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View Full Version : Smokies on-line reservation for backcountry permits is quite a mess



moldy
02-13-2013, 10:27
The site is up but not workable. It could be that the problem is that it is not going to be functional until 5pm today. I attempted to work it and failed quickly. They say that it won't work with I phone type technology. They don't have a seperate place for thru-hikers or a place for Appalachian Trail hikers. It's all mixed in with the old campsite/shelter reservation system. The only way to get your ticket for thru hikers is if you are out on the trail, go to a place that will receive e-mail then telephone the back-country office with your credit card, they will e-mail the permit and you must print it out. Knowing the park service they will not exactly have a bank of operators standing by for your call. I have the strong feeling that a serious "grace period" will be in play before handing out fines for non compliance.

grif4of10
02-13-2013, 10:34
I just made my first reservation for this weekend. It is working fine as of now.

ChinMusic
02-13-2013, 10:46
I just played around with teh site site and it kept freezing up on my laptop. I got frustrated and quit. Glad I'm not sitting in Fontana on my thru right now........

Ewker
02-13-2013, 11:14
I know it has been posted but what is the link to make reservations

Alligator
02-13-2013, 11:18
I just ran through the site on my Droid phone using 3G. I was able to fill in the entire permit using both the backcountry permit application and the AT thruhiker application. These are separate links. I did not submit them as I did not want to tie up a reservation nor be required to pay for it. It would have taken under ten minutes to complete each, mainly from having to type on the phone.

I think they should hold the reservation slightly longer than 15 minutes while you are filling it out. On my phone, the park map did not resize when zooming. It did when I used a regular computer.

barf_jay
02-13-2013, 11:27
https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm?BCPermitTypeID=1

barf_jay
02-13-2013, 11:31
you can access them from here also: http://smokiespermits.nps.gov/

tjkenney67
02-13-2013, 12:51
Printed my permit this morning with no issues. I will be on Springer on the 17th...

Sly
02-13-2013, 16:54
The general backcountry permit link...


https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm?BCPermitTypeID=1

and the thru-hiker permit link...

https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm?BCPermitTypeID=2

Starchild
02-13-2013, 17:22
Why is this so difficult, why can't it be easy. Like any thru hike attempt contributes a sawbuck to cover all expenses such as the smokies fee and the IMHO inhumane and outright outrageous (and causing death), worthy of the condemnation of God, NH rescue fee and all the rest. Why is it that that the law enforcement requires the hiker to verify if they have paid instead of the other way around (your papers please).

The world is upside down, and that will no longer be tolerated.

Flounder940
02-13-2013, 17:51
I just got my back country-thru hiker permit. I had no problems at all.