Re: [at-l] Re: OB Trip report 4 & SMNP Shelter Question

["Thomas McGinnis" <tmcginnis@ucclan.state.in.us>]

Reservations for backcountry sites in the GSMNP which require them are taken on a first come, first served basis, no farther than 30 days in advance. This does include sites/shelters along the route of the AT, where a certain number (depending on the shelter's capacity) are reserved for throughhikers. As the info below notes, there is limited provision for camping; this is *usually* for throughhikers who've been bumped out of shelters (by *other* throughhikers).

>>> <WHHAWKINS@aol.com> 04/10/00 11:30PM >>>
Unlike most shelters along the AT, the Shelters In the Great Smoky Mountains 
National Park are NOT on a first come, first served basis.

Wildbill

This information is from the ATC's web site:
Reservations are required in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, unless 
you are what the national park considers a thru-hiker, which is one who 
starts a hike more than 50 miles outside the Park and continues 50 miles 
beyond the park. If you meet these criteria, and there are no spaces 
available in a shelter, you may camp 
there, but not at any points in between. There is no other tent camping 
allowed along the Trail in the Park. In addition, a permit is required of all 
hikers camping overnight in the Smokies. 

This Information is from the GSMNP web site.
Backcountry Campsites: Backcountry camping is free but requires a permit. 
Most campsites use self-registration at visitor centers or ranger stations, 
but shelters and rationed sites require reservations. Reservations can be 
made 30 days in advance by calling (423) 436-1231, 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. 
daily. 
______________________________________________________________________
In a message dated 04/10/2000 11:48:23 PM EDT, lparker@cacaphony.net writes:

<< The shelters (and practically every other campsite) in the Smokies are
 rationed on a first come first serve basis. There are a certain number of
 slots set aside for thru hikers on the AT every night. During peak season
 there aren't enough, even if they set ALL the slots aside, but that's
 another story. >>
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