The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has released a new set of Forever stamps celebrating the iconic Appalachian Trail.
Why It Matters
The stamps are the latest in the Postal Service’s Forever series, which—as the name suggests—are stamps that can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter regardless of when they are bought or used, even if postal prices change in the future. Forever stamps are always sold at the same price as a regular First-Class Mail stamp.
What To Know
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled a new collection of Forever stamps honoring the Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian Trail, which spans 14 states along the Eastern Seaboard, traces its origins to a 1921 proposal by forester Benton MacKaye. The footpath, officially completed in 1937 with the help of Civilian Conservation Corps workers during the Great Depression, has since become a haven for hikers, offering a respite from modern life. Today, the trail remains protected through federal and volunteer-led conservation efforts.
The new Appalachian Trail stamp collection includes 15 photos showcasing different parts of the trail, from Maine’s Mount Katahdin to Georgia’s rolling hills. Designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá, the stamps also feature well-known spots like McAfee Knob in Virginia and Mount Washington in New Hampshire, along with images of waterfalls, forests, and rivers along the trail.
Daniel Tangherlini, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, highlighted the trail’s significance, calling it “a very American story” shaped by grassroots efforts and government cooperation. “The natural beauty of the Appalachian Trail has delighted millions throughout the years,” Tangherlini said, adding that its preservation continues to be a collaborative effort.
Sandra Marra, president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), emphasized the importance of the new stamps in spotlighting one of America’s most treasured landscapes. “These stamps wonderfully display the wild and scenic beauty of the trail and its landscape, which attracts, motivates and inspires millions of people from around the world to step foot on this beloved path and walk away transformed,” she said.
The Appalachian Trail stamps are not the only Forever stamps. In September 2024, the Postal Service unveiled two new designs for its Forever range. One of the designs commemorated the 250th anniversary of the First Continental Congress, the meeting that laid the foundations for American independence from British rule. The other stamp was designed to express gratitude to health care workers.
Two other new designs of Forever stamps came into circulation the same month. One celebrated the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, while the other commemorated Kwanzaa, a festival that celebrates African American culture.
A fact sheet published by the Postal Service said Forever stamps were created “for consumers’ ease of use during price changes.” They are sold in booklets of 10 or 20 stamps, and they can even be used on international mail. However, “since all international prices are higher than domestic prices, customers will need to attach additional postage.”
In January, the U.S. Postal Service said it plans to raise prices this year including shipping rates for priority mail, which will increase by more than 3 percent. Additionally, Ground Advantage rates will be raised by just under 4 percent.
The agency’s board of governors said they believe the higher rates will keep the delivery provider competitive while providing it “with needed revenue.”
It comes after USPS announced price rises last summer, sparking a backlash. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy insisted the move was necessary to save a “broken business model.”
The Postal Service’s operating revenue increased 1.7 percent year over year to $79.5 billion in fiscal year 2024, but it posted a $9.5-billion net loss.
What People Are Saying
Daniel Tangherlini, a member of USPS Board of Governors, said: “The natural beauty of the Appalachian Trail has delighted millions throughout the years. The trail’s creation is a very American story. It exists thanks to a collaboration between the government and the people. That same grassroots spirit helps preserve the trail today. Those who hike the trail have the opportunity to summit Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the northeast, walk along a peaceful creek, or follow in the footsteps of history where the trail becomes part of the towpath for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.”
Sandra Marra, president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, said: “The issuance of the Appalachian Trail Forever stamps is a marvelous way to spotlight and celebrate one of our country’s most treasured places during the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s centennial year in 2025. The ATC works passionately to manage and protect the A.T., and these stamps wonderfully display the wild and scenic beauty of the trail and its landscape, which attracts, motivates and inspires millions of people from around the world to step foot on this beloved path and walk away transformed.”
What Happens Next
The Appalachian Trail Forever stamps are now available for purchase nationwide at Post Office locations, online at The Postal Store, and through the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. More information on stamps and First Day of Issue ceremonies can be found at StampsForever.com.
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