Three locations. One shared responsibility.
There’s a simple truth about trails like the Benton MacKaye:
They don’t stay wild and beautiful on their own.
They are cared for—by people who show up.
Clean Trails Day is one of the most visible ways that care takes shape. It’s a day when the community gathers across multiple access points along the trail to take responsibility for the places we all enjoy.
This year, volunteers and visitors will find BMTA and U.S. Forest Service representatives stationed at three key locations, each offering a slightly different perspective on the trail—and on stewardship.
For full event details, including specific meeting points and driving directions to each location, visit the official Clean Trails Day page:
👉 https://bmta.org/2026-clean-trails-day/
Fall Branch Falls
Fall Branch Falls is one of the most accessible and visually striking destinations along the BMT corridor. A relatively short walk leads to a multi-tiered waterfall, drawing a wide range of visitors—from experienced hikers to families and first-time trail users.
That accessibility is exactly why it matters on Clean Trails Day.
High visitation naturally leads to higher impact. Litter, off-trail wandering, and well-intentioned but uninformed use can quickly degrade an area like this.
At this location, BMTA and Forest Service representatives will:
- Share Leave No Trace principles in a highly visible setting
- Help visitors understand how small actions affect heavily used areas
- Encourage responsible use where the trail meets casual recreation
This is often where stewardship begins—with awareness.
Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
The Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is one of the most recognizable features along the Benton MacKaye Trail—a 260-foot suspension bridge that serves as both a crossing and a destination.
It draws steady traffic throughout the year.
Unlike Fall Branch Falls, where visitors tend to stay in one place, the bridge creates movement—people crossing, gathering, taking photos, and continuing along the trail. That constant flow makes it an important location for outreach.
Here, representatives will focus on:
- Trail etiquette in shared, high-traffic areas
- Safety awareness around popular features
- Keeping access points and surrounding areas clean
For many visitors, this is their first real encounter with the BMT. That makes it a key place to reinforce what responsible use looks like.
Bald River Falls
Bald River Falls offers a very different kind of access to the BMT experience. Located in the Cherokee National Forest near Tellico Plains, this large, roadside waterfall is immediately visible and requires little to no hiking to reach.
That ease of access brings a high volume of visitors—many of whom are not traditional hikers.
Because of that, this location plays a unique role on Clean Trails Day.
Here, stewardship meets the broader public.
BMTA and Forest Service representatives at Bald River Falls will:
- Engage visitors who may be new to trail systems entirely.
- Introduce basic principles of outdoor responsibility and respect.
- Highlight the connection between roadside attractions and larger trail networks like the BMT.
This site is less about reaching hikers—and more about reaching future stewards.
More Than Cleanup
At each of these locations, the presence of BMTA and Forest Service representatives transforms a simple cleanup into something more meaningful.
Visitors can:
- Ask questions about the trail.
- Learn how maintenance decisions are made.
- Understand the challenges of managing a long-distance trail.
- See how volunteer efforts connect to a broader system of care.
These conversations create understanding—and often, long-term involvement.
Why It Matters
Across nearly 300 miles of trail, small impacts add up quickly.
A single piece of trash rarely stays alone. Over time, patterns form—and those patterns shape the experience of the trail.
Clean Trails Day addresses that directly.
It also reinforces something just as important:
- Trails require ongoing care.
- Stewardship is shared responsibility.
- Every visitor has a role.
The Benton MacKaye Trail remains what it is because people continue to show up—not just to hike, but to take care of it.
A Different Way to Experience the Trail
There is something different about walking a place you’ve helped care for.
You notice more.
You feel more connected.
You see the trail not just as a path—but as something shared.
Call to Action
If you’re planning to attend, be sure to check the official event page for complete directions and meeting details for all three locations:
👉 https://bmta.org/2026-clean-trails-day/
If you’re nearby, consider stopping in—even for a short time.
Pick up a bag.
Ask a question.
Spend an hour giving back.
Clean Trails Day is made possible through partnership and shared stewardship, and BMTA is grateful for the support of our partners at AllTrails and the United States Forest Service.
And if you can’t attend, carry the same principle with you every time you hike:
Leave the trail better than you found it.
