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Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail. Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail. Problem: impacts to campsites (soil; vegetation; trees; expansion; crowding; conflict; depreciative behavior) Strategies: limit use; reduce the impact of use; harden the resource
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Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail • Problem: impacts to campsites (soil; vegetation; trees; expansion; crowding; conflict; depreciative behavior) • Strategies: limit use; reduce the impact of use; harden the resource • Practices: facility development/site design/ maintenance; rationing/allocation; rules/ regulations; information/education
Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail • Appalachian Trail • National Trails System • Green Mountain Club • Annapolis Rocks (Maryland) (“ the worst campground along the Appalachian Trail”) • Purchase of land by NPS and Maryland Department of Natural Resources • “Side-hill” campsite construction • Group size limit (10) • Maximum of 75 campers
Building a Better Campsite Along the Appalachian Trail • Alcohol and campfires prohibited • Composting toilets • Old camping fenced and rehabilitated • Rules and regulations posted • Ridgerunners/caretakers • Leave No Trace • Area of disturbance reduced from 40,000 sq. feet to 3,000 sq. feet • Higher visitor satisfaction