WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-28-2016
    Location
    Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    4

    Default Parking at Big Creek Ranger Station, GSNP

    I'm planning on doing a section hike in May, ending in the smokies. Would it be safe(ish) to leave my truck at Big Creek Ranger station for a whole week?

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-25-2012
    Location
    Lurkerville, East Tn
    Age
    64
    Posts
    3,719
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Big Creek is the recommended place to leave a vehicle, but does involve about a mile of gravel roadwalk from Davenport Gap to Big Creek. Downhill, not hard.

    Davenport Gap is generally considered unsafe.

  3. #3

    Default

    What is the trip you are planning? Start and end location. If doing the AT southbound ending in that area you might as well end at Standing bear.
    If going nobo thru the smokies ending at Davenport, Big Creek is always the best suggested parking location. It is tucked back off any main roads and I have had good luck here 2 separate weekends.
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-10-2008
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Age
    42
    Posts
    398

    Default

    The trailhead for Chestnut Branch Tr is right next to the Ranger's residence --can't think of a better spot.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    05-05-2011
    Location
    state of confusion
    Posts
    9,866
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DixieUP View Post
    I'm planning on doing a section hike in May, ending in the smokies. Would it be safe(ish) to leave my truck at Big Creek Ranger station for a whole week?
    as safe as anywhere

    But the ranger station has been unmanned for a few yrs i think. Thieves and vandals dont know that

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-28-2016
    Location
    Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Thank you all for the information and advice. Much appreciated!!
    HAPPY TRAILS!

  7. #7
    Peakbagger Extraordinaire The Solemates's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2003
    Location
    Appalachian Ohio
    Posts
    4,406

    Default

    I park here all the time with no issues
    The only thing better than mountains, is mountains where you haven't been.

    amongnature.blogspot.com

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    as safe as anywhere

    But the ranger station has been unmanned for a few yrs i think. Thieves and vandals dont know that
    It's seasonal. NPS personal usually are there FT starting sometime around the first or second wk of May. I'm assuming, so not 100% sure, there are NPS employees going in and out and may be manned with a Ranger in residence into Oct. I've let a car there. It's a safe as anywhere couple of times in the last 3 yrs.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-15-2013
    Location
    Illinois
    Age
    46
    Posts
    205

    Default

    Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Do you need to make any accomodations to park here or do you simply pull up and park your car? I plan on leaving it there for a week. Thank you.

  10. #10
    GSMNP 900 Miler rmitchell's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-13-2011
    Location
    Knoxville,Tn
    Age
    68
    Posts
    511
    Images
    4

    Default

    When getting permit reservations for campsite or shelter you should list vehicle make, model, color and license plate number if staying inside national park.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-25-2012
    Location
    Lurkerville, East Tn
    Age
    64
    Posts
    3,719
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TSWisla View Post
    Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Do you need to make any accommodations to park here or do you simply pull up and park your car? I plan on leaving it there for a week. Thank you.
    We've parked there for 4-5 days at a time with no issues. I think a week would be okay. There's no requirement to register the vehicle just to park, but not a bad idea to leave contact info with the park ranger just in case. Also, like rmitchell says, if you're hiking in the park, the campsite reservation form will ask for vehicle info.

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-15-2013
    Location
    Illinois
    Age
    46
    Posts
    205

    Default

    Thank you, I will certainly list that info on the permit, but I did not know if I needed to call or reserve a parking spot in advance or anything like that.

  13. #13
    GSMNP 900 Miler
    Join Date
    02-25-2007
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4,861
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TSWisla View Post
    Thank you, I will certainly list that info on the permit, but I did not know if I needed to call or reserve a parking spot in advance or anything like that.
    No such thing as reserve parking in the national park.

    The parking lot at Big Creek Ranger Station is large enough (relative to the area's popularity) that you shouldn't have a problem getting a parking spot (might not be the case on a popular holiday weekend though). If you should be unlucky and the lot is full, there is more parking down at the trailhead for Baxter Creek Trail only 3/4 of a mile from the Ranger Station.

    Part of the reason for registering your car's make/model/license when obtaining a permit is so that if a ranger should notice you're car has been parked in some spot for a prolonged period of time, he can run the plate and know you're still in the back country.

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •