At guide book question

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Does the AT gide book provides data on resupply points, campsites and distances in between those points?

[bemental]

Does the AT gide book provides data on resupply points, campsites and distances in between those points?

It does.

For the trail it provides distances between shelters, towns, water points.

For each town within approximately 10-15 miles of the trail a summary of the town's amenities and a few highlighted establishments are provided, with phone numbers and addresses, websites as appropriate.

[MuddyWaters]

Does the AT gide book provides data on resupply points, campsites and distances in between those points?

Yes it do.

Regarding campsites and water, it basically shows most of the more popular options. You can find a few water sources, and many decent pre-used campsites, that arent in the guide. If there is flat ground, you can camp.

Its funny, because some get so used to camping only where the guide shows. Sometimes you can come to a shelter and have 30 tents pitched on horrible crowded sloped ground, when 250 yds past the shelter right off trail there are nice quiet flat spots, that werent shown in the "guide".

[Another Kevin]

Yes it do.

Regarding campsites and water, it basically shows most of the more popular options. You can find a few water sources, and many decent pre-used campsites, that arent in the guide. If there is flat ground, you can camp.

Its funny, because some get so used to camping only where the guide shows. Sometimes you can come to a shelter and have 30 tents pitched on horrible crowded sloped ground, when 250 yds past the shelter right off trail there are nice quiet flat spots, that werent shown in the "guide".

Depends where you are on the trail. GSMNP, Sterling Forest-Harriman-Bear Mountain, Fahnestock (that is, most of the New York section), and Baxter State Park are all "camping permitted at designated sites only."

Elsewhere, the rules are different. I hike a lot in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves, where the rule is "camp anywhere that's 200 feet from a trail or water source, and below 3500 feet elevation (4000 feet in winter), except as posted." Interestingly enough, in those forests, the area immediately surrounding a shelter is NOT a designated campsite and is off limits for being within 200 feet of a trail.