Shelter Enforcement

[macattack]

So as I've heard, there exists the convoluded rule of thru-hikers having to give up shelter space for non-thru hikers, but if there is space in the shelter they must stay in the shelter. My thru-hike starts on 3/13 and it just so happens that I prefer tenting 98% of the time. Does anybody know how strict actual enforcement of this rule is? Will a ranger come make me take my tent down if there is one bunk space available in a shelter?

[Mr. Allen]

No way man , sleep where you want

[kayak karl]

No way man , sleep where you want

you will get ticketed, but hey, sleep where you want.

[max patch]

So as I've heard, there exists the convoluded rule of thru-hikers having to give up shelter space for non-thru hikers, but if there is space in the shelter they must stay in the shelter. My thru-hike starts on 3/13 and it just so happens that I prefer tenting 98% of the time. Does anybody know how strict actual enforcement of this rule is? Will a ranger come make me take my tent down if there is one bunk space available in a shelter?

IF a ranger catches you then YES its off to the shelter for you. And depending upon the mood of the ranger he can issue you a ticket thats gonna set ya back several hundred dollars.

I think if you CHOOSE to hike thru the GSMNP then you have an obligation to follow the rules.

[bfayer]

Just to clarify, it is not thru hiker vs. non thru hiker, it is hiker with reservation vs. hiker without reservation. Thru hikers can get a regular back country permit and reserve shelter space if they want, don't know why they would, but they can.

[Sierra2015]

This is only at a specific part of the trail, right? When the trail passed through GSMNP. Right?

[CalebJ]

That's right.

[putts]

In 07 I had a good conversation with a GSMNP ranger. I was talking about the hike from Georgia to that point and it came up that I rarely sleep in shelters, but yes I had been using them in the park. He told me about the negative comments and attitude that he sometimes receives from hikers told to move from their tent to a shelter, who act as if he personally made the rule and was infringing on their entitlements. Just before we left, he told me that he was the only ranger I'd see south of Clingman's Dome and since he was going the other direction no one would be at the next shelter to tell me I couldn't camp (wink-wink).

[Lone Wolf]

So as I've heard, there exists the convoluded rule of thru-hikers having to give up shelter space for non-thru hikers, but if there is space in the shelter they must stay in the shelter. My thru-hike starts on 3/13 and it just so happens that I prefer tenting 98% of the time. Does anybody know how strict actual enforcement of this rule is? Will a ranger come make me take my tent down if there is one bunk space available in a shelter?

not strict at all

[MuddyWaters]

Im pretty sure convoluded is not a word.

There is not a great deal of tent space around some shelters in the GSMNP anyway.

[macattack]

This is what I suspected may have been the case

[macattack]

Would you take convoluted?

[STINGER1]

Hiked in 2012. Never stayed in a shelter. It's not a problem. There's always a spot for a tent or three around the shelters. In The Whites the best tent spots where just before or after the huts. Have fun!

[HooKooDooKu]

I would like to point out that staying in a GSMNP Shelter when space allows isn't just simply a "rule", but is a Federal Law. This law can be found on page 11 of the Compendium of Laws & Policies governing the GSMNP.

Item #4 of White Blazes usage agreement states that Discussions involving how to commit illegal acts...are forbidden.

[cliffdiver]

It's a simple rule, really. 4 spots in each 12 man shelter are reserved for thru-hikers. (weather events may increase the number that can fit) As long as there are no other hikers with reservations, all thru-hikers up to 12 must stay inside. Otherwise, you tent or hammock in the immediate area. The rangers have the discretion to escort you off park property in addition to fines and court costs if caught stealth camping or being a nuisance.

The GSNP has more visitors than any other national park on the East coast. The fee's and restrictions are to help minimize the impact of thousands upon thousands of backpackers using the trail.

[Valley Girl]

I had called the Park and spoke to a Ranger and asked if I had to stay in a shelter as a thru hiker. The Ranger said thru hikers can tent, non thru hikers must use shelters. So did I miss something?


edit:
Your right bfayer it was a backcountry permit for thru hikers.

[HooKooDooKu]

I had called the Park and spoke to a Ranger and asked if I had to stay in a shelter as a thru hiker. The Ranger said thru hikers can tent, non thru hikers must use shelters. So did I miss something?

Yea, the part of the rules that says thru hikers can tent at shelters ONLY if the shelter is full.
You can find this rule on the AT Thru-Hiker Backcountry Permit website (7th bullet point) as well as the previous Compendium I referenced (and written rules will trump incomplete instructions given over the phone).

[Siarl]

The GSNP has more visitors than any other national park on the East coast. The fee's and restrictions are to help minimize the impact of thousands upon thousands of backpackers using the trail.

GSMNP is THE most visited National Park in the National Parks System.

Also, I think the OP was not clear as to if they were referring to only the GSMNP park rules or they were referring to shelters throughout the entire AT. When I read it I took it to mean all shelters. So to clarify, is the post only referring to GSMNP? I have no intention of sleeping in those shelters if I can help it. I'm sleeping in my tent unless the situation prevents it. Such as if certain parks prohibit sleeping in a tent then I guess I will not have a choice.

[HooKooDooKu]

I think the OP was not clear as to if they were referring to only the GSMNP park rules or they were referring to shelters throughout the entire AT.

Since the OP posted within the "Great Smoky Mountains" sub-forum, I would assume we're only talking about shelter rules that apply inside GSMNP.

From what I understand, along the bulk of the AT, you can setup a tent pretty much anywhere (out of the way) along the AT. You're not limited to shelter sites, and there's usually no specific rules about shelter (other than 'first-come-first served).

But within GSMNP, you can only camp at designated camp sites and you must possess a back country permit. This goes not just for AT thru-hikers, but ANYONE staying in the GSMNP back country.

What might confuse some people is that the rules for a thru-hiker are just a little different than for a general back packer.

Each campsite has a limited number of spots available. A general backpacker is required to reserve each spot for each given night they want to utilize the back country.

But things are not so rigorous for thru-hikers. Rather than requiring thru-hikers to commit to specific shelters for specific nights, the park service holds about 3 or 4 of the available spots at each shelter along the AT. But of course such a system runs the risk that occasionally more AT thru-hikers will show up than space has been reserved for. Thus was born the rule about thru-hikers being allowed to tent when shelters are full.

The park service requires at-thru hikers to utilize shelters when possible to minimize the impact hikers have on the back country.

BTW, park rules treat hammocks like a tent. So hangers don't get to escape the 'use the shelter if space is available' rule.

[Dogwood]

'Does anybody know how strict actual enforcement of this rule is?' That question sounds very similar to "if I knowingly break the rules will I be caught?' I hear machetes are being issued to every Ranger this yr with the order to cut off the male genitalia of every male law breaker. You don't want to know what they are ordered to do to female lawbreakers.