GSMNP question.

[Sweetpea]

Hey!

I am planning an 18 mile, weekend backpack trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I've hiked there before (Mt. Sterling), but as a ground dweller. I was hoping to see if anyone has hammocked there with no problem. I'll be doing back country hiking, but Friday night I'll get there around 8pm and we are going to stay in a shelter before beginning our trip Sat. morning. From what I remmeber, the shelters were fenced in to keep bears out. I'm worried I won't be allowed to hang for safety reasons (bears). Anyone have any experience or advice before I call the ranger at Sugarland? Thanks in advance!

[Bearpaw]

You can't legally hammock (or tent) at shelters unless you are on a thru-hiker pass. (Which you won't be due to your schedule)

Bear safety is not the issue. The intent to minimize impacting the area around the heavily used shelters.

[Cannibal]

Are you planning on just hiking on the AT? If so, you are not supposed to camp (hang) outside of the shelters unless they are full.

If not, zero worries. No hammock restrictions anywhere in the park except the AT. Even then, the restrictions are about 'camping', not hammock camping.

[Sweetpea]

Thanks Bearpaw and Cannibal!

No, not hiking the AT. Just stringing some trails together for a section hike. However, Friday night I will have to spend the night in a shelter. I suppose I can sleep on the hard shelter floor on Fri and then in hang in the backcountry.

[Bearpaw]

Thanks Bearpaw and Cannibal!

No, not hiking the AT. Just stringing some trails together for a section hike. However, Friday night I will have to spend the night in a shelter. I suppose I can sleep on the hard shelter floor on Fri and then in hang in the backcountry.

Which one are you going to, Kephart?

[Sweetpea]

Which one are you going to, Kephart?

No, Mt. Collins. It's a quick 1/2 mile in. We just needed a place to stay the night before starting our hike Saturday-Sunday.

[Bearpaw]

No, Mt. Collins. It's a quick 1/2 mile in. We just needed a place to stay the night before starting our hike Saturday-Sunday.

Be sure to get your reservation if you haven't already and pay attention to the backcountry closures page because Mt. Collins usually gets closed for a few days each summer while rangers remove a resident bear.

[Sweetpea]

Be sure to get your reservation if you haven't already and pay attention to the backcountry closures page because Mt. Collins usually gets closed for a few days each summer while rangers remove a resident bear.

Thanks Bearpaw.

We got the reservation for the shelter and plan on picking up a permit when we get there. The links are great. I actually found some more useful info on them.