Parking at Fontana Dam
I am considering a 5 day loop beginning and ending at Fontana Dam. Are there any good parking options that would not require a shuttle? Thanks.
yeah....
plenty of (generally) safe parking....
you can park at the marina......
you can park at the visitors center.........
you can park at the trailhead.........
and probably park at some of the pull outs along the road, although i have never done that.......
Are you looking for parking suggestions or hiking loop suggestions?
Because if you are looking for parking suggestions (which your question implies) and you've already decided to start and end at the dam... well where else are you going to park other than at the dam?
Of course as TNhiker points out, you can park in the Fontana Dam Visitor's Center (generally considered a very safe place to park)... or (if the dam is open) you can park at the combined trail head for the AT/Lake Shore trails.
I include "if the dam is open" because repairs to the dam frequently close the road over the dam to vehicle traffic. But they almost always leave the dam open to walk across.
If you're looking for 5 night suggestion loops...
1. Lake Short to Eagle Creek to BC97
2. Eagle Creek to AT to Mollies Ridge Shelter
3. AT to Gregory Bald to BC13
4. Gregory Bald to AT to Shuckstack Fire Tower to Lost Cove trail to BC91
5. Lost Cove and AT back to the trailhead.
I include "if the dam is open" because repairs to the dam frequently close the road over the dam to vehicle traffic.
there's also a way to get to the trailhead by vehicle if the dam is not open to traffic.........
I have left my car at the trailhead (AT/Lakeshore) parking lot for a 5 day loop before and had no problems. The lot is large enough that you shouldn't have any problems getting a spot. The road across the dam has been closed to cars in the recent past due to repair work on the dam, but it is open now.
Fontana is a great place to end a hike. The dam visitor's center has free showers at the far east end of the visitor's center building. Very helpful.
Dont understand your question.
Why in the world would you need a shuttle for a loop hike?
Fontana dam is about the best parking spot on AT. Are you just not aware that its a trailhead with parking?
Last edited by MuddyWaters; 03-28-2016 at 14:09.
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