2026 Gathering of Friends
April 10-12, 2026
Asheville, North Carolina
The 2026 weekend in Asheville will include:
- Early bird meet-up on Thursday evening
- Friday welcome reception and dinner at Highland Brewing
- Saturday Friends of the MST annual meeting at A-B Tech Community College
- Recognition of MST volunteers and completers
- Guided tours, excursions and hikes
- Opportunities to learn from and connect with local partners and learn about community recovery efforts in the Asheville area
- Time for fellowship with Friends of the MST and MORE!
When?
April 10-12, 2026
Who?
You! All are welcome to attend the annual Gathering of Friends. If you are a current member of the Friends of the MST, we’re excited to have you back. Want to bring a guest? Simply include them with your registration (you’ll see a guest option on the registration page). If you aren’t a current member, you are welcome to join today or when you register for this event. Become a member today or join the Friends of the MST when you register by simply selecting non-member pricing which includes a $35 donation to become a member.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Gathering of Friends. The Gathering is our yearly membership event. We welcome anyone to attend, and if you are not yet a member of Friends of the MST, you’ll see non-member pricing that includes a yearly membership. These prices do not include lodging (see hotel info below).
- Full event for members: Friday reception (dinner included) and Saturday annual meeting (lunch included) $95
- Non-member $130 (includes your $35 annual membership)
- Friday only for members: Welcome reception and dinner $50
- Non-member $85 (includes your $35 annual membership)
- Saturday only for members: 2026 annual meeting and lunch $50
- Non-member $85 (includes your $35 annual membership)
Hotel Blocks
Our event venues are in Asheville and we have room blocks in two nearby hotels for attendees. Discounted event rates are available Thursday, April 9 – Sunday, April 12, 2026. Please contact one of the hotels or campgrounds listed below directly to reserve your lodging.
Crowne Plaza Resort (1 Resort Drive, Asheville)
Three ways to reserve your room:
1) Call 844-330-0296 (24/7) to the central reservations call center and mention group name Gathering of Friends 2026 or group code GOF for the special group rate.
2) Call 828-285-2603 Monday – Friday, 9:00am–4:30pm and ask for in-house reservations mentioning Gathering of Friends 2026.
3) Use the booking link Gathering of Friends 2026, which will automatically add the contracted block dates and the group code.
Brookstone Lodge (4 Roberts Road, Asheville)
To reserve your room, call (828) 398-5888 and ask to book your room with the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail group.
Asheville Bear Creek RV Park (81 S. Bear Creek Rd)
To make a reservation, call 828-253-0798 or make a request on their website. No tent camping.
We can’t wait to see you at the 2026 Gathering of Friends!
