Fontana Dam Shelter
Last edited by Youngblood; 08-22-2003 at 16:55.
Nice Shelter
It's near the road and a rather groomed area, but this shelter has some great views over Fontana Lake, was quite new and clean (as of 1993) and didn't seem to suffer from a lot of locals partying it up despite its being road accesible. Perhaps it has to do with the fact its kept up and near the Smoky Park. Also as of 1993 you could take hot showers at the dam and check out the exhibit room there....very nice in the cold spring weather prevailing a that time. Meet up with a group that became the Ham and Eggers there and we satyed together to Maine. A memorable place
i have stayed at the fontana hilton a half dozen times,beautiful placeneo
Stayed there last weekend. No one around but me. Very clean. Lighted, clean privy just up the trail which is now asphalt up to the parking area on the road. Showers at the dam still clean and hot.
There was a care taker there on my hike in 2000, I dont know if he is still but what a nice guy to talk to "Many Sleeps" was his trail name.
the Hiker's Prayer: Lord, if you'll pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down.
Many Sleeps is the Springer Ridge Runner now.
Good Old Fontana Hilton, one of the cleanest,, i have ever stayed in.
Thanks TabascoOriginally Posted by Tabasco
Yea he was great to talk to!
the Hiker's Prayer: Lord, if you'll pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down.
I agree it was one of the cleanest and biggest. Truth be told, I was uncomfortable staying there alone as it was so big and right on the road. I would up staying at the Hike Inn.
Peace Be With You
Stayed there last year and found it to be very clean and slept well. We had group of five so no fear of people coming form the road.
In 99 it was raided by the police and drug sniffing dogs the night before I got there. Dogs urinated all over hiker's packs. I wonder if this is common practice during thru-hiking season?
I was at the Fontana Village hotel that night also. As I understand it, the area IS patrolled by TVA from time to time, but this incident occurred because there was a strong odor of marijuana at the shelter. Someone reported it to the TVA folks at the visitor center and the shakedown ensued.
I'm glad I wasn't there. I would have been really upset. But from what I hear, this is NOT a common thing.
I've stayed there on a couple of occasions and was the only one there.
If people spent less time being offended and more time actually living, we'd all be a whole lot happier!
It was busted this year for beer. As was Partnership.
The trail is ever winding and the party moves every night.
Sounds like everyone can come away with some simple wisdom from this post.
That's my dog, Echo. He's a fine young dog.
Stealth medicate.Sounds like everyone can come away with some simple wisdom from this post.
I guess I am at the shelters at the wrong time. I have been at both shelters but no probelms at either.
and there was a good hiker box, too!
how far is a restaurant from the shelter?
It is a few miles but there is a shuttle that picks you up from the parking lot. Only a couple of bucks to ride.
And there's a phone (or there was a few years ago) at the marina that goes directly to the resort........
you can use that to call for shuttle....
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