Great Smoky Mountains

5 Tr er m ay er tC am oun we Lo 1.1 M o 0.6 il e Cr il e 1.0 C a t a l o oc h e e ra l rli ng oc h t 0.8 h ug 3.5 il Parkway Ri 2. 3 Br Tr ek 40 E Exit 20 Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center Purchase Gap 0 276 1.8 Bal d Double Gap O C ATA L O CH EE E Jonath 5.5 ph an Hem C r ee k il l Polls Gap Black Camp Gap To Asheville Dellwood Maggie Valley To Asheville Soco Gap Tr ai l 2. 4 CHEROKEE INDIAN RESERVATION (Qualla Boundary) F Plott Balsam Creek WAYNESVILLE Waterrock Knob BA L SA MS ue Bl Ridge Whittier Pa 74 G rk TT wa P LO 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 g Tr Unpaved road 2.2 Ri ve Developed campground Auto-access horse camp r ta ha la Ranger station Observation tower Benton MacKaye Trail Horse and hiking trail MO 129 Roads in park are closed to commercial vehicles. TA H ALA UNT AIN S 5 6 7 8 1.3 Trail distances are shown in miles between intersections 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 R ID Tr ee ail 3.9 1.9 ee Cr e D iv ide 4.6 Tr a 0.5 3. M cK Tr 1.7 Ca Boogerman Catalo och 2.9 il ad Ro gh t rk Fo dg ee T 4.1 rail 9 3. h Li t Ga p Trail 2.5 Bi g to g Bo t 6 4. e Sna k 1.7 For Fork Tr a e Ra v e n 4.4 ast Stra i Ro 41 rk l el w .4 1 ld Balsam Mountain i Ra g ve n as m 0.5 Walnu t 1.2 Tra il 3. 3 0.6 Ba 3.1 Divide MA S 1 2. Ch Tr rk Fo Trail E G RI D il Tra ge Rid Cre 2 ek Trail Sunk o ta 0.7 3.8 2. an di 1.0 2.0 0.7 TH O Trail 3.6 Cr ee k p Dee 4.3 k p te O ld 0 1. 4. 5 Tr ai l in ta in w int er ) d IDE D IV ND A NOL Dee Tr re ek k No lan d C Cree 5 e y ch Y NE FO R 1.0 0.4 3.9 Do m 3.5 Clin gm an s il T 4. P Ro u l Cr ee k Fo 1.2 Fo ve DIV k 7.6 0.4 3.6 T e r 1.7 0.7 1.1 Forney e ac Ka y M 1.8 Huskey 2. 1 A lu m C av l ai Welc h GE RID Cr 1.3 Tr Cr Cree k H Tra il T RAIL kins Ridge JENK INS Jen 0.9 0.9 C es J ak 5 2. R I D GE C e e Ea gl 5.2 S na Creek Cove 1.4 Lu m 4.1 b Pro ng 2. 7 t E M TN BO T Tra il Trail us se 4 6. 3.1 3.7 ty 2. Tw 6 en W es Mtn Turkeypen Ridg La 3.4 Cr ee k t 3.5 ll F ie ld Road k Forge C il e Tra idg Eag l 0 1. 8.7 Trail Rd n Rich one-way 2.6 rM tn Tr yR or 1.2 Bote Mtn d Be TC HA ar re g Tr IN ne O U 4.2 Tr N TA M R Ca HE an 7 1. (closed Parson B er ) T 0.9 P s th i ll Fo o 2 k .1 Tr ai l Cr ee e M 9 0. d rk wa y ey Ro a 42 rk Fo Ri dg e 3.2 2.6 NA 40 C y Pa Spruce Mountain Trail Cove Creek Gap l d oa pp yV al l i Tra o Bi Creek LI PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST 0.8 Spruce Mountain Flat RO ai l Tr 40 ek Cataloochee Tr lls eek Cr e Cr Palmer House le g Fk hi Palmer 3 C WATERVILLE LAKE 0.8 Ha 3. Pin Oak Gap Rd CA N ot I TA E l Trai ap UN Fo S MO SE i Tra Pretty Hollow Gap e Ridg Mount Sterling Gap il Tra k un Long B 3.6 AM ES 8 aye acK ow G tty Holl 4.0 LS H 1. t Sterling T r Pre BA NN Creek T rai l ow T Round Bottom 441 FOREST 19 3 l d n Na 2 M Tra i CHEROKEE Ap NATIONAL 74 1 e xt Ba a ll Sw Fo rk Oconaluftee River Trail 1.5 441 er NANTAHALA 143 S Mount Sterling 39 lsam Mtn Tr r 1 19 28 ROBBINSVILLE NO 6. Ela 0.5 Trail Wesser NTA n ap 2.3 ek RI Skyway nic MO U Br Tr m Laurel Gap 0 n untai 1.2 Mo m lsa t Ba in w (clo sed in Oconaluftee Visitor Center S oc o 143 D B 2.1 19 Stone Pile Gap Trail LAKE IR WB Trail 5.1 4.0 74 Stecoah Gap la eroha Ch ut r Creek Tr 2.9 Cooper Creek Trail n Mount Tow String B es t ek Trail lu e Ch Cr e 4 to Ben c Bee E 2.2 p 9 R o ad Cove MOUNTAIN Waterville Big Creek 9 1. 