A group of backpackers who sued over a fee program instituted at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have failed to show they were harmed by the $4 nightly fees, according to a motion asking that the lawsuit be dismissed.. The changes include a $4 per person, per night fee for backcountry camping. A permit is required for camping in the backcountry. 2 Camping is permitted only at desig-nated sites and shelters. Biggest deal is parking at the trailhead. nashville. Keep your permit with you while in the backcountry, and be prepared to show it if you come across a ranger. Journal Entries 1. Backcountry Office & Permit System Restructuring. Thru-hikers are required to stay at backcountry shelters throughout the trail, 4 spaces per shelter … Smoky MountainsBackcountry Camping. If I am looking to go on a multi-night hike in the smoky mountains and am getting the backcountry permits needed, do I need to wait until 30 days before the LAST day I want to camp on a seven day permit? 7 year old is used to medium/longer hiking as well, we've regularly hiked 10 miles a day with him in previous years, but those trips are typically day trips rather than camping trips (with day packs rather than camp bags). The fee will be $4 per person per night, with a maximum of cost of $20 per person per permit, for up to seven nights. The facility includes a Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop, as well as a Backcountry permit station. Reservations are $4 per person per night with a max fee of $20 per person. Show Printable Version; Email this Page… 01-20-2019, 00:14 #21. It is anticipated the online reservation and permitting system will be available to the public within the first few months of 2013. The Sugarlands Visitor Center is open year-round on every day except Christmas Day. The fee, along with a new website to pay it, would be up and running… The office is staffed by volunteers and is open daily from 9 a.m. until noon. Save . Backcountry Office & Permit System Restructuring. These … Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that changes to its current backcountry reservation and permitting process will take effect on February 13, 2013. At most campsites you cannot stay for more that 3 consecutive nights. The park has considered a variety of possibilities. Great Smoky Mountains Thru Hiker Permit; If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Backcountry Office hours have been expanded with additional staff available to provide trip planning assistance both over the phone and in person. Thru-hikers on the Great Smoky Mountains section of the Appalachian Trail are required to obtain a permit for the time they spend hiking through the park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina) (Note: policies and protocols may be different during the COVID-19 pandemic.) There are nearly 100 designated campsites and 15 shelters (no tent required), though some are for hikers only, hikers and horseback riders only, and boaters only. Including all sites offers the best opportunity for improving customer service and the backcountry experience. If you’re looking for something longer than a weekend trip, you can attempt to hike the entire 72 miles of the Smoky Mountains section of the Appalachian Trail, which travels past Clingmans Dome, Rocky Top/Thunderhead, Charlies Bunion, and several other essential Smoky Mountains destinations. Re: Best smoky mountains backcountry site . 31 at the head of Porter's Creek is another recommendation. How to Hike the Virgin River Narrows in Zion. Great Smoky Mountains National Park changed the backcountry reservation and permitting process in February 2013. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backcountry Permit System allows users to apply for and purchase backcountry permits. Check out 28 on the TN side of the Park. The fee will be used to provide increased customer service for backcountry trip planning, reservations, permits and the backcountry experience. If you plan to stay overnight in the backcountry, there are some things you'll need to do and to remember. Put valuables in the trunk and do it before you arrive at the trailhead. Now that you know all of the fun and exciting places to go backpacking, here are a few tips to help you make sure that your journey is both fun and memorable. Location Birmingham, AL. For general information about the backcountry, backcountry trip planning assistance or backcountry reservations, call the Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297. In addition, by making all sites reservation-only, the new reservation system will have the capability to notify permit holders of site closures, safety issues and other emergency conditions via email and text messaging prior to beginning their trip. Spread across 500,000 acres in the Southern Appalachian range, the park is a four-season wonderland, famous for both its colorful spring wildflowers and the fiery blazes of autumn. Food storage instructions, general guidance about the challenges of the park's backcountry and Leave No Trace, as well as other educational and safety information will also be included in the system. 37738. Hate to purchase a whole bunch then have a heart attack over the cost and miss out . A backcountry camping permit is required for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. • Will the park institute a per person limit for backcountry fees paid in one year? 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The Backcountry Office is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. The fee will be implemented at that time. Permit info...you might see what is available. Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have an entrance fee. All backcountry users stand to benefit from the changes. The fee will be used to provide increased customer service for backcountry trip planning, reservations, permitting and to improve the backcountry experience. For photographers, Great Smoky Mountains offers an array of opportunity. Looking at late spring before Mem Day (our favorite time of year and less crowds.) The new reservation/permit system will automatically send an email message and/or text message to those holding reservations for sites that have been closed. They are all found along the Appalachian Trail, except for Kephart, Laurel Gap, Mount Collins, Mount LeConte, Pecks Corner, and Spence Field. Please contact the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297 if you have any questions. A backcountry permit must be obtained for overnight stays before entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and a $4 per person fee will be required for each night in the backcountry. The backcountry use permit isBackcountry Camping Permits free but is required for all overnight camping in the backcountry. The backcountry fee of $4 per night per person, with a $20 per person cap per trip, took effect this past February. Answer 1 of 12: Hey all, trying to get back down to the smokies region -with my daughter. Once changes are implemented, backcountry users will be able to obtain reservations and print permits at their convenience through an online system which may be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The following backcountry regulations for anyone entering Great Smoky Mountains trail Map backcountry stays to 30 in! 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