Has any one here ever hammock camped in the smokies? Did the rangers give you a hard time? (or did they even know?) Also, what trail would you recommend for a 3 day trip? Thanks!
Has any one here ever hammock camped in the smokies? Did the rangers give you a hard time? (or did they even know?) Also, what trail would you recommend for a 3 day trip? Thanks!
FYI: If you want to know what type a certain bear is, sneak up behind it and kick it. Then,
run like crazy and climb up a tree. If the bear climbs the tree and eats you, it's a black
bear. If the bear just pushes the tree over and eats you, it's a grizzly bear : )
Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either, just leave me alone.
--unknown
Hammock camping is allowed in the Smokies so long as you stay in the back country sites. I've never had a ranger show up at a camp site, but I've done it in some of the car camping sites (Elkmont) and none have ever said anything.
every shelter will accommodate a hammock, but now we are into the shelter ONLY debate again.Originally Posted by stevebo
Has any one here ever hammock camped in the smokies? Did the rangers give you a hard time? (or did they even know?) Also, what trail would you recommend for a 3 day trip? Thanks!
for hike. do north or south out if newfound gap. both nice.
The only place it is 'illegal' to hammock camp in the Smokies is along the AT and that's only because you are required to stay in the shelters until full. After that, even on the AT section, there are no rules against hammocks. It's a National Park, with a very few exceptions, NPs don't have the kind of rules and regs that forbid hammock camping. State Parks....whole other story.
The backcountry sites I've seen have all been ideal for hammocking. Beautiful trees are abundant and almost always near running water.
Trust nobody!
How many miles are you willing/able to do in a day? Will you be alone or with someoen? More than 1 car? Afraid of hitchhiking back to your car? I've got a ton of suggestions.
There are over 100 campsites if i am not mistaken in the backcountry. The shelter rule only appliest to the A.T. I do know there over 900 miles of trails and just a few more trees than that. pick 2 and hang. That is as long as you are in the designated sites. Some are reservable (must be reserved) and some are first come first serve basis. However you must fill out a free permit.
You can look at the web site for the Smokies and it will give you a good map of all the sites and which one you must reserve.
BEAS
BEAS
From the Great Southern state of
TENNESSEE
Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. General Robert E. Lee
from my understanding, if a shelter is full and you have a thru hiker permit you can camp in the shelter area, and that could include hammock camping.
Tis true.
One of the ridge runners there said he actually preferred to see hammocks instead of tents around the shelters because he felt they caused less impact. Then he spent the next 20 minutes or so checking out my hammock. There were a total of two other people besides the RR and myself at that shelter that night; far from full. I was hanging just outside of the shelter; second one in from Fontana.
Trust nobody!
if you're capable, I'd suggest a good loop in the Mt. Cammerer area. It's definitely among the quieter portions of the park.
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