38 M Tr RIDG Tow String Tr k Trail or 2.2 Ga 1.8 47 50 Smokemont Ri 2.8 ge 48 k Tr 36 Tr rk Bi 9 Ba H ya t t ge 5 Indian Creek Motor Trail Juney Whank Falls Trail 4. 0.9 HES Rid l Deep Creek er 2.5 In Tr 0.9 Tra i 9 op 60 2. 3. Cree en 3.6 lo e C ree k k 1.0 Mt Cammerer e ek Cr 37 1.0 .1 B o Th 1. 1.8 51 r Lo 52 e De y Fork o AIN S mokem Ri NT 59 n Newton to Bald N ew 4.7 4.9 46 plow Bradle y OU F nt ld HU G Hughes M i at tains-To-Sea PARK e te uf R iv Bradle D 58 1.5 2.3 L AN e on al En gus TE y 2.2 R I CH Oc BRYSON CITY Tuckasege Luftee Knob 44 Min Tr 54 55 56 57 Pecks Corner Tr ail Davenport Gap 2.1 o r F nte Gu 0. S SANTEETLAH e Th NORTH CAROLINA 2.3 Low Gap Tr ail 2.5 Balsam High Top 2 Drive KE 4 Mount Sequoyah Trail.8 66 Tr Cr Deep Creek Horse Trail w g Pron Kephart v ie ice Goldmine Loop 2.0 Trail ke Slu La Dr Indian Creek Falls Tra il Mount Cammerer Trail 4.1 Camel Ga p Tr ail Mount Guyot 49 ve Loop Trail e re 2.9 Gap il 3.3 o l e R oa d 1.3 2 Ro a d 2.9 Cabin Flats Trail Kephart Sm Sce TENNESSEE Exit 451 ammerer Trail t C Cosby Camel Gap Knob Ramsey Cascades ia Grassy Branch Trail 2.0 1. 67 65 G ap Kan Mo un un 2.4 2.3 2. y 2.5 Noland C 0 2.8 ail 7 n il RT Cosb a Tr 63 4.1 Tunnel Bypass Trail 0.6 1.3 5.1 Ri d g 1.5 5.1 64 oun d 1.8 n Tr Porters a Br Swea t Ne wf Martins Gap Trail 62 7.8 74 E 2.8 Ma ddron r 1.7 Icewater Spring NATIONAL Tr a 61 0. Inadu Knob Charlies Bunion Trail e e k ee Whiteoak Branch Tr 72 Fo 6. 31 Laurel Top se WILDERNESS AREA ve r 7.4 2.5 L ow G 5.3 3.7 He if e r Cr Tra il Newfound Gap 1.7 Trail DG Trail 71 1.0 a Ro de Divi RI 29 6.1 E Trail es ad 4.0 p al ac h Ap o eB 4 ul evard se clo d( rk l ne ld Mount Chapman ek 5.0 3.7 0.4 2.5 e Cosby 3.7 Th 5. Noland NO Gap ve Ri g l ra i p T 2.7 1.7 AI N U NT r Fo c Cas sey R am R iv JOYCE KILMER - SLICKROCK n Low on R id Trail ter) Tr ai 8 MO N TA I N 28 il Alum Cave Bluffs Trail 2.4 g 73 78 Cre Mount Le Conte Road LA r ra PI NN AC L ER ENBR I 34 6.6 a Ga Tr be s M o un t ai n ge Tr Ri d en D win ah MO U Trail 5.9 d Ri i Tra ghous Sprin 4.2 8.7 12.3 l ai Tr 77 0 re Trail 98 6. ar H ton 76 Ben ra Prong 0.5 81 ho ll Bu eo K 1.8 Lakes FONTANA VILLAGE ad LC WE Fontana Marina CREE Ro Tr 85 2.7 wf Cold Spring Gap 69 y ne 4. Andrews Bald 7.4 ek 70 75 FONTANA L OW ive nR p Su g e Pigeo Ga d ittl Ol ng L o ound Pr Ne 87 129 W 3.5 S p r i ng G a p Trail k 86 Fontana Dam YE L 0 1. er C H EOA H Ch e dg Ri 3.9 Cre 1.8 LA KE 4.1 il Tra ee Be High Rocks 83 84 4.5 el Ha z 88 3 Jon as k azel el 82 1. 