Great Smoky Mountains

5 Tr er ay er m am Tr tC oun M we Lo 1 2. M o 0.6 il e Cr Bi g to g Bo t Walnu t il l Ga p Trail 2.5 1.0 ee T 4.1 rail oc h a lo 9 3. t il 0.8 h Li t Ri 2. 3 Br Tr k 40 E Exit 20 Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center Purchase Gap 0 276 1.8 Bal d CH EE Jonath O C ATA L O an 5.5 ph E C r ee k il l Hem Black Camp Gap To Asheville Dellwood Maggie Valley To Asheville Soco Gap Tr ai l 2. 4 Q UAL L A B O UNDAR Y (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians land) F Creek WAYNESVILLE Waterrock Knob Great Smoky Mountains National Park occupies the traditional lands of the Cherokee (ᏣᎳᎩ, Tsalagi) people, now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United MS L SA Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. BA ue Bl Ridge Whittier Pa 74 G rk Swain County Visitor Center P LO TT wa k Tuc a gee R i ve r l pa 23 hi ac ad ley an SYLVA Fork ok em on t Lo 9 op 3. Tr ws 1.0 10 Kilometers 1 10 Miles 1 trin Appalachian Trail Hiking only (top) Horse and hiking Hiking trail Mountains-To-Sea Trail Horse and hiking trail Benton MacKaye Trail g Tr Unpaved road 2.2 Ri ve Developed campground Auto-access horse camp r ta ha la Ranger station Observation tower MO 129 Roads in park are closed to commercial vehicles. TA H ALA UNT AIN S 5 6 7 8 9 10 Shelter (Hiker only) Shelter (Horse and hiker) 00 Hiker only campsite 1.3 Trail distances are shown in miles between intersections 00 Horse and hiker campsite 00 Boat-in only campsite This trail map is not intended to show legal boundary of the national park. To Atlanta 4 H 441 NAN I NS LD To Tennessee ton Bald Tr E MAP LEGEND North 0 Riv er BA 23 0 New G OLD 0.9 Lit tle 28 D 441 Br 0.3 Cheoah Bald D Ro DIV ee 3.9 Tra il 1.9 ee Cr ee D iv ide 4.6 Tr a 0.5 M cK n ma Catalo och 2.9 il B ooger Tr 6 4. ad Ro Fork gh t e C a t a l o oc h e e ra e 1.7 For rk Fo Parkway ve Double Gap r dg 3. Polls Gap oga Rid ge into He Road s o (cl ed in winter) e Ra v e n 4.4 ast Stra i 1.7 l el w .4 1 ld Balsam Mountain i Ra g ve n as m Tr a Tra il 3. 3 0.6 Ba 3.1 Divide MA S Cre e Ch Tr rk Fo Trail E G RI D il Tra ge Rid 2 2. an di 1.1 1.0 2.0 0.7 k T rail Sunk o ta 0.7 3.8 p TH O Trail 3.6 Cr ee k p Dee Cree 4.3 k IDE D IV A NOL Dee Tr 4.1 k C d lan No 1.0 Sna k 0 1. 4. 5 Tr ai l in ta in w int er ) d P 5 re ek ND y ch Y NE FO R 0.4 3.9 Do m 3.5 Clin gm an s il T 4. e l Cr ee k Fo 1.2 h ug 3.5 Co ID in k 7.6 0.4 3.6 T e r Ro u 0.7 1.1 Forney e ac Ka y M 1.8 Huskey 2. 1 1.7 0.9 A lu m C av l ai Tra il Welc h GE RID Cr 1.3 Tr Cr Cree k H 0.9 0.9 C es J ak 5 2. R I D GE JENK INS kins Ridge T RAIL Trail Jen 5.2 S na Creek Cove 1.4 Lu m 4.1 b Trail C e Eag l Ea gl e 8.7 3.1 3.7 ty W es t TN E M BO T Tra il ll F us se 6. 4 il e Tra idg yR or Pro ng 2. 7 Mtn t ie l d 3.5 Road k 1.2 Rd n Rich one-way 0 1. r) Forge C ( clo sed in Bote Mtn d TC HA 2.6 rM tn Tr Turkeypen Ridg La 3.4 Cr ee k M R Ca HE an 7 1. ar re g Tr IN ne O U 4.2 Tr N TA 2.1 Tr ai l Cr ee e k M 9 0. d rk wa y Be 2. Tw 6 en Ro Ca rk Fo Ri dg e 3.2 41 rk T (tem po Fo Cove Creek Gap l y ey Ro a 40 2.6 Parson B er ) Bi 42 Creek NA i Tra ad Pa Palmer House Tr pp yV al l PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST 0.8 Spruce Mountain Flat LI ai l Tr ek Cataloochee g Fk Round Bottom Rd om ot t RO eek Cr e Cr 0.8 lls 3 Spruce Mountain Trail H Ha Pin Oak Gap 1.2 CA il Tra 3.6 3. 40 k 4.0 rail p T ow Ga S C WATERVILLE LAKE un e Ridg tty Holl N d t hi i aye Tra acK Pretty Hollow Gap Palmer dB t o o g a / Ro u n ot T Mount Sterling Gap 39 le Tr ei n E t Sterling T r Long B l I TA Fo 3 M Tra i UN SE 2. Fo rk MO 2.3 lsam Mtn in w ES Cree k Tr ail Mount Sterling 4.0 Laurel Gap 0 in H e xt Ba r 1 Pre AM n Mount ed 441 FOREST 19 3 6. 