Register / permits

[Fireplug]

I'm a year into hiking. Just retired as a firefighter in July. Can't wait to get on the trail. My question is, do I need to legally register or need permits at any point on the trail?

[Lone Wolf]

you need a permit for the Great Smoky Mtns. national park and Shenandoah national park. do not need to register anywhere

[Fireplug]

How do I go about getting them? Thanks

[GoldenBear]

You do not need a permit to HIKE in either national park. However, you must
1) obtain a PERMIT to stay in the back-country of the Great Smokey Mountains. This includes shelters, and the rules ARE enforced. Camping outside designated areas is STRICTLY prohibited.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisi...hings2know.htm
https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/
Also, you MUST obtain the permit BEFORE you enter the Park.
2) REGISTER for back-country stays when you enter Shenandoah. You can do this at the self-registration kiosk along The Trail, and simply specify that you will be staying along the A.T.
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/campbc_regs.htm
Once you register as a back-country camper, you can camp along The Trail -- at a shelter or not -- IF you follow the rules noted in the above URL.

[Fireplug]

Thanks Great info

[Traveler]

The ATC has a voluntary registration program for thru hikers that has started recently. Though voluntary you may want to look at participating in the registration process.

http://appalachiantrail.org/.../volu...r-registration

[peakbagger]

I expect that given the controversy at Baxter State Park this year that there will be more stringent process in place in 2016 to enter the park. Its not a permit as such but you currently need to register when you cross into the park if you plan to camp overnight (practically for 99% of thru hikers you need to stay at least one night). The issue is that once 10 slots are full at a designated campsite in the park you have to have made reservations previously or try to find an available campsite by calling the park which is difficult as there is no cell service nearby. The current rules and I expect any changes are well communicated for weeks in advance along the AT at shelters and hostels so this wont be a surprise.

[Traveler]

I saw a notice for BSP rules posted on the detour sign at the northern end of the Easter Mountain section of the AT at Falls Village, CT. Not sure how anyone can claim "I didn't know" given the signs are well out in front of the Park, now well south of ME.

[Fireplug]

I expect that given the controversy at Baxter State Park this year that there will be more stringent process in place in 2016 to enter the park. Its not a permit as such but you currently need to register when you cross into the park if you plan to camp overnight (practically for 99% of thru hikers you need to stay at least one night). The issue is that once 10 slots are full at a designated campsite in the park you have to have made reservations previously or try to find an available campsite by calling the park which is difficult as there is no cell service nearby. The current rules and I expect any changes are well communicated for weeks in advance along the AT at shelters and hostels so this wont be a surprise.

interesting that they won't allow you in a state park just to hike.

[egilbe]

interesting that they won't allow you in a state park just to hike.

To keep it wild and remote, the number of visitors is limited and s trictly enforced. BSP wants tp prevent it from being loved to death.

[Traveler]

interesting that they won't allow you in a state park just to hike.

State Park is a misnomer and its not part of the Maine Park system, it is a separate Authority. It is a wilderness area established by property donated to create the area from the early to mid 1900s. The Park receives no taxpayer funding and is self funding through user fees, revenues from various trusts, and forestry products harvested from the land. You can walk into the park from adjoining roads anytime, but you cannot camp or drive in without a reservation or permit.

[bill1980]

Since this has drifted into answers about Baxter, let me ask a question. If you reserve a camping spot or a shelter spot in Baxter to climb Katahdin (not coming in as a thru), does that reservation include a parking spot?

[Traveler]

Since this has drifted into answers about Baxter, let me ask a question. If you reserve a camping spot or a shelter spot in Baxter to climb Katahdin (not coming in as a thru), does that reservation include a parking spot?

I have only done that once, but with the reservation came the parking space, so unless the process has changed drastically, a reservation gets you in and into a camping spot at the place you reserved.

[bill1980]

I have only done that once, but with the reservation came the parking space, so unless the process has changed drastically, a reservation gets you in and into a camping spot at the place you reserved.

Thanks for your help, AT Traveler.

[Fireplug]

Can't you just stealth camp?

[Venchka]

Can't you just stealth camp?

Sure. Go ahead. "Just do it!"

Waynr

[coyote9]

What happened?

[MuddyWaters]

You do not need a permit to HIKE in either national park. However, you must
1) obtain a PERMIT to stay in the back-country of the Great Smokey Mountains. This includes shelters, and the rules ARE enforced. Camping outside designated areas is STRICTLY prohibited.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisi...hings2know.htm
https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/
Also, you MUST obtain the permit BEFORE you enter the Park.
2) REGISTER for back-country stays when you enter Shenandoah. You can do this at the self-registration kiosk along The Trail, and simply specify that you will be staying along the A.T.
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/campbc_regs.htm
Once you register as a back-country camper, you can camp along The Trail -- at a shelter or not -- IF you follow the rules noted in the above URL.

to expound a little, Shenandoah requires permits for camping. camping is defined as any use of sleeping gear or shelter, day or night. One of these days GSMNP will have to copy this due to people that sleep in shelters in day and hike at night to avoid permit.

[egilbe]

Can't you just stealth camp?

No. Camping anywhere other than the the designated camping spots is prohibited.

[Traveler]

Can't you just stealth camp?

If you are talking about BSP, if you are caught, you will be escorted out of the park and likely not be allowed back for a long time. National parks will issue tickets and/or summons to appear if you ignore them. If you stealth camp in places like CT or MA that require the use of designated camping areas you run the risk of the AT being closed and road walks taking you around that property owners section (in CT that would be the stretch of trail from Lions head through to Sages Ravine for example).

Bottom line is, its usually easier to play by the rules than game them. Unless there is an emergency like bad weather or injury that causes you to hunker down in place and you can't get to a designated camping area, you are better served by observing the rules of the trail where ever you are. There are many areas of the trail where one can camp and embrace LNT (sometimes termed stealth camping), which is why guide books from the AMC or Awol's Guide are important to know what the local rules and restrictions are along the trail.