8 az un Brushy Mo 53 68 ee Cr 89 Lakeshore ail Tr 4.4 1.9 Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail Ba Albright Grove Albright Grove Loop Trail Porters Flat 1.0 Mount Collins Clingmans Dome 5.8 Balsam Mtn Tra il Campfires Prohibited 0.5 5.9 Chimney Tops Trail 30 Double Spring 1.9 Gap Trail H Twentymile FOREST Riv Bone Valley Trail .1 35 Hen Wallow Falls Tricorner Knob Falls Trai l bo w AR S ug Chimney arlan L A N Tops D d M o u nt a i n T ek 1.1 Cre gh 8 2. en l Trai eek Cr Greenbrier Cove Mi ddle Prong Trail Brushy Mountain Grotto Falls 2.9 Ga Balsam Rainbow Falls Point d MOUNTAINS h Gos k ee Cr H ea Buckeye Gap 8 0. 90 tle k eo 32 73 33 GRE 32 e rd eya ap Gr 1.7 Trillium Ra in SUG 4.1 Pro ng Tra 4.4 il 2.4 ld 91 3.7 Tr Camp Prong 23 3.3 e re 0.6 0.4 r Silers Bald Co 0.5 NATIONAL 97 T 28 Derrick Knob 1.8 93 Cove Lost 2.7 Shuckstack SMOKY n Lyn ch a s T rd R d r 1.9 24 3.3 NORTH CAROLINA il 1.1 Trail Deals Gap TENNESSEE Thunderhead Mountain Rocky 6.2 Top ra Trail 1.9 Rid l ge Twent y mile Loop Tr Trai ile m 2.9 CALDERWOOD LAKE CHEROKEE 92 ge 5.2 lf Wo 95 8 Cold Spring Knob 113 Ri d 1. Greenbrier Ridge Trail 8.9 r ng Hu y 4.6 GREAT 21 0.8 26 2.5 2.9 n ia 96 g Lon ay -w e on 2.0 Pron g Fo -wa r k M o y Baskins Creek Trail lands Trail 3.5 Ga p Huskey Gap 27 Jakes Gap Miry er Panth 2.3 2.3 Tr ek re 2.9 il l Trai Gregory Bald A Tr Creek ar il Tra 2.0 L i tt l e Tr a Bald 1.2 Doe Knob pp d le 3.1 Ri ve r 2.4 Li t 2.4 Cu cum ber G ap Tr Ridge 13 Parson Bald 5.0 G M id 2.5 il Tra Gregory 1 e Riv er Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg Trail La 4. Mt n 0 ad Ro ) ch inter n w ra in h ac al C an 4.1 Trail Mountain igs Me Blanket Mountain itt le Tr Fighting Creek Gap 20 4.2 12 l 19 rs le tt Se P 321 C Cove Mountain Trail Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Trail Mollies Ridge Tr Spence Field i Tra 1.9 0.1 il Tra Roaring one 4 Elkmont Trail y wa R 18 8. y rr er) int e- on Russell Field 9 Cu sed (clo 10 Cr eek 1.9 Tr Tr Trail w in ree y ve k ee Cr tain 7.6 CHILHOWEE LAKE one-way 6 1.2 Rd 1.7 un 14 gs ei M .5 3 5.1 Cades Cove Visitor Center o 1. o Tra il CADES ley Fi n 2.8 1.8 Abrams Falls u r el Le a d C Wet F 4.2 alls Bottom Tr 6 Tr 3.3 441 VE Park Headquarters oa d Little River R L ms Little 2.4 Brier Gap Tr ng Pr o Abra 15 M Chilhowee e 5 on th An 16 ek tch Ha Hannah ams Cre Tra 5 . 5 il Tr bb Ra 1.9 Creek it Ab r 17 to m s Tr 2.7 Road 2. 3 ai unt 3.6 Mo ) r ve Gap Tr ot ra inteInd Sc in w 1.8 ia n G 8 0. 1.1 Crooked sed Arm (clo Rich Mtn Ridge Tr Loop Tr 2.9 2.2 Cades Cove L p Road Tr oo ap .6 bG 1 Cr i Creek r am s COVE Ab s Che Schoolhouse 1.0 Gap Trail Tr e e Middl Bo t 11 Ridge T ra er il 1.1 Little Abrams Creek er Tr OW .3 op Tr tn IL H 12 Co 8 M N 1. Ric h MT C 4.3 rail Top T t t nu CH 2 Gold Mine Trail 0.8 3 RI CH EE 5. 