Hike the Hill®

A landmark 30th year of Hike the Hill®, a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System, and a new Congress makes in-person attendance invaluable! 

In 2027, the trails community will be celebrating 30 years of collective impact! as a new Congress convenes in 2027-- welcoming 15 new Senators and 100+ new members of the House of Representatives, over one-quarter of Congress will be officials and offices we've never met with!

It is more critical than ever that our collective voice is heard as funding priorities, surface transportation legislation, and other critical trail and public lands legislation and federal policies are pursued. Attending in-person will allow you to educate new legislators, strengthen key relationships, and demonstrate the vital importance and value of trails. 

No experience is needed! Hike the Hill® is a great opportunity to meet with your elected officials for the first time in a structured effort that provides all the resources you need!

Registration Options

In- Person Hike the Hill® - $175 (Save $25 with a Hotel Room Block Reservation)

• Sunday Strategy Session
• Sunday Evening Special Hike the Hill 30th Anniversary Reception 
• REI Trails Celebration (Light Refreshments Included)
• Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings (Live and On-Demand), featuring:
  • New Congress Orientation
  • Federal Trail Data Updates, including staffing
  • FY27 and FY28 Trail Funding
  • Legacy Restoration Fund
  • Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Updates
  • Transportation Funding for Trails (Surface Transportation Reauthorization, including the Recreational Trails Program)
  • And more!
• Hike the Hill® Branded Advocacy Materials for Congressional Meetings (Talking Points, Fact Sheets, and Leave Behinds)
• Access to Congressional Staff Contact List
• Training Session and Resources on Running an Effective Congressional Meeting
• Group meetings with congressional committees and agency staff. (Registration does not guarantee a speaking role in group meetings. Participation may be limited due to capacity, issue focus, or any other reason.) 
• Lunch on Monday at the Department of Interior
• Local Issue Briefing Resources for when you return home
• Individual Congressional Office Meetings are scheduled on your own!

Local/Virtual Hike the Hill® Participation- $30

Celebrate the 30th Anniversary and make an impact virtually! Registration includes access to the weeklong Live and On-Demand Issue Briefings February 16-18, including new congress overview, agency trail and staffing data, and other expert-led training. You'll receive branded advocacy materials, a comprehensive Congressional Staff Contact List and local issue briefing resources for in-district meetings.

• Registration Includes:
• Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings (Live and On-Demand), featuring:
• New Congress Orientation
• Federal Trail Data Updates, including staffing
• FY27 and FY28 Trail Funding
• Legacy Restoration Fund
• Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Updates
• Transportation Funding for Trails (Surface Transportation Reauthorization, including the Recreational Trails Program)
• And more!
• Congressional Staff Contact List
• Hike the Hill® Branded Advocacy Materials for Congressional Meetings (Talking Points, Fact Sheets, and Leave Behinds)
• Individual registration is not shareable

Registration is non-refundable after February 12, 2027 
 

February 16-18: Virtual Issue Briefings

Daily 2pm-5pm EST

February 28- March 5: In-Person Hike the Hill®

Sunday, February 28

• 3-5pm: Welcome and Strategy Session at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
• 5pm- 7pm: Special Hike the Hill 30th® Anniversary Reception at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Event Space

Monday, March 1

• 9am-5pm: Department of the Interior Group Meetings (Requested AM Meeting)
• Foundation for America’s Public Lands Presentation (Immediately Following BLM Meeting)    

Tuesday March 2

• 9am-5pm: USDA Forest Service Group Meetings (Requested AM Meeting)
• 5:30-7:30pm: REI Trails Celebration (TBC)

Wednesday, March 3

• 9am-5pm:
  • Group Congressional Meetings (To Be Requested) 
  • House and Senate Interior Appropriations Committee
  • House Natural Resources/Senate Energy and Natural Resources
  • Senate Environment and Public Works/House Transportation and Infrastructure (Surface Transportation Reauthorization

Thursday, March 4

• 9am-5pm: Individual Congressional Meetings; Any Additional/Rescheduled Group Congressional Meetings

Friday, March 5

• 9am-5pm: Individual Congressional Meetings; Any Additional/Rescheduled Group Congressional Meetings
  
  *Registration does not guarantee a speaking role or attendance (Agency Leadership) in group meetings. Participation may be limited due to capacity, issue focus, or any other reason. 
   

The Hilton Garden Inn- US Capitol (NoMA) will serve as the Hike the Hill ® host hotel. We have secured a room block for a discounted rate of $189/night (single) plus tax and fees. Avg rate during this time is $300+. 

Hilton Garden Inn US Capitol (NoMA) is conviently located 1 minute from the NoMA Metro Station (Red Line) and is a short walk from the REI DC (hosting the Trails Celebration). Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided in the group rate. The hotel has many dining options onsite and nearby, space to gather with fellow attendees, and a business center. A grocery store and Starbucks are also next door. Standard rooms are 336-384 sq ft. and includes a desk, microwave, refrigerator, and tv.

Hotel Address: 1225 1 St. NE Washington, DC 20002

Check In: 4pm

Checkout: 12pm

Reservation Link or Call the Hotel Directly at 202-408-4870 and reference "American Hiking Society"

With 30 years of trail advocacy accomplishments and a quarter of Congress stepping into office for the first time, your presence in Washington, D in 2027 is essential!

Please reach out to Tyler Ray, tray@Americanhiking.org or Nora Kline, nora@pnts.org with any questions