Celebrating its 29th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, and other top priority issues that sustain trails and improve access to public lands.
Registration is now open for Hike the Hill® 2026!
Virtual Issue Briefings February, 17-19, 2026
Issue Briefings Presented in Partnership with American Trails
In-Person Hike the Hill® in Washington, DC March 1-5, 2026
Register Now!
Celebrating its 29th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, and reauthorizing the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund.
In 2026 the trails community faces a continued sense of urgency. It is paramount that the trails community’s voice is heard by attending in-person to strengthen key relationships and demonstrate the importance and value of trails.
Schedule of Events
February 9-11 Virtual Issue Briefings
March 1-5 In-Person Hike the Hill®
Sunday, March 1:
- 1pm-3pm Welcome and Strategy Session
- 4pm- 6pm American Hiking Society 50th Anniversary Reception or
- Evening Gathering or Evening Gathering (TBC)
Monday, March 2:
- Department of the Interior Group Meetings (Requested)
Tuesday March 3:
- 9am-5pm USDA Forest Service Group Meetings (Requested)
- 5:30-7:30pm REI Trails Celebration
Wednesday, March 4:
- Congressional Meetings (Group and Individual)
- Thursday, March 5:
- Congressional Meetings (Group and Individual)
*Registration does not guarantee a speaking role or attendance in group meetings. Participation may be limited due to capacity, issue focus, or any other reason.
Registration Types
In- Person Hike the Hill® – $150
- Sunday Welcome and Strategy Session
- American Hiking 50th Anniversary Reception or Evening Gathering (TBC)
- REI Trails Celebration on Tuesday,March 2 from 5:30-7:30pm (Light Refreshments Included)
- Hike the Hill® Issue Briefing Participation (Live and Recording Available)
- Lunch on Monday if attending Department of Interior Meetings
- 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.)
- Individual Congressional Office Meetings (scheduled on your own) as part of the collective Hike the Hill® effort.
- Local Issue Briefing Resources for when you return home
Local/Virtual Hike the Hill® Participation- $40
Unable to attend in-person or prefer a virtual option? Local/Virtual registration is a great value that provides access to exclusive training and resources for local meetings and issue briefings from advocacy experts.
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- Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings (Live and Recording Available)
- Training Session and Resources on Running an Effective Virtual or Local Meeting
- NEW Hike the Hill® Branded Advocacy Materials for Congressional Meetings (Talking Points, Fact Sheets, and Leave Behinds)
- No Group Meeting Participation is Available for Virtual Participants
- Individual registration is not shareable
Registration is non-refundable after February 13, 2026
Register Now!
Host Hotel- Hilton Garden Inn US Capitol (NoMA)
Room Block Deadline is February 6, 2025
The Hilton Garden Inn- US Capitol (NoMA) will serve as the Hike the Hill® host hotel. We have secured a room block for $179/night (Single) plus tax and fees. Hilton Garden Inn US Capitol (NoMA) is conveniently located 1-minute from the NoMa Metro Station (Red Line) and a short walk from the REI DC (hosting the Trails Celebration). 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 include a desk, microwave, refrigerator, and tv.
Please note: While nearby this is a different hotel than last year.
Hotel Address: 1225 1 St. Street NE Washington, District Of Columbia 20002
Check-In: 4pm
Checkout:12pm
Reservation Link or Call the Hotel Directly at 202-408-4870 and reference “American Hiking Society”
If this is your first Hike the Hill®, you haven’t attended in a few years, or are looking to return to Washington, DC, we encourage you to join us in 2026!
Please reach out to Tyler Ray, tray@americanhiking.org or
Cara Yendrzeski, cara@pnts.org with any questions.