keith.rich
Everything I read online states that you can't tent camp at the shelters on the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains? Or can you?
Answer
If you only want to hike the smokies, i would advise you to hike other trails because the AT gets booked in the smokies- very crowded and cramped. I took some back trails up to Clingmans Dome only meeting up with the AT for a few miles and it was great, only saw a few people. I also didnt make any reservations and tent camped wherever looked good (thats against the rules though).
Also there's ample tent space in front of and to the side of most of the shelters in the Smokys. It is technically against the rules, but its always fine. The ridgerunners have no enforcement capability and chances of receiving a fine are low.
These are technically the rules from the ATC:
Backcountry camping permits are required for all backpackers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most visitors must reserve in advance a space in a specific shelter or campsite. However, the park recognizes the difficulty long-distance hikers have in setting a detailed itinerary far enough in advance to obtain a reservation, and has allowed some flexibility for thru-hikers. There are no fees for entering the park or staying overnight in the backcountry.
You are not supposed to tent camp because tent camping causes more wear on the enviroment and increases the human footprint in the area.
If you only want to hike the smokies, i would advise you to hike other trails because the AT gets booked in the smokies- very crowded and cramped. I took some back trails up to Clingmans Dome only meeting up with the AT for a few miles and it was great, only saw a few people. I also didnt make any reservations and tent camped wherever looked good (thats against the rules though).
Also there's ample tent space in front of and to the side of most of the shelters in the Smokys. It is technically against the rules, but its always fine. The ridgerunners have no enforcement capability and chances of receiving a fine are low.
These are technically the rules from the ATC:
Backcountry camping permits are required for all backpackers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most visitors must reserve in advance a space in a specific shelter or campsite. However, the park recognizes the difficulty long-distance hikers have in setting a detailed itinerary far enough in advance to obtain a reservation, and has allowed some flexibility for thru-hikers. There are no fees for entering the park or staying overnight in the backcountry.
You are not supposed to tent camp because tent camping causes more wear on the enviroment and increases the human footprint in the area.
Can you pitch a tent anywhere in the Smokies?
Fabulously
I'm planning a 4 day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and was curious whether you can camp anywhere or just in the "designated areas"? and if it is only in the designated areas, how heavily is this enforced?
Also, if anyone has any good combination of trails to take, that would be greatly appreciated as well. thanks.
Answer
Stop at the welcome center and get a back country camping permit, they will also give you a map of the trails and designated camping area and answer any other questions about camping along the trails in the park. Also check out their website and you can plan your trip ahead of time. http://www.nps.gov/grsm
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in America. It can be really busy during peak season but once past the trail heads near the roads you will usually have the area to yourself.
Stop at the welcome center and get a back country camping permit, they will also give you a map of the trails and designated camping area and answer any other questions about camping along the trails in the park. Also check out their website and you can plan your trip ahead of time. http://www.nps.gov/grsm
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in America. It can be really busy during peak season but once past the trail heads near the roads you will usually have the area to yourself.
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