- links are provided in each event's listing above. If you sign up, we expect that you will keep your commitment to volunteer. If you have to cancel for any reason, please give as much notice as possible. If you do not want to sign up online, please contact Jenn Ulmer.
**NEW FOR 2026: Please sign-up for an account with DCNR on the new Conservation Volunteer website here. Once you do that, you are covered under DCNR’s workmen’s compensation umbrella when working on state forest or park land. Also, you can now earn points towards free camping! Check out their FAQs page. Once you submit your sign-up on KTA’s Trail Care Event website, Jenn will add you to the “Trail Care Team” for that private event in DCNR’s new CV system (and you’ll receive an email from DCNR confirming you’ve been added to the team/event). Then, after the event, Jenn will be inputting all your Trail Care volunteer hours; you won’t have to worry about that. Thanks in advance!
Keystone Trails Association provides a place to camp, tools, work gloves, safety equipment, and instruction by the crew leader. Sometimes, food may be provided; check each event. Volunteers are accepted for one day, a weekend, all week, or the entire season. There are tasks for everyone!
Questions?
Please see much more information on the FAQs page.
More questions?
Jenn Ulmer
Manager of Trail Maintenance & Training
[email protected]
570-854-8316
**NEW FOR 2026: Please sign-up for an account with DCNR on the new Conservation Volunteer website here. Once you do that, you are covered under DCNR’s workmen’s compensation umbrella when working on state forest or park land. Also, you can now earn points towards free camping! Check out their FAQs page. Once you submit your sign-up on KTA’s Trail Care Event website, Jenn will add you to the “Trail Care Team” for that private event in DCNR’s new CV system (and you’ll receive an email from DCNR confirming you’ve been added to the team/event). Then, after the event, Jenn will be inputting all your Trail Care volunteer hours; you won’t have to worry about that. Thanks in advance!
Keystone Trails Association provides a place to camp, tools, work gloves, safety equipment, and instruction by the crew leader. Sometimes, food may be provided; check each event. Volunteers are accepted for one day, a weekend, all week, or the entire season. There are tasks for everyone!
Questions?
Please see much more information on the FAQs page.
More questions?
Jenn Ulmer
Manager of Trail Maintenance & Training
[email protected]
570-854-8316
Slideshow of previous events:
NEW EVENT FOR 2024: Trail Love: Michaux Edition
With assistance from many partners, KTA initiated a new format for a Trail Care Event in 2024. The inaugural Trail Love Weekend was held in the Michaux State Forest to coincide with National Trails Day on June 1, 2024. After an optional campout the night before, more than 50 enthusiastic volunteers converged that memorable Saturday, working at multiple sites on four local trail systems. Projects included new trail construction, stair building, trail trimming (brushing), campsite restoration, sign installation, water diversion structures, and more. Of the volunteers who responded to the question, 15 indicated zero experience with trail maintenance prior to Trail Love, and feedback was exceedingly positive. Hearty meals, dignitary remarks, complimentary tie-dye T-shirts, and post-fieldwork musical entertainment were part of the mix.
KTA's Trail Love partnership encompassed a robust network of organizations, including South Mountain Partnership, Friends of Michaux, Friends of Pine Grove, Friends of Kings Gap, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of State Parks, and the Appalachian Trail Museum. A South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant was awarded to the Keystone Trails Association for the planning and development of the Trail Love event.
KTA's Trail Love partnership encompassed a robust network of organizations, including South Mountain Partnership, Friends of Michaux, Friends of Pine Grove, Friends of Kings Gap, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of State Parks, and the Appalachian Trail Museum. A South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant was awarded to the Keystone Trails Association for the planning and development of the Trail Love event.
Photos from Trail Love: Top left: steps construction on Koppenhaver Trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Jenn Ulmer photo); Top middle: Crews choosing tools at Hearth Tender Trail trail digging (photo from volunteer photographer Brandon Raubenstine); Top right: Signs installed on Buck Ridge Trail near Kings Gap (photo Haley Feaster), Bottom: group photo (photo from Brandon).
