About us
The Potomac Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) was established in 1984. It is the southernmost of the 11 regional AMC chapters and has 3,000 members that live mainly in Maryland, northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, as well as eastern West Virginia.
Chapter activities include day-hiking, backpacking, paddling, biking, and social get-togethers. In addition, the Chapter organizes various conservation initiatives and workdays, engages in non-partisan conservation activism, and offers education and leadership opportunities. Most of our Chapter’s outings are open to the public.
Beginner or expert, the AMC Potomac Chapter has something for everyone. With activities that include hiking, biking, paddling, backpacking, and more. We're sure you will find something you love. Beyond just the trips, training, and conservation advocacy, we are a group that encourages community and camaraderie among its members. Open and welcoming to anyone with an interest in the outdoors, we hope that the shared knowledge and experiences between all of us will help you to grow within the outdoor community and create connections and friendships for a lifetime.
Chapter AMC members receive the award-winning “AMC Outdoors” magazine 10 times per year, chapter newsletters, and other AMC benefits including discounts at AMC facilities and events. You can find more information about the Potomac Chapter at https://www.outdoors.org/chapters/potomac and AMC at http://www.outdoors.org .
WHAT SETS US APART THE OTHER MEETUP GROUPS?
• Professionally trained volunteer leaders (https://www.outdoors.org/skills-leadership/leadership-skills/) means our trips are well organized, safe, AND fun!
• Activities are open to anyone, no membership dues are required, but your support helps (https://www.outdoors.org/get-involved).
• Your support helps us continue to protect more than 100,000 acres of land and 2,000 miles of trails (https://www.outdoors.org/conservation) under the care of the Appalachian Mountain Club.
While our Meetup showcases some of our best activities provided by the Chapter, they don't all make it to this page and often you will only see a small fraction of what is available! If you would like to see the full assortment of upcoming activities offered by the AMC Potomac Chapter, please click here: https://activities.outdoors.org/search/?view=7&grp=11 .
Also, if you would like to be part of our community and join in the conversation please consider following us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AMCPotomac/.
Let's get outdoors!!!
Upcoming events
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AMC 150 Bicycle Harpers Ferry to DC to Wilmington, Multiple One-Day Trips
Location not specified yetJoin us in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) by riding your bicycle along any one of several segments between Harpers Ferry and Wilmington, Delaware, from March 22 through April 2. The rides range in length between 16 mi and 41 mi, traveling on packed gravel of the C&O towpath, level off-street paved multi-use trails, and paved roadways. The following are some, but not all of the trips that are open for registration by using the AMC Outdoor connector website, https://activities.outdoors.org. Search for events by choosing the Potomac Chapter or AMC 150 as Program Type.
3/23/26, Whites Ferry to Great Falls 21 mi
3/27/26, National Mall to Hyattsville 14 mi
3/30/26, W.B.A Trail from Bowie to Baltimore Harbor 25 mi
3/31/26, Greenway Trail from Baltimore Harbor 16 mi
4/1/26, Baltimore to Havre De Grace 41 mi
4/2/26, Perryville Maryland to Wilmington Delaware 40 miSince 1876, AMC has connected people to the outdoors through recreation, education, and conservation. In 2026, we celebrate 150 years of that legacy with the AMC 150th Relay—a 1,500-mile journey from Virginia to Maine. Each leg of the relay contributes to a continuous route across the Northeast, showcasing the diversity of AMC’s outdoor legacy. Join the celebration by participating in a relay segment, attending a local event, or sharing your AMC story. Together, we’ll honor the past and shape the future of outdoor adventure.
4 attendees
AMC 150 WB&A Trail at Patuxent Bridge
Location not specified yetLet’s celebrate AMC’s 150th Birthday – join us for this leg of the AMC 150 Relay in Maryland! We'll walk an 8.3-mile section of the WB&A Trail. This rail-trail was converted from an electric commuter railway that served Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis. The trail winds its way between Prince Georges County and Anne Arundel County, offering a mix of woods, water, and residential communities along the asphalt path. A bridge across the Patuxent River was completed in Spring 2025, now linking Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County.
No dogs. This is a through hike that will require making shuttle arrangements. All participants must register individually for the hike at https://activities.outdoors.org so that the waiver is signed, an emergency contact is provided, and for more updated info about the event. Severe weather such as heavy rain or thunderstorm will cancel, drizzle will not. If in doubt, or have any questions, contact leader by 7 AM day of hike. Leader Desiree Smith/ As of mid-March, no bathrooms at the start/stop points or along the trail so plan to stop for a bio break on your way to the start.
Direct link to the event:
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN0000022Q5J2AU/act00017861This activity is scheduled in conjunction with Appalachian Mountain Club’s 150 Relay celebration. From March to October, volunteers from AMC are offering a succession of hikes and other outdoor activities from Virginia to Maine, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1876. Though historically rooted in New England, over time AMC has expanded and established regional chapters through the Mid-Atlantic, including today’s host Potomac Chapter.
The trail offers a peek behind the curtain of suburbia, with marshy wetlands, woods, bridges and tunnels, along with some trail sections that pass through residential neighborhoods and some road crossings.
Participants should expect a mostly relaxed walk with little elevation, plus a mix of sun and shade exposure.2 attendees
Past events
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