The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Kevin Nealon challenge dictionaries to redefine “Take A Hike”

Campaign encourages outdoor engagement, mental wellness,
and calls for a redefinition of “Take a Hike”
while protecting the Appalachian Trail for future generations.

To help celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has teamed up with comedian and hiking enthusiast Kevin Nealon to change the way we think — and talk — about the phrase “Take a Hike.” Long used as a rude dismissal, the campaign reclaims it as a powerful call to reconnect with nature and raise awareness for the protection of the Appalachian Trail.

Developed in partnership with creative agency RP3, the campaign, states a release, takes a bold, culture-first approach — far from a typical PSA — transforming a dusty idiom into a movement that invites everyone to reconnect with nature.

“We knew we had to create something culturally resonant that would wake people up,” said Tuesday Poliak, Chief Creative Officer at RP3. “Humor was the perfect way in — and Kevin Nealon was the perfect partner to deliver it.”

At the heart of the campaign is a petition calling on major dictionary publishers, including Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary, to add a modern, positive definition of “Take a Hike”: A friendly invitation to reset, recharge, and reconnect with the outdoors.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is calling on the public to join the movement by signing and sharing the petition, helping shift how we talk about hiking, wellness, and the positive power of being outdoors. Nealon’s humor and authenticity set the tone for a campaign that blends comedy and cause.

“Look, I’m not saying hiking solves everything,” said Nealon, known for his Saturday Night Live tenure and YouTube series Hiking with Kevin, “but I’ve never seen anyone come back from the woods angry. Hungry, maybe, but not angry. That’s why I love this campaign, it’s a reminder to reset, breathe and take a hike.”

The campaign is launching at a time when mental health challenges are increasingly widespread. Recent studies show that nearly half the global population will experience a mental health disorder by age 75, and more than 50% of Americans with a mental illness do not receive treatment (Mental Health America). The “Take a Hike” campaign champions the proven benefits of spending time in nature as a simple, accessible way to support mental and physical well-being.

“For 100 years, the Appalachian Trail has been a place of refuge, discovery, adventure, and connection,” said Sandi Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “Now more than ever, we all can benefit from taking a hike. With this campaign, we’re not just celebrating a century of stewardship, we’re inviting everyone to experience the restorative power of the Trail and help protect it for the next century.”
“It’s about shining a light on the mental health challenges so many are facing,” said Jeri Ward, Chief Growth Officer of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “We want to remind people that the Trail is more than a path through the woods — it’s a proven way to reset, recharge, and reconnect.”

“Millions of people know the Appalachian Trail, but far fewer know the organization that protects it,” added Ward. “This campaign helps change that — and ensures the ATC can continue its mission for the next hundred years.”

To learn more or sign the petition, please visit www.takeahikepetition.org.