Are shelters packed in the smoky mountains in the fall?

[GreenBlaze]

Thinking about hiking along the Appalachian Trail using a thru-hiker permit in October. Are the shelters usually full at this time? I'd much rather use my tent than stay in a shelter.

[MuddyWaters]

Yes. Leaf peepers. Popular hiking time.
But often some no shows that find on day 1, they cant handle it. So there may be shelter room

[Gambit McCrae]

Just a friendly reminder form the website

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Backcountry Permit

You may obtain an AT thru hiker permit through this site.
IMPORTANT! To qualify for an AT Thru-Hiker Permit, you must begin and end your hike at least 50 miles outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and only travel on the AT in the park. Hikers not meeting this definition should apply for a General Backcountry Permit
All users are strongly encouraged to read the basic permit information below before acquiring a permit.
Permits obtained through this system are issued by email. If you do not have an email address, please contact the Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297

[HooKooDooKu]

With perhaps an exception during the spring-time AT-Thru hiker bubbles, the shelters in GSMNP are pretty much hit and miss. They might be full one day, and hardly anyone show up the next. I've had a reservation for a shelter that the online reservation system showed as full before I setout on my hike, and wind up with the shelter less than 1/2 full.

[Engine]

I know the shelters in GSMNP are a mandated part of a thru hike, but God I hate those shelters. As bad as mice can be in any shelter, I've never seen them as bad anywhere else. About 10 of us fought a war with about 300 mice in the Mt. Collins shelter one night.

[MtDoraDave]

Thanksgiving week isn't too crowded... but that's because most people don't pick THAT week to hike.
I did that week a couple years ago. 2 or 3 nights, my hiking partner and I had shelters to ourselves. Other nights that week were hit and miss. The first two nights one group of college kids filled the shelters. After that, never a full shelter.

[Runsalone]

Last time I was up there was late October 2015. There was what I can only assume was a church group on the same pattern as me. They seemed to take it personal when I moved on a few miles each evening and stealthed it.

Its hard to say in the smokies what to expect from shelters. Id rather they be full myself. That way I have an excuse to actually get a good nights sleep.

[-Rush-]

I moved on a few miles each evening and stealthed it.

And this is precisely why you should always pack a shelter and some bear spray in GSMNP.

[Traffic Jam]

Last time I was up there was late October 2015. There was what I can only assume was a church group on the same pattern as me. They seemed to take it personal when I moved on a few miles each evening and stealthed it.

.

Please follow the rules. Not following the rules = more rules for those of us who do. If you can't abide, please skip the Smokies. Nothing is forcing you to take your vacation there.

[ldsailor]

Don't forget! Four spots in every large shelter in the Smokies are set aside for thru hikers. How many thru hikers do you think are in that area at the time of year you are going? I suspect most nights you will be in a shelter if you follow the rules.

[Bmelee]

Don't forget! Four spots in every large shelter in the Smokies are set aside for thru hikers. How many thru hikers do you think are in that area at the time of year you are going? I suspect most nights you will be in a shelter if you follow the rules.

Four spots are reserved in each shelter in the Smokies for thru hikers between March 15 and June 15. The rest of the year, there are no spaces reserved for thru hikers.