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backtrack213
02-10-2016, 09:57
Where is the best place on trail to get your permit for entering the park?

TNhiker
02-10-2016, 10:52
Any place that has a printer......

so, you could print it before you left to get on trail.....

Koozy
02-10-2016, 11:00
You have 30 days to get it before you enter the park. Will likely take you 2-3 weeks to get to Fontana. So you COULD print it out within a week before you start, but you can also print it out at the outfitter at the NOC...they have a computer set up for hikers to do so. Also...I saw hikers printing it out at the Fontana Lodge on the day they entered the Smokies, just have to catch a ride to the lodge or call/pay for a shuttle at the phone near the boat loading area (on trail).

4eyedbuzzard
02-10-2016, 11:10
https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm

Old 2013 post from Laurie at ATC on this subject
Although ATC encourages northbound thru-hikers to purchase their permits before they leave home, some hikers may want to wait until closer to their arrival to the Smokies to purchase one. I've compiled a list of options for northbounders who want to wait to purchase their Great Smoky Mountains National Park A.T. thru-hiker permit and get it somewhere along the way.

It is possible to wait until just before you reach Fontana Dam at the southern end of the park and get your permit at one of the businesses off the Trail, but it could add a measure of stress to your hike worrying that everything will fall into place when you get there. You might become close friends with someone who doesn't want to leave the Trail at this point and then you have to go your separate ways, or there could be some glitch that prevented or delayed you from getting the permit (power outage, computer or printer problem, etc.)

In addition to locations listed below, various business in towns along the Trail may have computer/printer services available. The Nantahala Outdoor Center is currently the only place right on the A.T. where you can print a permit. I obtained all of the information below via phone today by calling the businesses below.


Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap (32 miles north of Springer, on the A.T.) - Currently does not have a dedicated computer and printer. They are seeking donations of these items, and will install them if they become available.

Hiawassee (Towns County) Library (70 miles north of Springer, 11 miles west of A.T.) - Computer and printer available M-F. Hours 9-5, except Thurs. 10-6.
15cents/page (permit is 2 pages).

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) (137 miles north of Springer, 29 miles south of Fontana Dam, on the A.T.) - You can access a computer and printer and acquire your permit at the Outfitter Store or Guest Relations Office, both currently open 9-5 seven days a week. Starting March 7, both will be open 8-5. In mid-May, the hours will expand to 8-8. This is the only location actually on the A.T. where you can print out a permit.

Fontana Village Resort (1.4 south of Fontana Dam visitor center, 2 miles west of A.T.) - In the next few days will have a computer and printer for public access in the lodge accessible 24 hours/day.

The Hike Inn (1.4 south of Fontana Dam Visitor Center, 6 miles east of A.T.). - No computer access for hikers, but owners can assist hikers w/ permits using phone, email and their personal printer.

The Fontana Dam Visitor Center (on the A.T., just south of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance) does not usually open until May, and there is currently no public computer/printer access.


Laurie Potteiger
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

bemental
02-10-2016, 11:53
As Laurie's quote said, the NOC has a computer and printer set up just for this purpose.

HooKooDooKu
02-10-2016, 12:28
If you have any difficulty locating a printer, a Smart Phone might be all you need.

The whole permit process eventually generates a PDF that "officially" you are supposed to print and carry with you.

But I've heard several reports that "unofficially" the rangers accept a digital copy of the PDF.

(Of course you've got to make sure you can show that digital copy at any time. Don't know what would happen if a Ranger asked you to present your permit and you said you couldn't because your phone battery is dead. So if you do decide to venture into GSMNP without printing your permit, at least write down the permit # in case your phone dies.)

ScottTrip
02-10-2016, 16:08
Got mine at NOC. As said above, they have a printer setup just for Permits.

Trance
02-10-2016, 17:18
You can print it in Franklin, Fontana Dam, the NoC..... anywhere really.