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 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-17-2018
    Location
    Grandview, Texas
    Posts
    14

    Default Parking at Fontana Dam Visitor Center

    I have heard that it’s safe to leave a car here for 3 weeks, anyone have experience with parking at Fontana, thanks so much.

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-01-2011
    Location
    Hendricks Cty, Indiana
    Age
    69
    Posts
    1,005

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vickietyer View Post
    I have heard that it’s safe to leave a car here for 3 weeks, anyone have experience with parking at Fontana, thanks so much.
    I have parked there for 5-7 days on 2 different occasions, no problems.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-19-2005
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    3,715
    Images
    3

    Default

    i've only parked there for 2 or so days and it's been safe...

    you might wanna call down there to the VC and ask about 3 weeks....

    just in case so you don't get towed or anything like that....

    it's been a while since i've been down there but i think they have designated spots for hiker parking........at least at the VC...

    i have also parked at the AT trail head (a mile from the VC) and up near the marina........

    all three spots have been fine for me for weekend or a long weekend.....

    and fwiw.....there (or at least there was a few years ago) showers a the VC.....

    people often mistake them for the bathrooms but once they see someone nekkid in there---they quickly go away...

    the bathrooms are on the inner side facing the VC......

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    07-02-2016
    Location
    Townsend, TN
    Age
    63
    Posts
    55

    Default

    Agree that it is a safe place to park. TVA has announced that the Fontana Visitor Center will not open as scheduled this year due to COVID-19, so a phone call to the center would most likely not be answered.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-19-2005
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    3,715
    Images
    3

    Default

    oh, i also meant to put in my reply, that TVA police does patrol that area sorta frequently (at least they did a few years ago)........

    so that helps keep some of the crime down...

    however, just like any other place, anything could happen......

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-19-2005
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    3,715
    Images
    3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bmelee View Post
    Agree that it is a safe place to park. TVA has announced that the Fontana Visitor Center will not open as scheduled this year due to COVID-19, so a phone call to the center would most likely not be answered.



    might be able to call the marina or the resort.......

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-14-2019
    Location
    Ann Arbor, Michigan
    Age
    25
    Posts
    3

    Default

    I would that it is best to ask about leaving a car there for that long. Also be advised that the last time I was there cell reception was dreadful and the VC was closed. I have Verizon and my friends had AT&T we spent 2 hours wandering around there in February of 2020 trying to get a good signal to call a ride.

  8. #8
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    I've been told it's the safest place to park on the AT. Supposedly - I do not know if this is true - the dam is considered a terrorist target and is patrolled not only by county and state LEO but also by Homeland Security and the feds.

    I've left my car there for a few weeks multiple times.

  9. #9
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    Park in the upper lot.

++ 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
  •