Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backcountry Shelters

Backcountry shelters are structures designed to provide protection and refuge for outdoor enthusiasts in remote areas, such as hikers, campers, climbers, and skiers. These shelters are essential for ensuring safety and comfort in harsh weather conditions or when venturing far from civilization. As of February 2013, Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a permit and advance reservations for all backcountry camping in the park. Before planning your backcountry trip, please read through important information about reservations and permits, regulations, bear safety, trail closures, and more on our backcountry website. Please direct questions concerning backpacking trip planning to the Backcountry Information Office at 865-436-1297. Phone calls are the preferred method of contact. The information office is open for phone calls daily from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) and in-person service from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. In addition to answering your backpacking questions, the experienced backpackers in the Backcountry Information Office can provide you with tips to make your trip safe and enjoyable. Resources: The park has over 800 miles of trails offering hikers a wide range of scenery including spectacular mountain vistas, rushing streams and waterfalls, historic structures, and quiet groves of old-growth forest. You can download a park trail map to find the location of trails, backcountry shelters, and campsites in the park. In addition, Smokies Life sells a variety of hiking books, maps, and guides to help choose a hiking route and plan your backcountry trip. Smokies Life is a nonprofit organization that supports educational and scientific programs in the park. You can contact the Association online or by phone at 865-436-0120. Regulations: Backpackers and hikers are subject to all Backcountry Rules and Regulations. Failure to abide by park regulations may subject you to a fine under Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. Maximum fine for each violation is $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail.

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