38 ow LS to Ben c Bee n Na 2 m a ll Sw BA 9 (clo s 19 Ap NATIONAL 74 1 n ap k ek Plott Balsam Ela er NANTAHALA 143 S es t ek Tr Trail 5.1 Oconaluftee River Trail 1.5 S oc o 28 ROBBINSVILLE NO Br Tr CHEROKEE 0.5 Trail Wesser NTA B 2.1 RI Skyway nic MO U ut 19 441 143 D MOUNTAIN Waterville Big Creek 9 1. Ch Cr e 36 M Tr B Oconaluftee Visitor Center 4 2.8 ge p H ya t t NN y 0.9 Ga Ri Trail lu e 1.0 Mt Cammerer Bi 9 E 5 or Tow String Deep Creek er RIDG R iv HES Smokemont Davenport Gap e ek Cr 37 1.0 ail .1 R o ad Cove 2.2 e 4. Ba 1.8 47 50 Tow String Tr k Trail or 2.2 Tuckasege ge Stone Pile Gap Trail l k Tr 3.6 lo e C ree k k Creek Tr 2.9 Indian Creek Motor Trail In 0.9 Rid 60 2. 2.5 RT NORTH CAROLINA 2.3 Low Gap Tr ail 2.5 B o Th 1. 1.8 51 Tra i 9 r 59 e De ld 3. p T 52 46 plow F oo 4.9 1.5 r Cree en gus 58 n Newton to Bald N ew 4.7 BRYSON CITY KE Luftee Knob il 44 HU G Hughes nt tains-To-Sea y L Fork o AIN S mokem Ri NT Tr 54 55 56 57 Bradle y OU i at En Tr ail PARK 48 e te uf Mo un LAKE IR WB TENNESSEE Exit 451 74 Stecoah Gap la eroha Ch ve r 2.1 r F nte Gu 0. Pecks Corner Min NO Cosb 2.2 M Bradle D on al ve 53 2.3 L AN Oc se SANTEETLAH e Th n ammerer Trail Mount Cammerer Trail Balsam High Top 2 73 4 Mount Sequoyah Trail.8 Drive 66 R I CH 2.9 Juney Whank Falls Trail ew 2.0 Ro a d 49 Tra il Tr Cr Deep Creek Horse Trail Vi g Pron Kephart ke ice Indian Creek Falls La Kephart il Loop Trail e re Slu 67 G ap Kan 3.3 o l e R oa d Dr .2 5.1 Ri d g 1.3 1.0 74 65 oun d Cabin Flats Trail 2.9 Gap 2.0 7.8 Noland C ia Grassy Branch Trail p Tr Mount Guyot 2. y 2.5 ail 0 2.8 64 Swea t 1.5 5.1 63 Icewater Spring NATIONAL Martins Gap Trail 62 Laurel Top t C Cosby Camel Gap Knob n il 1.7 Ne wf un 2.4 2.3 4.1 Camel Ga Charlies Bunion Trail 1.8 E 6. 31 3.7 He if e r Cr Tra il Newfound Gap 1.7 Trail n p al ac h Ap Sm Sce eo 7.4 2.5 L ow G 5.3 ek e de Divi a Br Tunnel Bypass Trail 0.6 1.3 Goldmine Loop Trail Fo 61 7 Inadu Knob Mount Chapman a Tr 4 ul evard Clingmans Dome Visitor Center 2.8 Tr Porters 2.7 se clo d( rk DG 1.8 r Cre 5.0 3.7 e k ee Whiteoak Branch Tr 1 a Ro Cosby Ramsey Cascades Porters Flat o eB 5. Noland RI Ma ddron ve Ri un 1.7 2.5 e ge Tr 3.7 Th Alum Cave Bluffs Trail 2.4 AI N U NT ne 1.2 on g il Tr a S WILDERNESS AREA Gap e ig R id Trail ter) l 0.4 8 R iv KILMER - SLICKROCK ra Prong g Trail 71 4. MO 28 r Fo sey R am 0. Ri d E s Trail de 4.0 ca Cas 8.7 78 LA d Ri i Tra PI NN AC L ER ENBR I 29 4.3 D en Balsam Mtn Tra Mount Le Conte Road 12.3 98 72 Tr ai ra 34 6.6 a Ga Tr be s M o un t ai n win N TA I N Trail ton Ben 76 l ai Tr 5.9 r ghous Sprin 4.2 H 77 Brushy Mo 0 re Trail Trail Brushy Mountain 6. 81 ho 2.7 ar 0.5 LC WE ll Bu MO U 1.8 ah K ad 85 Lakes FONTANA VILLAGE Ro Cold Spring Gap 69 y ne 1.8 eo CREE ive nR p Su g e Pigeo Ga d ittl Ol ng L o ound Pr wf 3.5 p Trail Greenbrier Cove Mi ddle Prong 1.0 Andrews Bald 7.4 ek 70 75 Fontana Marina L OW W S p r i ng G a k 86 87 129 Tr 83 84 ee Be High Rocks 0.3 3 FONTANA YE L Ne 8 4.5 el Ha z 88 Fontana Dam Ch 0 1. er 1. Cre Trail C H EOA H Riv 82 e dg Ri 3.9 il Tra Lakeshore ail Tr 4.4 azel el H 68 k LA KE Clingmans Dome 1.9 ee Cr 89 az Bone Valley Trail Chimney Tops Trail Mount Collins Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail 4.1 GRE Campfres Prohibited 0.5 5.9 30 Double Spring 1.9 Gap Jon as 35 Hen Wallow Falls Tricorner Knob Balsam Rainbow Falls Point d MOUNTAINS en eek Cr H ea 24 h Gos l Trai Twentymile FOREST tle k ee Cr 0.4 Buckeye Gap .1 15.8 ld Albright Grove Albright Grove .7 Loop Trail 0 32 e rd eya ap Gr Grotto Falls Trilli um 1.7 a G p 2.9 0.6 Tra Ra il in lls Tra a F bo il w 1.9 AR S ug Chimney arlan L A N Tops D d M o u nt a i n T ek 0.8 Cre gh 8 2. Pro ng Tra 4.4 il 8 0. 