Your top five tent sites along the at?

imported
#1

When conversations arrive about what is the best part of the trail? (and of course I have only hiked about 45% of the Appalachian Trail) that is a difficult question to answer.

However, I would like to “throw out” an inquiry to all A.T. Section and Thru Hikers: what are your top five tent sites (where you pitched tent along the A.T.?) (no illegal or no camp sites please as to prevent encouragement of illegal camping)

My top five so far (Springer to Chester Gap)
would be Max Patch, Siler Bald, Wayah Bald (in woods near the tower), Standing Indian Mountain and Panorama in Shenandoah National Park. What are your top five?

fraser fir

#2

I’m not sure I can come up with 5 off the top of my head, but Antlers Campsite in Maine was definitely up there. Also one of my favorites was on top of Whitetop not far north of Damascus.

Leki-Less

#3

I’ve section hiked the approach trial to Newfound Gap. My favorites would be Cheese Factory (GA), Cody Gap (NC), Siler Bald (NC), Cheoah Bald (NC), and Long Creek Falls (GA).

P.S. I wouldn’t have dared post my nominations if it wasn’t expressly open to section hikers. I’ve only done 10% of the AT…but it was hard work, worth it, and my what a 10%!

Orphan

#4

My favorite sites always allow me not to use a tent at all.

The best on the AT was on top of Wataunga dam. I didnt have any trees blocking the stars, which is a constant thing on the AT. Also the cool breeze blowing off the lake and cascading over the 300 ft drop next to me not only kept me cool, but kept all the mosquitos away. The people at the shelter just south of the dam, said they got eaten alive.

I don’t recall any no camping signs. The ground was a little rocky to say the least, but i managed to sleep between the pointyest ones.

Guino

#5

Caleb Peak just past Kent, CT (stealth at left of Trail)
Top of Beauty Spot
Rice Field

Bison

#6

Woops. Comma between “)” and Top. Comma between Spot and Rice!! :lol

Bison

#7

Interesting topic. We also vote for Antlers in ME as being #1. Beautiful view and amazing privy. We are hard pressed to come up with additional, as we mostly sheltered on the Trail.

As far as the worst, it had to be an awful nite at a site about 2 miles north of Dragon’s Tooth. We set up in the rain at a site about the size of a bathtub. Drainage was awful and we got soaked during the nite. Lightning and thunder was scary. But the next morning, as we packed out with wet gear, we met a pair of local residents who are trail angels and spent three nites with them. Great friends to this day. Bad beginning to a great day.

Rocky & Swamp Fox

#8

Only hiked the southern half of the AT so far,last year, can’t wait to go back now that I’m over the Lyme Disease.
The Grayson Highlands has to be near the top of my list. Soft grass, tremendous views and lots of wild ponies…Very special.

hoofit

#9

In 1982 graduated high school and recently finished peter jenkins book “A walk across America”.Hiking was what I needed to do.A friend and I went to the delaware water gap in NJ.Snow was on the ground.We hiked in a few miles and found a nice spot it was by a little stream flat ground fire wood every where we were tired and it was already dark.We were not aware of the rules about land use,nor did we care at the time.We had brought with us lots of food a couple big “T-bones”,and plenty of beer.That night we had a big roaring fire and a good beering.A small hill was near by we had also brought a couple of rolled up plastic sleds,what big fun we had.It will always be one of my best memories of a mis-spent youth.The next mourning while breaking camp my buddy starts laughing uncontrollable.Whats so funny I asked?
he pointed up towards the sky,What I said not seeing anything.There ,right there, on the tree.Aparently we were not the first to find this spot,there was a big sign made of wood that read NO camping ,NO fires, NO alcohol.big big Ooops.

kneepaw

#10

Another for Antlers Campsite. Absolutely beautiful.

Junkie

#11

Wow!! Only 5? I just finished my section hike in Maine, making it the last section of an amazing adventure that spanned 11 years. Being more interested in stealth camping than sheltering, this question is right up my alley. One must remember that weather, mental attitude, and moods play as much a decider as the actual tentsite locations. Here are mine:

  1. Hertlein Campsite (south of Port Clinton, PA) pitched tent between 2 streams…STEREO!! (Peaceful nights sleep)
  2. Ash Gap (just south of Roan Mtn)/ (SOLITUDE)
  3. Over Mountain Shelter (GREAT VIEW OF VALLEY)
  4. Antlers Campsite (Me) Nice location next to Jo-Mary Lake. Would have been higher except for the mosquitoes!!
  5. Hot Springs Campground along the French Broad River… There is something to be said about section hiking. Picked early spring and I was there along the river by myself…BEAUTIFUL!!

Sliver

#12

I agree : section hikers often have a better sense of where the best sites are. A thru hiker is more apt to end the day wherever there mileage goal leaves them and for many, thats at a shelter. A section hiker, imho, is more likely to opt for other qualities. section hikers are often going at a slower pace and thus may camp in several different spots along a given section that a thru hiker goes through in less then a day.:cheers

Stryker

#13

As a section hiker myself, I tend to put up pretty high miles, often stealth camping inline with our daily mileage goal over a particular target. Though, water is always an important consideration since I’m providing water for 6. So, many of our campsites haven’t had spectacular views or notable qualities, with the exception of Hertlein near Port Clinton. As the previous poster stated, there are several different pads located between two streams, except that when we went it rained two inches the day before. There were at least 4 different fords and I couldn’t tell the difference between the streams. Also, we got there late and had to take the last pad which still had trash :x That said, we had a picnic table and the roar of the streams. Truly our most memorable tent night.

Chris

#14

well, I guess, actually I named five but there are always five more:
#1) Rocky Knob (just south of Wesser/N.O.C)

#2) 1/4 mi south of Wapiti (open meadow-bull frogs) perfect star gazing

#3) DAVIS FARM CAMPSITE: a perfect tent pad to set up and everything 8–))

#4) Thunder Ridge near the BRP

#5) 2 mi north of woody gap. blue blazer takes you to an awesome sunrise. after dark you can look over Dahlonega and Dawsonville.

and I had mentioned Max Patch earlier: it is off limits to tenting now because of over use. 8-((

someone had a very valid point above the section hikers often have the advantage of plotting their particular section for great sleeping sites.

However, we do not always move slow 8–)). I can put in a thirty mile day if I have to. (not that I want to) this year I averaged 27 miles per day over a ten day period. lots and lots of training, prep work and analyzation of gear. Section hikers can be on deadlines too… I wish none of us were, actually.

fraser fir