Originally Posted by
mad goat
Billy Goat and Flounder,
I would be careful going on what the ranger told you, because that is not what their regulations actually say. If you are a thru-hiker and have a valid thru hiker's permit (start 50 miles outside of the park, hike the AT through the park, and end 50 miles outside of the park) you are allowed to pitch a tent or hammock at the shelters as long as the shelter is full. The hammock is not allowed to be supported in any way by the shelter. Otherwise, the park rules state that you have to sleep in the shelter. If the shelter is full, then a thru-hiker has to give up their space for you to sleep in, and they have to pitch their tent.... or everybody has to scoot in a little closer.
The ranger you talked to on the phone is probably not going to be the same ranger that might (highly unlikely, but might) show up at the shelter to enforce the park rules.
Honestly, I'm not trying to be an annoying forum troll rules lawyer person. But I have spent a lot of time in the smokies and have heard a lot of stories from other hikers.
Due to the odd rules at the shelters, I typically try to avoid them so I can hang in my hammock. Especially in thru-hiker season. It's lots of fun to hang out and chat with all of them.... but I prefer a little more solitude.
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