Showers Near Twentymile Ranger Station/Fontana Village?

[HICKS]

I'm in the planning stages for a three day/two night loop starting at the Twentymile Ranger station. I'll finish on a Sunday and I'm looking for a place in the area to clean up before getting on the plane to fly home Sunday night. Any public facilities in that area?

[Dogwood]

TwentyMile RS has a hose outside I've showered off with. Shower near the Fontana Hilton(AT Fontana lean to), at a bathroom, often a bit grundgy though.

[HooKooDooKu]

There are public showers available at the Fontana Dam Visitor's center.

But the thing I do on a regular basis now is to leave a 2L bottle of water in the car, a change of cloths, bar of soap, deodorant, and a pair of old pack towels and hair brush. I basically use the water/soap/towels to take an 'above the waist' sponge bath, wash out my hair, and change into clean cloths. Of course I simply then jump in my car and drive home... not go get on a plane.

[TNhiker]

there's a few different options down in that area and in general...............besides the information given above......

i havent tried the shower at the fontana shelter, but i have used the one at the visitor's center.........

nothing special, the head isnt that great, but its always been hot and forceful for me.............its a communal shower, and while there is a sign on door outside, people always mistake this for the bathroom.......

you could call hike inn (they are about a mile or so from marina) and ask them if they have showers.....

and if you have car-----there's a few options in bryson city...............there's at least one campground on the highway 19 that will let ya shower for a fee and guessin others would do the same upon asking....

also, since the national park's campgrounds don't have showers, the hosts typically know places outside park that will.................might be worth a call down to deep creek and ask....

also, if you have car and near interstate----you call always stop in at a bigger, more truck orientate gas station and (like pilot or flying J) and they will have showers you can pay for..........

[HICKS]

Thanks for all the feedback, looks like I have lots to choose from. The truck stop option would not have occurred to me. There is a Pilot Travel Center with showers on the way from the trailhead to the Chattanooga airport.

[madgoat]

I have used the Pilot stations several times. My trip back from the smokies is 7 hours, and usually includes a civilized restaurant stop.

I used to try to find an out of the way public bathroom sink to clean up at. But I got tired of the long stares and still being mostly filthy for the drive home. So now I usually try to devise a shower opportunity into my trip plan. Truck stops and campgrounds are my friend. If you have a group, even a stop at a dive hotel room isnt out of the question. Pilot charges something like $15 per shower, so 3 or 4 people can split a hotel room and get cleaned up in relative comfort, then just check out.

[Hikerhead]

You don't need no stinking shower.....use this http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/no-...946587-product

[MuddyWaters]

Showers at the vistitor center are great. Just leave a towel, soap, shampoo, and clean clothes in your car for the trip home. Its usually pretty deserted there.

[TNhiker]

Its usually pretty deserted there.

yeah.....

while ive seen signs of use, ive been the only one in there..........im perfectly fine with that......

[daddytwosticks]

Showers at the vistitor center are great. Just leave a towel, soap, shampoo, and clean clothes in your car for the trip home. Its usually pretty deserted there.

Agree. Just make sure they are open. I understand they are not available year round.