Camping in smokies

[jcollier1971]

Hiking from Newfound Gap to Fontana. Is it required that you stay at shelters, or can I camp wherever I find an appropriate spot?

[TNhiker]

If along AT, and you are not a thruhiker by Park's definition----then yes, you have to stay in the shelters.......

[rmitchell]

Check backcountry camping link on https:/www.nps.gov.grsm/. Unless you can do it in a day.

[Dogwood]

Why are you asking here unless you have a specific question not covered at the GSMNP NPS website? Even then call GSMNP first. That's not to be snarky. Just makes sense to go directly to the source rather than wading through posts here.

[Dogwood]

it may very well be GSMNP is experiencing AT hikers or those who use the AT on some segment of their hikes saying they are AT thru-hikers for permit purposes. Glad the PCT thru-hiking permit/NPS avoids much of that kind of thing especially through the Sierra, JMT, etc. nipping it in the bud BEFORE it got out of control.

[TNhiker]

it may very well be GSMNP is experiencing AT hikers or those who use the AT on some segment of their hikes saying they are AT thru-hikers for permit purposes.

i don't doubt it at all that people are fudging their facts to get their permits...

while not the thru hiker permit---I saw first hand how people were abusing the reservation system...

which, of course, led to the new reservation system.....

[Gambit McCrae]

A very quick search on google for "GSMNP Backcountry Rules" Provided the following clear set of regulations.

[jcollier1971]

Thanks for replies. Sorry I wasted time and bandwidth for some.

[Dogwood]

MAYBE, you wasted some of your own time?

[jcollier1971]

No question about it.

[The Cleaner]

Camping in a shelter reduces greatly the chances of a bear biting your leg in the middle of the night.