Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to $5,000 per violation and/or 6 months in jail. Avoid the crowds, fish, hike, and enjoy the historical Cataloochee Valley. It's a reservation spot. let me know if you have any more questions. $5 for interactive PDF (smartphone version) Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Many campsites have been closed or relocated over the years. 9. If you pass the campsite, Big Creek Trail runs into Low Gap Trail which will take you to the Appalachian Trail. Call the backcountry office any day at (865) 436-1297 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm for more info. (also offers hayrides and carriage rides) World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient . Just use your normal common sense and good practices. Ive watched the sun go down on Rocky Top too; it is a wonderful view. LeConte also boasts the only lodging within the Park: Mt. Wont take long. Reservations are not available at the facility. The Martins Gap Trail steepens considerably in a hardwood and oak forest with emerging views of surrounding peaks. You may not stay consecutive nights at campsite 113 or at any shelter. The nine campgrounds inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park are a fantastic place to get back to nature. Great location with historic buildings, fishing, hiking, and a river to dip your feet in. The following description begins at the Deep Creek Trailhead near Bryson City and travels clockwise: The Deep Creek trail begins on wide, packed gravel to Tom Branch Falls, which spill from a small tributary on the far side of Deep Creek (.25 miles : 1,888'). As of February 13, 2013, a $4 per night backcountry campsite fee is required Leashed pets are allowed in developed areas and along roads, but are not allowed on park trails. Mine was taken in June. Sugarlands, near Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-3535. Only 12 "tents-only" campsites, a group campground, and a horse camp. 15. To make reservations by phone call 877-444-6777 and for all other campground related questions you may call 423-487-2683. Here is a list of Great Smoky Mountains National Park campsites that you can paddle or hike to: #87 Jerry Hollow: #78 Double Island #73 Lone Pine #72 Gunter Branch #66 Lower Noland Creek All backcountry campers are required get a reservation and a permit for their chosen site. When we broke camp at 5am (to get to Shuckstack for sunrise, which was flipping awesome) we noticed all 4 of our food bags were gone from the bear cables. Look for signs pointing to the Deep Creek Trailhead and Campground - there are several in Bryson City and all are viable routes. Balsam Mountain Campground is the highest elevation campground in the park at 5,310 feet. Maximum stock per party is one animal per person, plus one pack animal, not to exceed 10 animals in any one party or the maximum number of stock allowed a site or the available number of stock spaces at any site. Those guys are rarely seen but they see a lot. 14. North Carolinas answer to Cades Cove without the crowding. $5 for interactive PDF(smartphone version) Tricorner Knob and We parked and started back the way we just drove in and entered the Big Creak trail at the sign making the entrance. 107 Park Headquarters Road Somewhere in here Id guess and near water. Visitors will enjoy miles of rushing streams and abundant wildlife throughout. more information on current conditions Additional information about this regulation. You can get your permits at the National Park Service website. Fishing is permitted year-round, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. A wayward opportunist no doubt. LeConte hosts five great hiking trails to the top. An 11-mile one-way loop road winds around the valley, with stops at preserved pioneer structures. Mine has a bit browner tone to the flora, and a bit clearer of a day. Concessioners at Cades Cove, Smokemont, and Elkmont will provide heat-treated wood for sale during their operating season (typically March through October at Smokemont and Elkmont and through December at Cades Cove). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. 78, Also, this Smoky Mountain site makes available information about weddings in the national park, shopping, the Appalachian Trail, Fall foliage, photos of waterfalls, wildlife, and wildflowers. Backpackers in Great Smoky Mountain National Park found an unoccupied tent on Friday, Sept. 11 and, nearby, discovered what appeared to be human remains with a bear scavenging the area. accordingly, the water sources are springs, so a pump filter is in order. From the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, travel 12.4 miles south on Highway 441 to Highway 19. To paraphrase Mick Jagger: "Pleased to meet you, can you guess my name?" It's all great but make reservations well in advance. Hazel Creek is located in the Southeast portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . Probably a homeless person, or somebody pilfering their way along the trail. Thank you!! Big Creek Campground - Great Smoky Mountains National Park 5. This is about 5 miles northbound from Fontana Dam. What an amazing stretch of trail. (11) No Service. 