6 Ace GATLINBURG r O ee ek rok Cre he in Tw River N p Trail Ga O I TA UN Little Greenbrier Trail The Sinks Townsend Visitors Center Li t t le 73 Sugarlands Visitor Center ur el Little Greenbrier Falls School 3.1 Metcalf Laurel Falls Bottoms Tr 73 Townsend Ace Gap N AI NT Gatlinburg Bypass Road AR 7.5 Ro il undtop Tra C OV E OU 1 e ig VE CO 1.9 T U C K A L E E CH E E Pig SNOWBIRD 321 Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center 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 www.nps.gov for the latest closure information. M OU NTA I N Pittman Center e tur tor Na ( cl o s e d i n t le 0.4 A d se 0.4 0.3 Tr ot Pi g e er Ri v 321 M WE Ridge Den WEBB on Facility Closures a Lit e Fo o (cl s le PIGEON FORGE CO y 416 Cosby ll hi tt Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Carolina/Tennessee 0.2 es t r FOREST Ri W Wear Valley wa rk 0.4 0.3 Walland To Chattanooga e r Pa n i NATIONAL Li 321 Gab g on 321 r 1.0 441 Pr MARYVILLE Rive a nt ou 0.3 sM CHEROKEE Exit 443 r) te in w kw M 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 IN Forney Creek Trail** seven crossings TA Gunter Fork Trail** five crossingsUN O Hannah Mountain Trail** justMbefore Abrams Falls Trail Jonas Creek Trail near Forney 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 W EE O H I L Noland Creek Trail** both sides of campsite #62 CH Panther Creek Trail at Middle Prong Trail junction 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 er Tr g Pi Riv e in L i tt l a lo RI VE R le 40 Ca t E SSE NE L it t 12 321 oga Rid ge into He Road s o (cl ed in winter) N TE McGhee-Tyson Airport 11 To Newport 32 Nearly all park trails cross small streams—making very wet crossings during flooding. The following trails that cross streams with no bridges can be difficult and dangerous at flood stage. (Asterisks ** indicate the most difficult and potentially dangerous.) This list is not all-inclusive. 0.4 Great Smoky Mountains Trail Map 10 Stream Crossings 129 Look Rock $1.00 9 441 411 50036 80251 8 To Newport SEVIERVILLE 129 4 7 411 411 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 6 1.4 4 To Knoxville r 3 we 2 To Knoxville Lo 1 9 10 11 Shelter (Hiker only) Shelter (Horse and hiker) 00 Hiker only campsite 00 Horse and hiker campsite 00 Boat-in only campsite 2014 12 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 x226 or visit www.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! Cooper Road (12) Cane Creek (4) Hesse Creek (8, 2H) Rich Mountain (4, 2H) Turkeypen Ridge (8) Anthony Creek (12) Ledbetter Ridge (8) Beard Cane (6) Forge Creek (12) Sheep Pen Gap (15, 8H) Flint Gap (8) Rabbit Creek (12) Scott Gap (10) Little Bottoms (14) 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. Map Key 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 Elev. (Feet) Cades Cove Area 1 2 3 5 6 9 10 11 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 avoid bears is not to attract them to you. Keep your cooking and sleeping areas separate. Keep tents and sleeping bags free of food odors; do not store food, garbage, or other attractants (like toothpaste, soap, etc.) 