AMC General FAQs
What is AMC?
The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Since 1876 we’ve made it our mission to protect the mountains, forests, waters, and trails you love in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. We envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life, no matter who or where they are. We encourage you to experience, learn more, and appreciate the outdoors knowing that your participation supports the conservation and stewardship of the natural world around you.
What does AMC do?
AMC is the oldest conservation organization in the United States, dedicated to preserving the essential land and resources throughout its region. One part conservation and one part recreation, AMC provides lodging, guided experiences, and resources to help you get the most of your outdoor journey and develop a stewardship to protect the lands we love. AMC is built on a vast community of members and partners, all working together to protect the outdoors.
How do I become an AMC member?
Join AMC today by signing up at outdoors.org/join, or click on the ‘Join’ button at the top of AMC’s website. You can also join by calling AMC’s Contact Center at 603-466-2727. To learn more about AMC membership, visit outdoors.org/donate/membership.
What benefits do I get as a member of AMC?
However you choose to be outdoors—walking in your local park, paddling on a nearby lake, or camping in a remote spot—an AMC membership provides you access to more than 8,000 activities each year, plus discounts on lodging, books, and merchandise. The outdoors is for everyone to enjoy, and your membership will help build and maintain trails, protect public lands, and support outdoor conservation throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Where can I stay at an AMC location?
AMC has a variety of destinations in the best recreation areas in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. From the 100-Mile Wilderness in Maine, to the lakesides of Harriman State Park, AMC offers cabins, bunkhouses, campsites, shelters, and more as a base for your next adventure. Learn more at outdoors.org/destinations.
How can I book a stay at an AMC location?
AMC’s easy-to-use reservations tool provides quick access to most of our destinations. Start by visiting outdoors.org/destinations and selecting the region you would like to stay. You can learn more about each property by clicking on the link or check the availability of each destination to coordinate with your schedule.
How do I enroll in an activity or program with AMC?
AMC offers a variety of guided adventures, including hiking, climbing, camping, biking, paddling, fishing, skiing, hut-to-hut trips, yoga retreats, wilderness courses, and more. Whether you choose from one of our trip packages or customize your own, experienced AMC guides are ready to show you some of their favorite spots along the way. You can browse activities and sign up at activities.outdoors.org.
How can I get involved with my local chapter?
Members are auto-assigned to their chapter based on their zip code. Members can call the Contact Center at 603-466-2727 and change their affiliation if they choose. Members or prospective members can check which chapter they will be assigned to by entering their zip code on this Chapters Map.
AMC’s 11 chapters support the organization’s mission and engage with their local communities to launch people on a path of outdoor stewardship. Once you ID your chapter, you can participate in a number of ways, like signing up for a hike, attending a program, or volunteering to help offer other trips and activities that suit your interest. You can learn more at outdoors.org/chapters.
How can I volunteer with AMC?
AMC volunteers get people outdoors and help them gain experience and expertise in the pursuit to protect the natural places we love. Volunteers support activities, programs, and goals throughout the region, with opportunities ranging from naturalists and alpine stewards to trip leaders and program speakers. You can learn more about all the volunteer opportunities by visiting outdoors.org/get-involved.
How do I make a donation?
Whether you choose to make a one-time gift, become a monthly sustainer, or pick an initiative that resonates with you, your tax-deductible gift will further the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. You can make a donation by visiting our website at outdoors.org/donate.