24 miles away Explore. Great Smoky Mountains National Park 107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Visitor Information - Recorded . Additional information about this regulation. Additional information about this regulation. If this is your first visit, be sure to Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. Said person was handing out mushrooms from a bag, and had no gear with them. 13. . Only used to identify you to ProTrails. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. It just seems so odd. Other boat-accessible. Visitors love this campground and return year after year. Certified heat-treated firewood is packaged and clearly marked with a state or federal seal. Burning food, trash or anything other than dead wood is prohibited. 1. The Greenbrier section of the Park is home to several beauties. There are five designated backcountry campsites on the Deep Creek Trail - Indian Creek Trail Loop described above. The headwaters of Hazel Creek start on or under the slopes of Stateline Ridge at an elevation of over 4,000 feet. GSMNP Backcountry Campsite #51 - YouTube Short video of Backcountry Campsite #51 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You may only burn wood that is dead and already on the ground. It takes a bit of gumption just to get to 113. Directions: Drive from Sylva Base it was 54.5 miles, about 1 hour to the Big Creek Pa Comfort Station, Newport, NC 37821. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Takeaway #2 Super happy that we were on our last night of our trip, so we could finish out what we had planned. Location & Directions Body of Water: Fontana Lake Coordinates: 35.455557598914, -83.784071803093 Get Driving Directions Amenities Launch Point Paid Parking Free Parking Year-Round Bathrooms Seasonal Bathrooms Permit Required Drinking Water Food Available Boat Ramp Campsites Picnic Shelter Picnic Tables Wheelchair Accessible Hazard Free Lunch As we started off we noticed how well groomed the trail was, and how wide, making it an easy, slight uphill, walk. No reservations needed. Stealing from the bear lines at a very remote campsite quietly in the middle of the night at one of the few backcountry campsites where the lines arent right next to the tenting areas. 3. 6. I'm looking for any advice, reviews, insight on these particular sites. LeConte Lodge and the views of the Smokies Mt. Feeding, touching or teasing wildlife is prohibited. Print Trail Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! . some closed (4 and 7), some new ones open -- see new entries for No dogs or other pets are allowed on any park trails except the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Local Trail Association Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support trail development & maintenance. Tubing is permitted from the trailhead area north to the Indian Creek Trail junction. In 2012, campsite 11 was closed (storm damage). Eventually you would get a pretty well fine-tuned kit as long as you didnt get caught. Great people who can take a little ribbing in good stride and pretty uniformly helpful and friendly. Maximum party size is 8. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Or maybe it was Eric Rudolph. and those near the lake are both 13 and 113 are notorious for problem bears --my wife and I endured some harassment when we there a few years ago-- so you should be extra vigilant with your food, etcetera. Then we walked across the bridge on. Takeaway #1 We have been backpacking in the GSMNP for 23+ years and have never had anything like this happen. Group campgrounds are located near the individual camps. Great morning view from Shuckstack. Canoe campsites on Fontana are Pretty much ALL these people have drug/addiction issues; often alcohol, and usually on top of other psychological disorders (which they are self-medicating). Squaters are an issue along much of the AT but I cant imagine that being a problem in the park. 4. Apparently they have had further reports of problems in the area. But even hiking in from Twentymile or Parsons Branch are long and circuitous. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. At most campsites you cannot stay for more that 3 consecutive nights. Maximum party size is 8. False Gap -- stone walls still standing, It seems like its closed about half the time. Please call the Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297 for further information. Hammocks may not be used inside shelters and may not be attached to shelters in any way. GSMNP, November 2017. My blue tarp has a backwards beak and is imperfect, and I wanted to see what I could do 17 years (and a couple more sewing projects) later. Firewood Regulations: Beginning March 1, 2015 only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. Instead of relying to a degree on the kindness of strangers they are lifting what they need as they go?