hammock camping in Grayson Highlands

[308Shooter]

Is Hammock camping allowed in the Grayson Highlands area of the AT? I know there are some balds, but what about areas with trees for hammocks?

[jeff-oh]

Is Hammock camping allowed in the Grayson Highlands area of the AT? I know there are some balds, but what about areas with trees for hammocks?

Yes. No problem. Though finding areas to support multiple hammocks can be difficult. No issues around Thomas Knob, or Weis shelters. Also there is a yearly HF's group hang in the state park.

[TallPaul]

Hammocks are allowed and I haven’t had a problem finding a tree.

Just be ready for bad weather. Sometimes you luck out. But if you don’t it can get crazy up there even in the summer.

[308Shooter]

Thanks guys.... We're doing different parts of the AT in a week and wanted to make sure. We don't have a tent... just hammocks.

Thanks,

Jamey

[jeff-oh]

Thanks guys.... We're doing different parts of the AT in a week and wanted to make sure. We don't have a tent... just hammocks.

Thanks,

Jamey

If you go east of Thomas Knob just over 1/2 a mile there is a nice camp site at 36.655208, -81.525740 water is very close at 36.654109, -81.523740. There are actually several nice hammock sites in this area.

[sidneyhornblower]

Sintax77 has a video on his trip there: https://www.sintax77.com/hiking-the-...kpacking-trip/

That's his webpage which has video links, map and GPS stuff too.

[soul embrace]

just remember there is no camping allowed inside the boundaries of Grayson Highlands State Park (except in their car camping campground) Thomas knob as others has mention is outside of the park boundaries and when I backpacked there we found a nice little site hid away in the trees and I think this is the GPS coordinates for it: N36° 39.291' W81° 31.866'. over by wise shelter we found a good site right outside of the park and it's close to a stream and the coordinates for it I think is: N36° 39.327' W81° 29.950'.

reason I say I think those is the coordinates is I didn't create a waypoint while there but looking at the track I saved I'm pretty sure that's where we camped because we did a lot of wondering around in these two locations and I remember about where we camped

[jeff-oh]

... Thomas knob ...we found a nice little site hid away in the trees and I think this is the GPS coordinates for it: N36° 39.291' W81° 31.866'.

I think you've pin pointed my cat hole. I've stayed in the tree lined clearing just south of the trail, you can see the fire ring and log benches on google maps. That clearing if I remember could support a hammock maybe two, but no more. There are plenty of opportunities North of the trail as Soul says, though you may need to clear off a few low limbs. And, watch for any caches.

[Dvankirk]

If you are going NOBO on the AT from Grayson Highlands, I like the area around Old Orchard Shelter. There is a water source there and Fox Creek is just on the other side of 603. If you are planning on staying near Thomas Knob, get there early.