GSMNP permits

[58starter]

Can you pick up a permit at the NOC in Gatlinburg? Or can you pick up a permit and Newfound Gap?
I want to hiker from Newfound Gap to Fontana going south.
Thanks for and help.

[RED-DOG]

I have always NOBOed thru the Park but when i was in Gatlinburg this past march on my 2012 Thru, i was at the NOC outfitter and i think i did see permits their, if not their, i now for a fact you can stop at the ranger station at Sugarloaf visitors center (after you leave Gatlinburgs city limits on the right) and pick one up.

[Buffalo Skipper]

You must call the park in advance and make reservations. Then when you arrive, you can fill out the backcountry permit. If you are coming through Gatlinburg, the Sugerlands Vistor Center is the best place to submit the permit. You will need to provide a reservation number you obtain when you call.
NPS GSMNP Backcountry Camping

Backcountry Facilities

For current backcountry trail and campsite information call (865) 436-1297 or (865) 436-1231. Please note these numbers are for backcountry trail and campsite information only.

Sites, especially on the AT book fast. Call ASAP up to 30 days out.

[58starter]

Thank you for your quick response. I will check both places on Friday as I go into Gatlinbug from NC. We are having a reunion in Gatlinburg on Sat and Sun so I plan to do some hiking afterwards.

[moytoy]

RD is correct but the name of the visitors center is Sugarland not Sugarloaf. Here is a link to all the permit locations. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisi...ry-camping.htm

[Buffalo Skipper]

RD is correct but the name of the visitors center is Sugarland not Sugarloaf. Here is a link to all the permit locations. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisi...ry-camping.htm

That is the same page I referenced in my post as well. If you look on that page and follow the link entitled "Backcountry Rules and Regulations" it clearly states in item 3 that use of reserved sites and shelters must be confirmed through the Backcountry Reservation Office. A permit is meaningless if you do not have the reservation at sites requiring them. Reservations are required at all Shelters and campsite on the AT in GSMNP.

[ParkRat09]

865-436-1231...backcountry office to call for reservations. There are a million places in the park to get permits. Basically any of the rangers stations or visitors centers

[Trail Bug]

Started at Springer, but chose to go south from Newfound Gap to Fontana. We had two cars that we moved down the trail for resupply. I filled out the permit at Fontana. What a joke that was. The box was so full I could not get mine to go into the box. I noticed dates near the bottom that were over 30 days old. To me it was not a well maintained system.

[Rain Man]

... I will check both places on Friday as I go into Gatlinbug from NC. ...

If you are coming from Cherokee, NC, there is the Oconaluftee Visitors Center on that side of the Park, too, also on Hwy 441. I can't say 100%, but imagine you might be able to pick up your backcountry permit there, easier than at Sugarland VC. Just a thought.
There are four VCs in the Park--
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisi...torcenters.htm

RainMan

.

[ParkRat09]

Started at Springer, but chose to go south from Newfound Gap to Fontana. We had two cars that we moved down the trail for resupply. I filled out the permit at Fontana. What a joke that was. The box was so full I could not get mine to go into the box. I noticed dates near the bottom that were over 30 days old. To me it was not a well maintained system.

Ha I saw the exact same thing when I section hiked the Smokie's AT a few months ago...could barely get my permit in there

[swjohnsey]

Don't bother, ain't nobody gonna check.

[ParkRat09]

Don't bother, ain't nobody gonna check.

Used to be true but I sectioned the AT in the SMokies a few months ago and 3 of the 4 nights there was a runner at the shelter checking reservations. Those shelters are full all the time esp in the Fall

[swjohnsey]

Did he/she stay all night? Didn't see a single ridgerunner or ranger in the Smokies.

[moytoy]

Don't bother, ain't nobody gonna check.

So your saying that if nobody is checking then it's ok to break the rules? I think that is wrong! There are plenty of places you can hike and camp without any camping restrictions. To decide for yourself that it is ok to do so in the GSMNP on the AT is dishonest.

[swjohnsey]

Ignoring government stupidity is an American tradition.

[Rain Man]

Don't bother, ain't nobody gonna check.

You may want to review the WB User Agreement before making such a post:

4. Discussions involving how to commit illegal acts ... are forbidden.

Not to mention, not really appreciated. There is a saying: "Reputation is what you do when someone is watching. Character is what you do when no one is watching."

Sorry if any of this offends, but that's the way it is.

Rain Man

.

[swjohnsey]

You may want to review the WB User Agreement before making such a post:



Not to mention, not really appreciated. There is a saying: "Reputation is what you do when someone is watching. Character is what you do when no one is watching."

Sorry if any of this offends, but that's the way it is.

Rain Man

.

I bet you pee 200' off the trail.

[Razor]

All this is changing this year. We do not know how or what but now we have to pay a fee to use the backcountry Also with the fees they are hiring backcountry rangers with enforcement authority ( giving tickets) This is going to be an interesting year there. We will see how all this plays out!When they promulgate the regs it will be the first step----? Coming soon---

[fredmugs]

Ignoring government stupidity is an American tradition.

Absolutely. The stupidy here is charging such a low nightly fee and then hiring full time employees to enforce it.

[swjohnsey]

They could just build huts!