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 its 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. If hiking in the high country between September and May, always carry warm clothing, including hat and gloves. Foot Wear. Truly water-proof 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. Bears and You! Bears in the park are wild, and their behavior is unpredictable. Attacks on 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! Encounters in camp. The best way to Always secure brass clip to eye bolt in bottom of tree 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 reservation and a permit. Both reservations and permits may be obtained online at www.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 Food storage cable systems are available at all backcountry sites. We recommend that you hang your entire pack in a plastic bag to protect from wildlife and rain. All odorous items must be stored on the cables when not in use. 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. For trip planning assistance, visit or call 29 31 32 33 34 35 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 back-country. 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. 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 tree saver 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 Ottercreek (10) Porters Flat (8) Injun Creek (8) Settlers Camp (8) Sugar Cove (10) Gilliland Creek (12, 4H) Cataloochee/Big Creek Area park, but they are restricted to trails 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. In campsites with no hitch posts or racks, horses must be cross-tied so that they cannot chew on or otherwise damage trees or other vegetation. Tying horses directly to trees is prohibited. 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. • Carry and use a collapsible bucket to water your horse—keep horses away from springs. • Never leave feed where wildlife can get to it—wildlife attracted to feed can come into conflict with people. • Use processed feed to eliminate introducing weed seeds into the park—hay may contain seeds of exotic plants, and some non-native plants can take over the habitat of native plants. Auto-access Horse Camps 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 www.recreation.gov. Auto-access Horse Camp Anthony Creek Big Creek Cataloochee Round Bottom Tow String Printed by GSMA 2-2014 No. of Campsites 3 5 7 5 2 Printed on recycled paper. 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Upper Walnut Bottom (20, 20H) Lower Walnut Bottom (20) Mount Sterling (12) Pretty Hollow (20, 10H) Big Hemlock (8) Caldwell Fork (12, 6H) Spruce Mountain (4) Oconaluftee Area 44 47 48 49 50 McGee Spring (12, 4H) Enloe Creek (8) Upper Chasteen (8) Cabin Flats (12, 8H) Lower Chasteen Creek (15, 6H) Deep Creek Area 46 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 Estes Branch (12) Georges Branch (12) Newton Bald (8, 2H) Poke Patch (6) Nettle Creek (6) Pole Road (15, 15H) Bur