90 23 3.3 k Baskins Creek Trail lands Trail 3.5 Silers Bald e re Fo rk Mo y SUG 4 3.3 il 0.5 NATIONAL 91 T Camp Prong 2.4 Derrick Knob ld 93 TENNESSEE Thunderhead Mountain Rocky 6.2 Top il 1.1 Trail Deals Gap 97 T 28 3.7 r Cold Spring Knob ra Trail 1.9 Rid l ge Twent y mile Loop Tr Trai ile m 2.9 CALDERWOOD LAKE Cove Lost 2.7 Shuckstack 8 n Lyn Co ge 5.2 lf Wo 113 92 SMOKY 2.5 NORTH CAROLINA 4.6 Ri d 1. -wa ch ar dR sT d r r 21 .1 0.8 26 Greenbrier Ridge Trail 8.9 r ng Hu y GREAT 1.8 g Lon ay Pron g ar Ga p Huskey Gap 27 Jakes Gap Miry er Panth 2.3 2.3 Tr ek re 2.9 2.9 n ia 96 d le Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg Trail il Tra 2.0 L i tt l e Tr a 2.0 M id 2.5 Tr Creek 3.1 Ri ve r 2.4 Li t 2.4 Cu cum ber G ap Tr Ridge l Trai A Riv er il Tra Doe Knob pp h ac al Tr e 4.1 Trail Mountain Blanket Mountain itt le Fighting Creek Gap 73 P 321 C Cove Mountain Trail 20 igs Me one La Bald Gregory 1.2 Bald 95 12 l 18 Pig 32 Ba Roaring VE Elkmont 4.2 5.0 G 9 Spence Field i Tra 19 Trail 13 Parson Bald Mollies Ridge R Mtn Trai l Russell Field 1.9 441 4 y rr Gregory 1 10 Cr eek 1.9 Tr L i t tl e R Cu ree y Tr ve Tr one-way 6 k ee Cr 4. gs ei M .5 3 te Tr ap .6 1 il 8. oa d iver R L to -w CHEROKEE n wi bG C an 1.7 Trail d ad se Ro clo ch arily n r ra e on 1. 4.0 ay e-w es) on icl eh v r to mo 0 ms 5.1 tain 7.6 CHILHOWEE LAKE Abra CADES COVE Cr i Creek 1.8 un 14 d oop Roa ley Fi n 2.8 o Tra il Cades Cove Visitor Center o Cades Cove L u r el Le a d C Wet F 4.2 alls Bottom Tr Little 2.4 Brier Gap Tr ng Pr o ms Abrams Falls 15 M Chilhowee Abra on th An 16 ek Hannah ams Cre e Tr bb Ra 1.9 Creek it Ab r tch Ha Tr 2.7 17 to m s 6 1.2 Rd idge T ra GATLINBURG Park Headquarters Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont e Middl Bo t Tra 5 . 5 il Tr 1.1 Little Abrams Creek Road 5 s Che Schoolhouse 1.0 Gap Trail Tr e Tr 2. 3 ai unt 3.6 ) Mo r e ve Gap Tr nt ot in wi Indian Gra Sc 1.8 8 0. 1.1 Crooked sed Arm (clo Rich Mtn Ridge Tr 2.9 Loop Tr 2.2 Tr OW er tn IL H .3 op N CH EE 12 Co 8 M R er Li t t le 73 e tur tor Na ( cl o s e d i n River 1. Ric h MT 0.4 Little Greenbrier Trail 3.3 OU N AI NT Sugarlands Visitor Center CO The Sinks 4.3 rail Top T t t nu CH C 3 RI 2 Gold Mine Trail 0.8 5. 6 Ace p Trail Ga O N 73 Townsend Visitor Center ll s A SNOWBIRD 321 ttlers Trail Old Se Gatlinburg Bypass Road ur el Little Greenbrier Falls School 3.1 Metcalf Laurel Falls Bottoms Tr 7.5 Ro il undtop Tra C OV E Townsend Ace Gap I TA UN VE R EA 1.9 T U C K A L E E CH E E 0.1 33 Greenbrier 321 Many areas of the park, including roads, frontcountry campgrounds, trails, and backcountry campsites/shelters are subject to closure as environmental conditions or operational capabilities change. Please check the park’s website at nps.gov for the latest closure information. M OU NTA I N Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center Wear Valley t le 0.4 Pittman Center r O ee k rok ee he Cr in Tw Facility Closures CO W hi Pi g e er Ri v Lit ot FOREST 0.4 0.3 Tr WEBB on 321 w ark l thi Ridge Den Fo NATIONAL Low PIGEON FORGE ay Foo e Cosby le s 416 r CHEROKEE Exit 443 w tt ll hi 0.4 0.2 es t rk Pa Li ot Fo To Chattanooga TE W M ls P e 0.3 Walland ay rkw Pa Gab g on 321 r 1.0 441 Pr 321 Rive a nt ou 0.3 sM Ri er e eo n Beard Cane Trail near campsite #3 Beech Gap Trail on Straight Fork Road Cold Spring Gap Trail at Hazel Creek Eagle Creek Trail** 15 crossings Fork Ridge Trail crossing of Deep Creek at junction with Deep Creek Trail Forney Creek Trail** seven crossings N Gunter Fork Trail** fve crossings TA I N Abrams Falls Trail Hannah Mountain Trail** just before OU Jonas Creek Trail near Forney M Creek Little River Trail near campsite #30 Long Hungry Ridge Trail both sides of campsite #92 Lost Cove Trail near Lakeshore Trail junction Meigs Creek Trail 18 crossings Noland Creek Trail** both sides of campsite #62 E OWE I L H Panther Creek Trail at Middle Prong Trail junction CH Pole Road Creek Trail near Deep Creek Trail Rabbit Creek Trail at the Abrams Falls Trailhead Roundtop Trail** crossing of Little River at