Long Distance Trails Crew
Meeting Place: The location varies for each work trip. Please see upcoming events for details.
Work Days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every other week
Frequency: Every other weekend from the end of March through the beginning of December
About the Crew
Established in November 2011, the Long Distance Trails Crew (LDTC) is an all-volunteer team dedicated to constructing and rehabilitating trails such as the Appalachian Trail, Long Path, Shawangunk Ridge Trail, and Highlands Trail in New York, west of the Hudson River. Our passion is working in the woods and creating trails that offer lasting enjoyment to hikers. We take pride in the camaraderie that comes from teamwork and in leaving a positive, enduring impact on the landscape.
The LDTC has successfully relocated and rehabilitated trails from the Catskills down to Harriman and Tallman Mountain State Parks. Our work goes beyond routine maintenance, often involving technical projects such as building crib walls, stepping stones, stairways, and trail treads with rock and earth. We’ve also constructed various types of bridges over creeks and wetlands using heavy lumber.
Our goal is to create trails that invite hikers to explore further while ensuring long-term sustainability. By using local materials and achieving a natural, integrated look, we enhance both the trail’s beauty and the surrounding environment.
Get Involved
If you would like to volunteer, sign up for one of our scheduled work trips (see Upcoming Work Trips below and click on the More Details button to go to the sign-up page).
To receive notices of upcoming work trips, email [email protected] and ask to be added to our monthly Stewardship newsletter.
For all trips bring work gloves, plenty of water, and a lunch you can eat on the trails. Trips will usually be canceled if it’s raining. To volunteer with the crew, visit our Events Page.
Where We Work
Minnewaska State Park, Schunnemunk Mountain State Park, Storm King State Park, Black Rock Forest.
Training
No experience is necessary and beginners are encouraged to join us! We provide onsite training for each work trip.
Looking to learn a specific skill? Check out our workshop schedule for specialized courses being offered near you.
Learn More
- 2023 LDTC Promo Video
- 2023 LDTC Presentation Video
- LDTC ‘Rack Card’ – used by the LDTC crew leaders to provide hikers and prospective volunteers with information about the crew
- 2021 Nyack Beach State Park Walk-through Video
- 2021 Nyack Beach State Park Walk-through Video (2x Speed)
- LDTC Annual Reports and Project Photos – Annual reports and project photos from over 42,000 volunteer hours since 2015
See what the other Trail Crews are working on and learn more about how you can get involved!