Appalachian Trail Days Festival is the world’s largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture. This annual event in Damascus, Virginia, is beloved by hikers and non-hikers.
The small town attracts 25,000 festival goers during the weekend.
You don’t have to be an avid hiker to appreciate the festival in Damascus, known as the “friendliest town on the trail.”
What makes this city so special for outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers and cyclists, is that the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail both pass through Damascus, VA.
This area also boasts 5 of Virginia’s highest peaks, over 5,000 feet: Mount Rogers, Whitetop Mountain, Buzzard Rock, Haw Orchard Mountain, and Pine Mountain.
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When is the Appalachian Trail Days Festival this year?
Appalachian Trail Days is May 15-17, 2026. It’s always the weekend after Mother’s Day as an easy reminder.
The weekend schedule of events offers an assortment of vendors, giveaways, gatherings, workshops, and free live music all weekend long.
A few of the fan favorite events at the festival are the Hiker Parade, Hiker Talent Show, and the live auction.
Is there an Admission Fee for Trail Days?
Appalachian Trail Days is free to attend.
If you want to stay overnight at Tent City, there’s an overnight camping fee.
Explore the Vendor Booths
With 120+ vendors, you’ll find an assortment of options to choose from, many of which are outdoor gear.
Don’t Miss The Trail Days Hiker Parade!
The Hiker Parade is one of the highlights of the Appalachian Trail Days Festival.
This quirky parade got me a little emotional. The Hiker Parade celebrates the amazing thru-hikers past and present on the Appalachian Trail.
Each hiker has a story and a reason. I think that’s why watching them march in the parade together was such a joy.
They have a special bond with other AT thru-hikers that non-hikers can’t fully understand until they experience it too.
Thru-hikers march with their “class by the year.” They’re all ages and from all walks of life, which was so inspiring. They truly accomplished something worth celebrating.
After the parade, I chatted with a man in his 60s who spent 6 months hiking the AT. It was something he had always wanted to do, and it was so inspiring that he didn’t let his age stop him from accomplishing his goal.
Damascus is known as the “friendliest town on the Appalachian Trail.”
It’s one of the few towns the AT runs directly through, and many volunteers in the community bring aid or “trail magic” to thru hikers.
These “Trail Angels” provide water, meals, rides, and more to thru-hikers on their journey.
The Hiker Parade is also known for its “friendly fire” between the crowd and the hikers with Super Soakers that help cool everyone off on a hot day.
It’s fun to watch the showdown between the hikers and the crowd along the way.
Take a Picture with the Appalachian Trail sign and the Virginia Creeper Trail Sign
It’s fun to take a picture with both of the trail signs, regardless of how many miles you personally travel on them.
The Appalachian Trail is 2,197.9 miles long and spans 14 states, from Springer Mountain in Northern Georgia to Katahdin in Maine.
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy project that opened in 1987 and attracts locals and tourists alike.
“Creeper” refers to how the early steam locomotives used to creep up the inclines through the mountains.
The entire trail is 34 miles from Abingdon to Whitetop, VA.
Unfortunately, 18 miles of the bike trail, including 18 trestles from Damascus to Whitetop near the Virginia/North Carolina border, were destroyed/damaged by unprecedented flooding from Hurricane Helene.
The good news is that you can still use a section of the trail from Abingdon to Damascus, and there’s hope that the damaged sections will be restored.
My husband and I rode our e-bikes from Abingdon to Alvardo Station, and the scenery was so diverse and peaceful.
Trail Parking in Damascus, VA
- Damascus Town Park – 301 S Beaver Dam Ave, Damascus, VA
- Straight Branch Trailhead – Near 25738 Jeb Stuart Highway, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA
- Taylors Valley Trailhead – 23530 Taylor Valley Road, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA
- Creek Junction Trailhead – 21285 Creek Junction Road, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA
- Green Cove Station – Green Cove Community Center, 41221 County Road 600, Jefferson National Forest, Damascus, VA
Bike Shops/Shuttles in Damascus, VA
If you prefer to rent bikes, there are several outfitters to choose from.
We experienced such great customer service when I needed my bike tire tube replaced.
The Bike Station is open 7 days a week from 8 AM until 5:30 PM from March through November and offers shuttle services, bike rentals, and repairs.
They have 6 shuttle vans to accommodate families and both small and large groups. Each van pulls a custom-built trailer to transport your personal bike or rental bike.
The Bike Station shuttle takes passengers from Damascus to Abingdon, where they’ll start their 17-mile bike ride that concludes in Damascus.
The ride takes 2.5- 3 hours on average, and shuttle riders are requested to arrive 30 minutes before their shuttle.
Support a Local Business in Downtown Damascus
While you’re in downtown Damascus, I’d encourage you to support a few of the local businesses.
We enjoyed beers during the Hiker Parade at The Damascus Brewery, which has patio seating and plenty of seating indoors.
Trails to Recovery
Unfortunately, Damascus and nearby cities in southwest Virginia were hit hard by Hurricane Helene on September 24, 2024, which is why supporting local businesses is even more crucial to their rebuilding, too.
Three main creeks flow through Damascus.
Through the Trails to Recovery, a volunteer-led non-profit helping rebuild communities and repair homes destroyed by the storm.
More Information on the Appalachian Trail Days
This unique festival is definitely worth adding to your calendar!
You can find out more about the Appalachian Trail Days Festival here.
Hotels & Inns Near Damascus, VA
There is a range of accommodations available for travelers in Damascus and nearby in Abingdon.
Damascus, VA
Abingdon, VA
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
- Spark by Hilton
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites
- Hampton Inn
- Fairfield Inn & Suites
- Comfort Suites
- The Emory House
