Drinking Water

Frost free hydrant

NPS Photo

 

The average person drinks one quart of water per hour while hiking on a hot day. It's important to plan ahead and bring plenty of water. While you may use the water fountains during the warmer months in some of the developed areas of the Park, you'll need to plan ahead if you will be spending any time on a trail or in the backcountry, or if you plan on visiting the Park in the winter.

Although the Park has natural sources of clean, potable water, most springs and water sources along the trails are unprotected and susceptible to contamination by disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. People with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, infants, young children, and older adults are at increased risk of illness. With the exception of developed water fountains and marked water spigots within the Park, all water should be purified before it is used for drinking, cooking, food preparation, handwashing, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.

To purify water, boil it for at least two minutes, use a chemical treatment (purification tablets), or filter it through a portable water filtering system. If you choose to use purification tablets or a water filter system, follow the manufacturer's directions. Dishes, clothes, and hands should be washed well away from the water supply.

Natural water sources can fluctuate and may be dry at times. The tables below are updated periodically.

 

Natural Water Sources along the Appalachian Trail

AT Mile (NOBO)	Source Location	Comments
967.0	Indian Run Maintenance Building (38.8275, -78.1657)	Piped; steady flow; shallow pools (8/14/23)
959.0	Gravel Springs Hut (38.7642, -78.2334)	Steady flow (7/21/2026)
957.0	Hogback (38.7590, -78.2723)	Piped; good flow (4/10/2026)
954.0	Range View Cabin (38.7431, -78.2964)	Piped; steady flow; moderate pool (4/26/2026)
952.9	Elkwallow Gap (38.7430, -78.3137)	Piped; good flow (7/12/2026)
948.2	Beahms Gap spring (38.6972,-78.3222)	Piped; good flow (7/10/2026)
945.9	Pass Mountain Hut (38.6769, -78.3190)	Piped; good flow (7/9/2026)
941.5	Byrds Nest #3 Hut (38.6366, -78.3202)	Piped; strong flow (7/3/2026)
932.9	Crescent Rock stream (38.5623, -78.3839)	small stream across AT; minimal flow (7/16/2026)
930.6	Rock Spring Hut (38.5542, -78.4087)	Piped; 2 liters/min (7/18/2026)
919.1	Bearfence Mountain Hut (38.4440, -78.4704)	minimal flow, scoopable pool (7/5/2026)
916.4	Pocosin Cabin (38.4097, -78.4892)	Piped; 5 liters/min (7/15/2026)
912.7	South River Maintenance Building (38.3751, -78.5226)	Low flow; scoopable pool (8/16/23)
909.8	Swift Run Gap stream (38.35680, -78.5467)	minimal flow, not scoopable (7/19/2026)
907.2	Hightop box spring (38.3351, -78.5522)	Piped; minimal flow but scoopable (7/7/2026)
906.7	Hightop Hut (38.3333, -78.5594)	Piped; 1 liter/min (7/16/2026)
898.5	Pinefield Hut (38.2908, -78.6458)	Low flow but scoopable (7/7/2026)
894.8	Ivy Creek Maintenance Building (38.2650, -78.6543)	Piped; strong flow (5/21/2026)
890.5	Doyles River Trail (38.2507, -78.6828)	Piped; steady flow (10/6/2025)
885.3	Blackrock Hut (38.2145, -78.7430)	Piped; 5 liters/min (7/14/2026)
873.5	Jarman Gap spring (38.0970, -78.7782)	Good flow (7/12/2026)
872.9	stream (38.0910, -78.7823)	Low flow, not collectible (7/12/2026)
872.3	Calf Mountain Hut (38.0860, -78.7837)	Piped; 1.5 liters/min (7/13/2026)

Water Sources along Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive Mile	Water Source Location	Water Availability
4.8	Dickey Ridge VC/Picnic area	frost free hydrant (PA year round, VC seasonal)
22.1	Piney River Maintenance Office	frost free hydrant (year round)
24	Elkwallow Picnic Area	frost free hydrant (year round)
31.6	Thornton Gap Entrance Station	frost free hydrant (year round)
31.6	Panorama	frost free hydrant (year round)
36.7	Pinnacles Picnic area	frost free hydrant (year round)
42	Skyland area	frost free hydrant (stables area) (year round)
51	Big Meadows area (2)	frost free hydrant (Maintenance area/Visitor Center comfort station – both are year round)
57.8	Lewis Mtn. CG and Picnic area	Intermittent (shut off for winter)
65.4	Swift Run Entrance Station	frost free hydrant (year round)
73.1	Simmons Gap area (2)	frost free hydrant (Trails cache / Maintenance area - both are year round)
80	Loft Mtn CG and Wayside area	Intermittent (shut off for winter)

Additional Natural Water Sources

Nearest Trail	Source Location	Water Availability
Saddle Trail (Old Rag)	Old Rag Day Use Shelter (35.5545, -78.3296)	Piped; minimal flow, no pool (1/8/2026)