Little River Road Trillium Gap Trail at Grotto Falls (icy in winter) Upper Hazel Creek Trail hiker-only portion Wet Bottom Trail follow signs for Elijah Oliver Trail as alternate route MARYVILLE JOYCE L i tt l g Pi Riv 40 32 rli ng RI VE R National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 321 Nearly all park trails cross small streams—making very wet crossings during fooding. The following trails that cross streams with no bridges can be diffcult and dangerous at food stage. (Asterisks ** indicate the most diffcult and potentially dangerous.) This list is not all-inclusive. le 12 Ca t E SSE NE L it t 11 To Newport r N TE McGhee-Tyson Airport Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Carolina/Tennessee 10 Stream Crossings 129 Look Rock Great Smoky Mountains Trail Map 9 441 411 $1.00 8 To Newport SEVIERVILLE 129 50036 80251 7 411 411 4 6 1.4 4 To Knoxville te 3 we 2 To Knoxville Lo 1 11 12 ©2021 GSMA I Your Guide to the Wondrous Diversity of the Smokies One hundred and fifty trails extend for approximately 800 miles, crossing the ridges, peaks, and valleys of America’s most visited national park. Backcountry Campsites Using the Chart at Right For those seeking more information, a variety of topographic maps and trail guides are available, including Hiking Trails of the Smokies, the comprehensive park trail guidebook. To order a map or guide, call 865.436.7318, ext. 226, or visit SmokiesInformation.org. Backcountry campsites and shelters are listed by map coordinates (7E, etc.), with their elevations in feet. Backcountry campsites are numbered and grouped by the major access areas. All sites and shelters are available to hikers, but camping with horses and other Site No. pack animals is allowed only at those with a bold H. Each site’s allowable capacities are shown in parentheses. For example, (12, 6H) means 12 hikers, 6 horses; (12) means 12 hikers, no horses. See “Camping Permits” for more information. For Your Safety Do not leave valuables in sight inside your car. Do not leave a note on your car indicating how long you will be hiking. Protect your valuables by taking them with you or hiding them in your car. Great Smoky Mountains Trail Map and Guide Toilet Use Improper human waste disposal creates one of the most disgusting conditions in the backcountry. Regulations require that human feces be deposited in a six-inch-deep hole and covered with soil. No toilet use may occur within 100 feet of a camp or water source or within sight of a trail. Defecating behind a shelter or near a spring creates very unhealthy conditions and is clearly bad manners. All toilet paper, sanitary napkins, and tampons must be packed out. Do not bury them. Please, take a little extra care! Map Key 1200 1320 1360 3400 3400 3200 3000 1530 2600 4640 2050 1550 1700 1240 2D 2D 3D 3D 4D 4E 4E 2D 3E 2F 2E 2E 2E 2D West Prong (12) Upper Henderson (8, 2H) King Branch (12, 4H) Mile 53 (12) Camp Creek (12) Rough Creek (15) Dripping Spring Mountain (10) Lower Jakes Gap (12, 2H) Marks Cove (12, 6H) Three Forks (12) 1600 2880 2520 2640 3200 2860 4400 3520 3490 3400 4D 5D 5D 6D 6D 6D 6D 5D 5D 6E 4560 3400 2280 1960 3240 2680 10B 8D 8C 9B 10B 10B 3040 3000 5820 3040 3100 3360 5480 11C 11C 11C 11D 11D 11E 10D 5040 3620 3320 3060 2360 10D 10D 9D 9D 9E 2870 2800 5000 3000 2600 2410 2405 2360 2360 2320 2120 8F 8F 8E 8E 8E 8E 8F 8F 8F 7F 7F 3560 3160 2920 2540 2040 1720 1840 7E 7F 7F 7F 6F 6G 6G 3960 2800 2400 2180 1720 2800 6E 6F 6F 6F 6G 5F 2720 2280 2160 2000 1680 1960 5F 5F 4F 4F 4F 4F 1880 1760 2040 2520 1880 2360 2880 2400 3680 4F 3F 3F 3F 3F 2F 4F 4E 3F 1720 1720 1720 1770 1800 1720 1800 1720 3G 6G 6G 5G 5G 5G 4G 5G 2600 4700 5920 5280 5920 5870 5507 5460 4890 4900 4360 4570 6440 3900 5600 11B 10C 10C 9D 8D 7E 6E 6E 5E 4E 4E 3E 7D 8D 10D Greenbrier/Cosby Area BILL LEA PHOTOGR APH Stay