This stretch of the Appalachian Trail covers the
AT through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail travels 72 miles
across the heart of this popular National Park. While the park receives
over nine million visitors each year, the AT only crosses one road, US 441 at
Newfound Gap after over forty miles. Your hiking through the most diverse
forest in all of North America.
Backcountry permits must be obtained before
entering the park, if you're planning on hiking through the park. Even if
your planning to stay just one night in the park, you must get a permit.
Anyone caught without a permit will be issued a $125 ticket! North bound
thru hikers can obtain a permit from a self registration facility located near
the pay phone at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center. If you are hiking south
bound, your only chance to get a permit is at the USFS offices in Hot Springs,
NC.
Within the park, nearly half the Appalachian
Trail is open to horseback riding. You may encounter horseback riders at
some of the shelters along the trail. Dogs are not permitted on any of the
trails inside of the park, including the Appalachian Trail. You can be
fined up to $500 if your found hiking with a dog inside the park!
Black bear in Great Smoky Mountains National
Park
Trust me when I say there is a really good chance
you'll encounter a bear inside of the park. Great Smoky Mountains National
Park is home to more than 600 bears. Over the years they have developed a
taste for the food hikers carry and are a common visitor to many shelters in the
park.
If your thru hiking the AT and heading northbound
you've hiked just over 160 miles. These next 70 miles are some of the most
amazing trail miles you'll encounter, including a long stretch of trail that is
well over 5000 feet as well as the highest point anywhere along the AT near
Clingmans Dome at 6225 feet. The Great Smoky Mountains get the most rain
and snow along the southern part of the AT. Many north bound thru hikers
are caught off guard by the snow and cold in the high elevations of the Smokies.
We offer the full GPS tracks of the 72 mile section
of the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountain National Park for only $1.97 via a .gpx
file. This file also includes waypoints for the shelters located
along the trail as well as parking areas. A great tool to keep
you on the trail or to make your own maps!
We recommend purchasing any of the following books for those
looking for more information on hiking the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky
Mountain National Park:
Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina: 13th Edition
Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee
Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Best Easy Day Hikes Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hiking Trails of the Smokies
Trails Illustrated Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trails Illustrated Great Smoky Mountains National Park Explorer
