Reliable water intel for every long-distance hiker.
WaterSource is a community-driven guidebook for water sources along long-distance trails. Hikers file quick field reports; stewards and trail associations keep the base data accurate. Together we answer the question every thru-hiker asks at every switchback: is there water ahead, and can I trust it?
Field-verified water
Every source is shaped by hiker reports and steward review — we surface what's flowing now, not a stale guidebook entry.
Shared trust
Freshness badges, upvotes, and flagging keep the dataset honest. Community moderation, not a single gatekeeper.
Mile-marker accurate
Sources snap to real trail geometry so you know exactly where the next reliable water is.
Built with stewards
Trail associations and land managers can adopt a trail and keep its water data current.
Who we are
WaterSource is built by a small team of long-distance hikers, trail maintainers, and software engineers who got tired of out-of-date water notes. We're not a guidebook publisher — we're a community platform. The data on this site comes from hikers like you who take a moment at every creek crossing to file a quick report, and from trail stewards who verify and curate that data so the next hiker can plan with confidence. Whether you're a thru-hiker, section hiker, backpacker, or day hiker on any major long-distance trail, WaterSource is for you.
Water conditions change quickly and this data depends on other hikers and available regional data — it is not a substitute for your own route research and a backup water plan. When in doubt, carry more than you think you need.
Partner with us
Trail association, club, or land manager? Tell us which trail you care about and how you'd like to help verify or contribute data. We'll follow up.
Partnership intake is a placeholder — submissions are recorded, not yet processed by a live backend.