calm, do not leave the trail, and do not travel at night. Prevent getting lost by keeping your group together, staying on the trail, and using a map. Let someone know your schedule and travel plans, so they can notify park authorities if you are overdue. Cooper Road (12) Cane Creek (4) Hesse Creek (8, 2H) Rich Mountain (4, 2H) Turkeypen Ridge (8) Anthony Creek (12) Ledbetter Ridge (8) Forge Creek (12) Sheep Pen Gap (15, 8H) Flint Gap (8) Rabbit Creek (12) Scott Gap (10) Little Bottoms (14) Elev. (Feet) Elkmont/Tremont Area Your personal commitment to ethical backcountry use is the most important factor in maintaining the park’s wilderness character. Take pride in leaving no trace of your presence here. If You Get Lost Cades Cove Area 1 2 3 5 6 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 26 27 28 30 Leave No Trace • Abide by all backcountry use regulations. They are designed for resource protection. • Use a stove and candle lantern to minimize the trampling and destruction of vegetation that result from collecting firewood. • Never cook or burn food in a campfire. Food residues and odors remain and attract wildlife that will become a problem for future campers. • Keep your group small to preserve a sense of solitude. • Camp where your campsite already shows impacts. Don't establish new tent sites. • Pack out all leftover food and trash. • Avoid cutting across switchbacks to prevent destructive trail erosion. Capacity BILL LEA PHOTOGR APH NPS PHOTOGR APH NPS PHOTOGR APH Into the Wild: Visiting the Smokies Backcountry Trip Planning and Permits If Someone Gets Injured Keep your cooking and sleeping areas separate. Keep tents and sleeping bags free of food odors; do not store food, garbage or other attractants (including toothpaste and soap) in them. A clean camp is essential to reducing problems. Pack out all food and litter; don’t bury it or try to burn anything. If someone is injured and can't be moved to a trailhead, do the following: Provide warmth and comfort; leave someone with the injured person; note the exact location and circumstances; and hike out and let rescuers know where to go and what to prepare for. It is your responsibility to make sure you don't get injured. Be careful and use common sense. Getting accident victims out of the backcountry is difficult and often dangerous for all involved. There are no cellular phone towers in the park so cell phones do not work from most locations. The tops of high ridges near the park boundary are the most likely spots for reception. For emergencies only, call 911 or 865.436.9171. Hazards! Wind. High winds associated with approaching weather fronts can bring down trees and limbs on heavily forested trails. Plan accordingly. Hypothermia. Hypothermia is when body temperature falls below the point at which the body can maintain its own heat. It is an all-season killer and results from exposure to a combination of wind, rain, and cold. At higher elevations, a wet hiker can succumb to hypothermia in mid-summer. Be prepared for sudden weather changes—and learn how to take care of yourself in extremes of cold, heat, and wetness. Always carry raingear; storms arise quickly. Hypothermia symptoms can appear very rapidly, even in mild weather. Know hypothermia’s symptoms and treat them immediately: uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, memory lapses, stumbling, fumbling hands, drowsiness, and the inability to get up after a nap. Victims need dry clothing, warm fluids if conscious, and shelter from the elements. To prevent hypothermia, drink before thirsty, eat before hungry, rest before tired, and stay dry. Travel and stay with a companion. Two people can look after each other better than one can look after oneself! Clothing should be worn in layers, an outer layer to ward off wind and precipitation, and