Tree availability?

[Nutbrown]

Through the section from Hot Springs, north. More the 30 miles north. The data book shows some 'campgrounds', and was wondering if they are on a bald. I was just in the Grayson Highlands, and that area was very sparse in terms of hammock tree availability. Do you cats just cowboy camp those days?

[kayak karl]

there is no place on the AT you can't hang. Whites you just need to time your trip. Smokies if the shelter is empty hang in it. i hung in all of them to keep with the rules. the dog slept in the empty fire boxes.
if you are a social butterfly and need to be part of the group at night then you may find yourself on the ground, but from every bald i could see trees. i went in winter so near clearings was not even a thought.

[Kerosene]

Balds such as Grayson Highlands are relatively rare, and most campgrounds will be located near a water source, which typically has trees in the vicinity. From Hot Springs to Erwin the only significant stretch of wide open trail is over Bald Mountain (imagine that!), but even then there are trees sufficient for hanging within a short walk.

[Spools]

Just did that section a couple days ago...no shortage of trees.

[Nutbrown]

Fabulous! Thanks kids!

[samgriffin4]

You'll be fine.

[JaxHiker]

An older thread but since I just got back I figured I'd add my two cents. There were only a couple of balds north of Hot Springs and at least on Big Bald there were some trees that would make a nice site. As others have said, though, there isn't any problem at all hanging around that area. Though it's south of HS and closer to Davenport, there were some excellent hanging opportunities at Groundhog Creek Shelter.