Heading down to hike in the next few weeks and had planned to park at the visitor's center at Fontana Dam. While reading the Companion it noted they do not typically open until May. Are there gates across the parking lot and/or do I need to contact someone there to obtain permission/notify of plans to leave my vehicle there for an extended period of time?
If that's not an option, what do folks recommend as an alternate parking option with a hike beginning or ending at Fontana Dam?