inner layers to insulate. Keep your head warm and dry with a good hat. Other cold weather hazards include frostbite, icy trails, and deep snow. Stream crossings and waterfalls. Rain-swollen streams can be unsafe to ford. Don't cross a stream unless you are sure you can make it. As an additional precaution, make sure your pack can be discarded quickly, wear shoes to protect your feet, use a stout stick for extra support, and, if you lose your footing, float with your feet downstream to protect your head. Walking near a stream on moss- and spray-covered rocks can be hazardous. Never camp next to a stream swollen by high water. Waterfalls can be extremely hazardous; climbing on them has resulted in many fatalities. humans are extremely rare, but they have happened, inflicting serious injuries and death. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution and follow the guidelines below. Drinking water. All water obtained in the backcountry should be treated before drinking to protect you from health hazards. The recommended treatment is to boil it for one minute. Many park waters are clear, cold, and free-running. Nevertheless, they may not be safe to drink unless boiled. Filters may not remove certain bacteria or viruses, and chemical disinfectants require very long contact times for the water temperatures found in these mountains. Do not drink untreated water! Encounters along the trail. Stay alert. If you see a bear at a distance, do not approach it. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (it stops feeding, changes travel direction, watches you, etc.)—YOU’RE TOO CLOSE. Being too close may also promote aggressive behavior from the bear, like running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run but slowly back away, watching the bear. Try to increase the distance between you and the bear, and the bear will probably do the same. If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, typically without vocalizing or paw swatting, try changing your direction. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. Act aggressively and try to intimidate the bear. Act together as a group if you have companions. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Throw non-food items like rocks at the bear. Use a deterrent like a stout stick. Don’t run and don’t turn away from the bear. Don’t leave food for the bear; this only encourages further problems. Trees and Limbs. Before you set up camp, take a moment to look up and around you for any trees or limbs that may pose a hazard. Camp away from any areas that may be threatened by tree or limb fall. Special Equipment Concerns Clothing. One essential piece of equipment for hiking in the Smokies is a rain jacket. Bring it along even on sunny days when there’s not a cloud in the forecast. Sooner or later you’ll be thankful you did. When hiking in the high country between September and May, always carry warm clothing, including hat and gloves. Bears and You! Most injuries from black bear attacks are minor and result from the bear trying to get at people’s food. If the bear’s behavior shows that it is after your food, and you are physically attacked, separate yourself from the food and slowly back away. If the bear shows no interest in your food, and you are physically attacked, fight back aggressively with any available object— the bear may consider you prey! Help protect others: report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Above all, keep your distance from bears! Bears in the park are wild, and their behavior is unpredictable. Attacks on Encounters in camp. The best way to avoid bears is not to attract them to you. Footwear. Truly waterproof boots can be a big plus in the Smokies. Not only will they keep your feet drier during rainy weather, they also give you a little extra assistance