I will be hiking the AT through the smokies. I am aware that I need to have a backcountry reservation. I was wondering do i do this when i get there(i know you can pick them up at sugarlands or somewhere else), or do i need to fill something out prior to leaving for my trip, also, i am figuring it’s going to be quite crowded, beginning of april, so i am planning on tenting mostly, are there spots at all the shelters where i could tent, just making sure, thanks
clong
clong
We did do this one, bro. Took me a minute to find it.
http://www.trailforums.com/index2.cfm?action=detail&PostNum=233&Thread=4&roomID=7&entryID=1452
BW
thanx bw, but i’m still a little confused, i don’t really mind if i don’t stay in the shelter, i’m taking a tent anyway so i’d almost rather tent and get the extra warmth, but do i still need to fill out a permit right before i start
clong
They want to track people flow and where you are, sort of. If you grab a permit at the dam and head in, I think you’ll get checked at the dam by the guard, maybe not. Stay near the shelters to lower the impact. When we went they were over run with weekenders. If you get a troop in some will have to tent. We met the one cop that covered the whole park. Funding he said. Just be cool if you get stopped and tellt hem what you’re doing. You’re fine. It’s the ones that don’t have a pass, at the dam shelter lot, that get caught and busted. No pass/ID, no hikey. The fine could be rough.
But then we’ve hiked in places where they never check the register box for a month, it’s full of paper. Cover you’re butt and fill one out. I know some women don’t fill reg forms out or use men’s names to be safer. You could use Irene or Doris, Thorberta? Where am I going with this? :cheers
BW
When you get to the Fontana Lake Parking lot (the road that goes into Fontana Village), there is a restroom facility (with a coke machine) there. Near the restroom facility, there is a little information board about the Smokies, that has permit cards that you can fill out and drop off in a little box on the information board.
bearbait
Here some of the information off the back of a map of the Smoky’s. How to get a backcountry permit. An overnight stay in the backcounty will need a permit.You may self-register for a permit at any ranger station by following posted instructions, but your intinerary may require access to a phone. Reason some sites are rationed, you must call the Backcountry Reservation Office (615) 436-1231 open 7 days 8 to 6 pm. to obtain permission for use of those sites. Failure invalidates your permit.
You may make reservations up to a month ahead of trips start. Plan your trip before your call and indicate exactly which site you intend to occupy for each night of your trip. IF no rationed sites are involved you may obtain your permit via self registration upon arrival in the park.
I did the above when I hike part of the Smoky’s. I hiked side trails to the AT then back to Fontana Dam where I started out. Boyd
Boyd
Read the rules for Great Smokies National Park. The free permit with out reservations are for backpackers who start at least 50 miles before the park boundry, and continue at least 50 miles beyond. It’s good only along the AT, not on the side trails.
So, if you plan to hike just from Fontana to Davenport, then you theoretically need to have a reservation with the Park. I suggest going to their website and checking it out. Don’t rely on what’s posted here.
and yes, there should be adequate places to tent near shelters. However, tenting is for overflow reasons only. They want the shelters full first.
Peaks
The same good advice applies to the SNP. They have self-registration stations at either end of the trail - right on the trail. You are supposed to fill out the form, leave a copy in their drop box and attach the remainder to your gear while hiking through the park.
Brutus