Your favorite campsite in GSMNP

[Ramble~On]

I like to watch the sunrise and the sunset in the park...I like to photograph wildlife too...sometimes (while backpacking) I will hike to a spot that I feel will be good to view and photograph the sunset or sunrise.
Often I'll get to these locations with a good amount of time before the sunrises so that I don't miss anything or the early wildlife. Sometimes I'll even go so far as to conceal myself from the wildlife in a blind (a tent works great) and I'll wait for the light to be just right to get the chance wildlife shot with my camera... sometimes....I fall asleep while waiting....but I'm not camping! I'm waiting.
I often hike to get away from civilization and people so I tend to avoid them while in the GSMNP and other places..Rangers included.
A stealthy photographer often wiitnesses things that others don't get to see. The GSMNP has a wonderful system of shelters and backcountry campsites and strict rules for camping overnight inside the park...kind of like the AMC further north...where I like to take pictures too.

[Egads]

Sheep Pen gap, campsite #13 just off Gregory Bald.

Is this campsite dry? The map does not show any streams nearby.

[Rcarver]

It has a pretty reliable spring on the Gregory Bald trail, about 50 yards from the campsite. I was there in October and it was flowing pretty good.

[Marta]

The spring was flowing pretty well over Thanksgiving weekend, too. Of course, it rained half the weekend...

[maxpatch67]

Mt. Sterling is the best official one. There is a super nice spot aways East of Charlies Bunion also.

[Rambler]

I spent 10 days in the Park one August couple years ago. I had sent in my itinerary had no trouble getting the permits. Often was at the tentsites alone. Never saw any rangers. Was never asked for my permit. Along the AT, never had more than 4 in any shelter.

[SGT Rock]

Mt. Sterling is the best official one. There is a super nice spot aways East of Charlies Bunion also.

I agree with this. I just wish I had actually camped there. Next time I will do that instead of that stupid shelter.

[sbennett]

Mt. Sterling for sure...the real question is how far up the rickity old firetower do you care to venture.

[Mocs123]

Why does everyone like Mt Sterling so much? The fire tower is great, but the campsite is small and rocky.

[Rcarver]

One reason I like it is that it the highest legal tent site in the park. It's still cool there even on the hottest August day. And even with the spring being a good walk from the site, I have never seen nor heard of it going dry.

[SGT Rock]

Why does everyone like Mt Sterling so much? The fire tower is great, but the campsite is small and rocky.

Cause if you have a hammock you don't care about those rocks.

[sbennett]

The reason I like the site is because the view is absolutely superb from the top of Mt. Sterling and it's always cool in temperature way up there. It's also a good site to use if you're doing a loop hike (combining the Big Creek trail among others) or if you want to do a 20 mile out and back (leaving from Pen Hollow Gap).

The rocks aren't bad if you look around the site a bit (i.e. down from the summit a bit there are some grassy flat spots for tents).

[maxpatch67]

Near Charlies Bunion. Sunsets and sunrises...stars galore.