when crossing shallow streams. Crampons. Small, clip-on crampons can be very helpful when hiking high elevation trails during cold weather. Always secure brass clip to eye bolt in bottom of tree Food storage cable systems are available at all backcountry sites. We recommend that you hang your entire pack in a plastic bag to protect it from wildlife and rain. All odorous items must be stored on the cables when not in use. Regulations require proper food storage. Secure all food and odorous items (e.g. toothpaste, lip balm) when not in use. Where food storage devices are present, they must be used. Otherwise, place all odorous items in your pack. Select two trees, 10–20 feet apart, with limbs 15 feet high. Using a rock for a weight, toss a rope over a limb on the first tree; tie one end to the pack. Repeat this process with the second tree. Raise the pack about six feet via the first rope and tie it off. Then pull the second rope until the pack is suspended at least 10 feet high and evenly spaced; it must be four feet or more from the nearest limb. Camping Permits All backcountry camping requires a permit which can be obtained online at smokiespermits.nps.gov, by calling 865.436.1297, or by visiting the Backcountry Information Office located in Sugarlands Visitor Center, two miles south of Gatlinburg, TN, on U.S. 441 (Newfound Gap Road). Permits are $4 per person, per night, with a maximum fee of $20 for up to 7 consecutive nights. Trips exceeding seven nights require an additional permit. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance of the first day of your trip. You may not stay two nights in a row in the same shelter or campsite 113. You may not stay more than three consecutive nights at any other campsite. Using a tent or a hammock at any shelter is prohibited. The maximum group size is eight persons, except at the following campsites where parties of up to 12 are permitted: 17, 20, 46, 60, 86, and 90. For parties greater than eight persons, reservations for these sites must be made through the Backcountry Information Office. Under Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, failure to abide by park regulations may result in a fine or imprisonment. Planning Your Trip For a safe and enjoyable backpacking experience, know your limitations. A maximum trip length of eight to 10 miles a day is recommended. Group size, elevation gain, weather, and availability of good water may also affect the success of your trip. 29 31 32 33 34 35 For trip planning assistance, visit or call the Backcountry Information Office at 865.436.1297. The following equipment is considered essential for a safe backpacking trip: two flashlights, water, raingear, comfortable ankle-supporting shoes, high-energy food, and extra clothing. Always carry a map and know how to use it. Rules and Regulations 1. You must possess a valid backcountry permit while camping in the backcountry. 2. Camping is permitted only at designated sites and shelters. All sites require advance reservations. 3. You may not stay two nights in a row in the same shelter or campsite 113. You may not stay more than three consecutive nights at any other campsite. 4. Maximum group size is eight persons, except at the sites noted in the “Camping Permits” section. 5. Open fires are prohibited except at designated sites. Use only wood that is dead and on the ground. Never cut live or standing trees. Use only established fire rings. Do not leave fires lit or unattended. A fire is out when it is cold to the touch. 6. Use of tents and hammocks at shelters is prohibited. They may not be used inside or attached to shelters. Tents may only be used within designated campsites. Hammocks may be used at campsites as long as wide or treesaver straps are used and they are set up in areas where vegetation will not be trampled. 