You may want to avoid the smokies ,,,sad but true

[mountainman]

all hikers now have to register and get a back country permit at any ranger station in tennessee it cost 20 dollars and gets you access to the AT trail and back country camp sites
there are no hammocks allowed and no tents unless the shelter is full then tents are permitted ,,if you get caught its a hefty fine ,im going to just hike on thru and try not to stay over night as little as possible.