Upcoming events
Appalachian Trail Days
We’re heading to Appalachian Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia, and we’d love to see you there! The Appalachian Trail Days Festival is the biggest event of the year in Damascus and the world’s largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture!
From May 16-18, 2025, we’ll be there and probably have some Pinhoti merch with us. oh- and stickers—so come find us and say hello!
Look for us sporting our Pinhoti Jolly Gear shirts, and let’s celebrate the trail community together. Whether you're a thru-hiker, section hiker, or just love the outdoors, Trail Days is an amazing event filled with great people, live music, and all things hiking.
📍 Where: Appalachian Trail Days, Damascus, VA
📅 When: May 16-18, 2025
Come hang out, support Damascus and show your Pinhoti pride! See you there!
Pinhoti Fest 2025
"Pinhoti Fest is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of adventure, community, and the incredible Pinhoti Trail! Every year, hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and trail advocates come together for a weekend filled with inspiring speakers, gear vendors, live music, workshops, food trucks and the best trail community vibes around. Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or just discovering the outdoors, Pinhoti Fest is the perfect place to connect, learn, and celebrate the wild spaces we love. Join us in 2025 for an unforgettable weekend—because the Pinhoti Trail deserves to be celebrated!"
Southern States 200
Join Us at the Southern States 200 – Mile 174 Aid Station!
We’re excited to support another incredible trail community at the Southern States 200, a grueling 200-mile ultramarathon that pushes runners to their limits. Our team will be set up at Mile 174, and we’d love for you to join us!
Come cheer on these ambitious runners as they take on the challenge of a lifetime. Whether you want to camp out with us or just stop by for a few hours, your support and energy will mean the world to these athletes.
We’ll have the griddle going, so bring your favorite drinks and snacks, and let’s make this an unforgettable experience for both runners and supporters alike.
Book Signing At REI
If you love talking Pinhoti, this event is for you!
From 9 AM - 12 PM at REI in Birmingham, we’ll be hanging out, signing books, and chatting about everything from trail conditions to upcoming events (yes, we’re already planning Pinhoti Fest 2025!).
Got a question about resupplies, hostels, or shuttle options? Need a packing tip? Or just want to swap stories with fellow hikers? Stop by and let’s talk trail!
NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY
Let’s hit the Pinhoti Trail and don’t forget to share your pics!!
Pinhoti overnight Luau and campout at porter’s gap
Join us at Porter's Gap Trailhead for a luau (which is Hawaiian for Pinhoti 100 Aid Station) and a camp out. Bring a side dish to share. We'll provide hamburgers and hotdogs. We will be setting up at 3:30pm and will start seeing runners around 7. This is a great way for us to serve others on trail (this is mile 69 of the race) And we have a blast. There will be a firepit as well. hope you can join us, even if it's just for a few hours.
Pinhoti Fest 2024
Pinhoti Fest is the Annual Pinhoti Trail kick-off Celebration held every year during the last full weekend of September in Sylacauga, Alabama. Join us for camping in the park, live music, great speakers and the incredible gear vendors. Come meet the trail town reps, and plan your Pinhoti Trail Hike.
Party on the Porch
Pinhoti Experience Foundation is excited to be the Beneficiary of the August 2nd Party on the Porch. More details coming soon!!!
Alabama Outdoors Presents Party on the Porch, bringing local musicians, breweries, food trucks, and artisans together for an evening you do not want to miss. This is a family-friendly event, with activities for kids, a dog-friendly atmosphere, corn hole, giveaways, and loads of fun! Attendance is free, but we ask that of-age attendees donate (not required) $10 for a wristband and a souvenir cup with your donation going to a local non-profit organization at the event.
https://alabamaoutdoors.com/blog/party-on-the-porch-august-2-2024/
Facebook Live- Announcements
Find the Event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/HjzruuXyqJGknePt/
Backpacking 101
Learn the basics of backpacking, from packing essentials to cooking on trail, in our fun and hands-on Backpacking 101 event! Register here
Included in the price is 8 hours of workshop time, hostel use fee, event t-shirt, Dinner Friday night, Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and your camp meal on Saturday night.
You will need to bring:
- your own tent (car camping is allowed, but the beds in the hostel are reserved for hikers)
- toiletries
-although not required, bring any backpacking equipment you may already have. (this will help us answer any questions you might have.
-if you have it, Cook pot and fuel
Note- if you are an experienced backpacker, please do not sign up for this class. This is for those who are new to overnight backpacking. (don't worry though, we are working on a more advanced option too)
Pinhoti Fest
The Pinhoti Experience Foundation and The Pinhoti Outdoor Center, are kicking off the 2023-24 hiking season with Pinhoti Fest on September 22-24. We are expecting over 2000 visitors to gather at Noble Park in downtown Sylacauga to take advantage of our demonstrations and mini-workshops, jam to live music, listen to our very inspiring speaker, and to shop and learn from over 30 vendors and food trucks at this kick-off at the south end of the Pinhoti Trail.
The event is free and open to guests of all ages. Visitors from out of town are invited to join for the weekend and camp in the park. No reservations are required; just bring a tent and pitch it in the park for free beginning at 9am on Friday September 22. Spend the day shopping and dining in downtown Sylacauga. (Don’t forget to visit the famous Blue Bell Parlor before 4:30 to get your Scoop of Ice Cream for just $1.00.)
Saturday’s events will feature Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, Currently a world record paddler and hiker. His latest documentary “Grey Beard, The Man, the Myth, The Mississippi” Will be showing at the BB Comer Library at 10:00 am as well as 1:00pm. Saturday evening, we will hear from Grey Beard himself on the main stage. You won’t want to miss him, he will inspire you like no other.
Health and Wellness Fair
Join us at Heritage South Credit Union on highway 280 for their annual Health and Wellness Fair from 9am-4pm. We will be sharing some health and safety tips while outdoors.
Party on the Porch
Come Visit the Pinhoti Experience Foundation and Pinhoti Outdoor Center Booth
3054 Independence Dr, Homewood, AL 35209
Party on the Porch at Alabama Outdoors Homewood store focuses on giving back to our local community and raising environmental awareness for conservation, access, usage, and education.
Party on the Porch brings together local musicians, breweries, food trucks, and artisans for an evening you do not want to miss. This is a family-friendly event, with activities for kids, a dog-friendly atmosphere, corn hole, giveaways, and loads of fun! Attendance is free, but we ask that of-age attendees donate (not required) $10 for a wristband and a souvenir cup with your donation going to a local non-profit organization at the event.