7. Food storage: When not being consumed or transported, all food, trash, and odorous items must be suspended at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet from the nearest limb or trunk or shall be stored as otherwise designated. See Bears and You! 8. Toilet use must be at least 100 feet from a campsite or water source and out of sight of the trail, campsite, or shelter. Human feces must be buried in a hole that is 6–8 inches deep. All toilet paper, tampons, and sanitary items must be packed out. 9. All trash must be carried out. 10. All plants, wildlife, and natural and historic features are protected by law. Do not carve, deface, or cut any standing trees or shrubs. 11. Polluting park waters is prohibited; do not wash dishes or bathe with soap in a stream. Biodegradeable soap does not break down in water and is a pollutant. 12. Pets, motorized vehicles, and bicycles are not permitted in the backcountry. 13. Hunting is prohibited. 14. Feeding or harassing any wildlife is prohibited. Horse Use Horses and other pack animals (i.e., mules and llamas) are permitted in the park, but they are restricted to trails Otter Creek (10) Porters Flat (8) Engine Creek (8) Settlers Camp (8) Sugar Cove (10) Gilliland Creek (12, 4H) Cataloochee/Big Creek Area specifically designated for horse use (see map on other side). Many horse trails are very steep and narrow—a challenge for even the most experienced horse and rider. Remoteness and difficulty of access often make continual trail clearing and care impractical. Expect to encounter rugged conditions. Please report down trees or landslides to a ranger. Off-trail or cross-country use is prohibited. Horse parties may use designated campsites open to their use (see chart). Horse parties are subject to all backcountry regulations. Requirements: Horse parties must obtain a backcountry camping permit and reservation for any overnight backcountry camping. Horses must be under physical control at all times; they may not be left to water unattended; grazing is prohibited. All food for stock must be packed in, and unused food must be packed out. At designated backcountry sites where stock are permitted, the number of animals in any one party is limited to one per person plus one pack animal per person, but shall not exceed a total of ten (10) animals for the same group or the stock capacity for that site. See chart at right. 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Oconaluftee Area 44 47 48 49 50 82 83 84 85 86 88 Auto-access Horse Camp Anthony Creek Big Creek Cataloochee Round Bottom Tow String Printed by GSMA 4-2021 No. of Campsites 3 5 7 5 2 Printed on recycled paper. Bald Creek (10, 6H) Upper Ripshin (8, 6H) Jerry Flats (8, 6H) Mill Creek (12, 10H) Bear Pen Branch (8) Lower Noland Creek (Boats Only) (4) Goldmine Branch (6) Forney Creek Area Horses are not permitted within 100 feet of trail shelters or in cooking or sleeping areas of campsites. Their manure must be scattered away from the campsite. Horses must not be tied closer than 100 feet to any stream or water source. Limited auto-access horse camps provide ready access to backcountry trails from April through October. Reservations are required and may be made up to five months in advance. For reservations call 1.877.444.6777 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. eastern time or visit recreation.gov. Estes Branch (12) Georges Branch (12) Newton Bald (8, 2H) Poke Patch (6) Nettle Creek (6) Pole Road (15, 15H) Burnt Spruce (6) Bryson Place (10, 10H) Nicks Nest Branch (6) McCracken Branch (10) Bumgardner Branch (20, 4H) Noland Creek Area 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 74 75 Auto-access Horse Camps McGee Spring (12, 4H) Enloe Creek (8) Upper Chasteen (8) Cabin Flats (12, 8H) Lower Chasteen Creek (15, 6H) Deep Creek Area 46 5