DO you HAVE to use shelters in GSMNP?

[earlyriser26]

I have hiked the smokies 7 times and have never seen a ranger. Most of the time I have stayed in the shelters (which I hate doing), but I always carry a tent. Even with permits the shelters are often full. People don't get permits or go off schedule. Play by the rules, but I have never hiked the park where I did not have to tent at least one night. This includes one march when there was 6 feet of snow on the ground. LW might even be tempted under those conditions. Maybe not.

[DapperD]

It's part of a quota system to limit and spread out impact of campers in the backcountry. In very high-use areas, the best thing to do is have a hardened site (a shelter is about as hardened as it gets) to limit the trampling of vegetation and packing down of the soil. It also limits how many people are supposed to be spending the night in the area to, for instance, 20, if that's what the shelter will hold.

I believe this is the main reason but I was also thinking that the bear population possibly could be a factor also; as I understand it some of the shelters having fencing to ward off the bears, so I was considering this as an additional possibility also.

[SGT Rock]

I believe this is the main reason but I was also thinking that the bear population possibly could be a factor also; as I understand it some of the shelters having fencing to ward off the bears, so I was considering this as an additional possibility also.

They have been removing the cages over the last few years. I think Davenport Gap Shelter is the only one left on the AT with a cage and Laurel Gap Shelter on the BMT are the only ones left with a cage.

[cfrew]

Anyone frequent the trail in late June? Should I expect to have overcrowded shelters?

[SGT Rock]

I doubt it, but it is possible during the weekends.

[cevans]

If the shelters are full,,,and I have a permit, for me and my GF, would we get into trouble for pitching a tent at the shelter?

[SGT Rock]

Only if a ranger showed up.

[sidebackside]

Only if a ranger showed up.

SGT's right, only if a ranger showed up. I saw a post earlier in the thread by someone who said they had never seen a ranger in the Smokies. I myself, have seen several of them show up at shelters to check permits. I would say it's a "hit or miss" kinda thing. Probably, more of a miss.

[sidebackside]

If the shelters are full,,,and I have a permit, for me and my GF, would we get into trouble for pitching a tent at the shelter?

Got to thinking...if you had a permit...and the shelters were full....then more than likely someone would be there that's not suppose to be.

[max patch]

If the shelters are full,,,and I have a permit, for me and my GF, would we get into trouble for pitching a tent at the shelter?

If the shelter is full -- then someone is there without a permit -- then no problems for you if you tent within sight of the shelter. Don't hike a few miles away and use "shelter full" as your excuse.

Rangers are few and far between, however, if they catch someone camping/sheltering without the proper permit they are subject to a fine. I've seen it happen.

[SGT Rock]

They are right. The shelter system is designed to prevent this from happening. But it still does sometimes - especially in thru-hiker season. The official answer is you should get your spots and one (or two in your case) of the the thru-hikers should leave the shelter. In my experience it is better for group harmony to just set up outside the shelter instead of playing "Survivor" to see who leaves the island.

[Joey]

Got checked a few years ago on Eagle Creek at #90. He snuck in by boat and had a partner. There was a HUGE group of college kids renegade camping with dogs on the edge of the creek. Well he checked my fishing license, backcountrypermit, my trout I had caught. Then he went to the college camp. Well need less to say, they were written numerous citations, and escorted from the campsite. My only wish was that he should have locked a few of them up for their disrespect to the wilderness and trashing the campsite. But he nailed them with tickets.

[waasj]

I wound up at Mollies early and pushed in Spence Field with no issues. They are trying to keep track of people in the park and minimize impact. The shelters are generaly well kept. Left a couple of beverages in the spring at 113 under big boulder downstream of spring, might still be there. Wouldn't recommend going without some form of shelter Just In Case. Tarptents are only about 1 pound and not too crazy expensive.