View Full Version : Clingman's Dome parking and camping
Hello,
In May a friend and I are going to be section hiking the AT (south-bound). We were planning on parking our car at Clingman's Dome and hitching a ride to the north-east enterance to the AT. We'd leave some food in our car so we could resupply along the trail. We'll be meeting some friends at Fontana Dam near the end and they've offered to drive us back to to Clingman's Dome.
Here are the questions:
1: Is it "legal" (meaning am I going to get towed) to park at Clingman's Dome over night?
2: Where is the closest campsite near Clingman's Dome for us to camp at overnight? (Is there a campsite at Clingman's Dome?)
Or let me put it this way: What's the easiest way to logistically do a south-bound section hike of the AT through the GSMNP and where should we park our car?
Maybe answers here:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/campingandother.html
dovecote
04-18-2006, 22:05
It has been a few years since I hiked the section you mentioned but the Clingman Dome parking lot is massive and overnight parking was permitted when I did the section in 1996. I doubt this policy is still valid. If you are going to use your car as a resupply point at Clingmans (in lieu of going to Gatlinburg) then your plan is sound. The nearest shelter to the Clingman lot is the Double Spring Shelter, 3.4 miles to the south on the AT.
If I was to do your hike, I would park my auto at either Big Creek Ranger Station or Cosby Campground at the north end of the park to begin the hike. When reaching Newfound Gap you could resupply by hitching to Gatlinburg. When you finish your hike at Fontana your friends would drive you back to your auto.
I called the park service and confirmed that it's fine to park overnight at Clingman's Dome. We'll use my truck as a resupply point and my friends will pick it up and drive it to Fontana Dam for me.
Now, any recommendations for who to ask for a ride from Clingman's Dome to the north-east GSMNP AT entrance the 19th or 20th of May?
papa john
04-20-2006, 15:01
There is an outfitter in Gatlinburg that would be your best bet. However, I am unable to recall their name. If you contact the outfitter there in G'burg, they can put you in touch with them. They charged me $40 to go from the outfitter to Standing Bear Farm.
Brushy Sage
09-19-2006, 20:36
According to Asheville Citizen-Times <www.citizen-times.com> the observation tower on Clingmans Dome will be closed Sept 20-22, 2006 for the installation of new viewing graphics. According to the article, the parking lot and trails will remain open.
Jack Tarlin
09-19-2006, 20:47
I think the parking lot at Newfound Gap might be better than the one at Clingman's. It's right on the Trail instead of half a mile off, and it's better patrolled. Plus, if you end up hitching to Fontana or Davenport Gap, Newfound is a good place to get a ride. I second the suggestion of calling Curtis, at Standing Bear Farm. He's a great guy and will help you any way he can.
I parked at Newfound Gap for 7 days a few years ago, no problems. NFG is only a few trail miles from Clingman's dome so, , , , , , ,
Doctari.
Ramble~On
09-20-2006, 04:22
Newfound Gap.....park there....
You might get there and decide to take a run into Cherokee or Gatlinburg....
As mentioned the parking lot at Clingman's Dome isn't exactly on the trail...
and after walking down and resupplying you have to walk back up...
The trail crosses at NewFound Gap.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
09-20-2006, 08:11
Another vote for parking at NFG over Clingmans Dome. The reason - the rangers who patrol overnight generally use the restroom at NFG and all the local bad boys know this.
You might want to consider caching your resupply near NFG or Clingmans and driving yourself to Big Creek or Cosby campground. It would be cheaper for you (no shuttle) and an easier drive for the friends providing your shuttle from Fontana.
Another vote for parking at NFG over Clingmans Dome. The reason - the rangers who patrol overnight generally use the restroom at NFG and all the local bad boys know this.
You might want to consider caching your resupply near NFG or Clingmans and driving yourself to Big Creek or Cosby campground. It would be cheaper for you (no shuttle) and an easier drive for the friends providing your shuttle from Fontana.
There is a well maintained trail from Cosby CG that goes UP to a gap just north (about 1/2 mile) of Cosby knob shelter (I think about 8 miles S of Davenport gap) not exactly an easy hike, but last time I hiked up it I did the 2+ miles in less than 2 hrs, that was after working a 24 hr shift the day before then driving 9 hrs to Kincora, so needless to say I wasnt in the best of shape by then :rolleyes:
Doctari.