Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Permit
Activity pass ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (National Park) · Open Access
- 1,457 ft
- Elevation
To qualify for a Great Smoky Mountains NP Appalachian Trail 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. Backpackers not meeting this definition should obtain a General Backcountry Permit.
You may obtain a thru-hiker permit up to 30 days in advance of the day you anticipate entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park and you must provide an estimated entry date for your permit.
Thru hikers may enter the park up to 15 days before or 15 days after their estimated date of entry, providing a 30 day window of flexibility to accommodate varying trail conditions and abilities.
Thru-hikers have 8 days/7 nights to make it through after entering the park. Trips exceeding 7 nights require an additional permit.
Each thru-hiker must obtain an individual permit. Backpackers are required to stay at designated campsites/shelters in the backcountry and all overnight stays in the backcountry require a permit.
The Great Smoky Mountains NP AT Thru-hiker Permit fee is $44.50 and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Getting there
35.68721, -83.53943 · 35°41'14.0"N 83°32'22.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 47°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 47 | 51 | 59 | 69 | 75 | 80 | 83 | 82 | 78 | 69 | 58 | 50 |
| Low °F | 27 | 29 | 35 | 42 | 51 | 59 | 63 | 62 | 56 | 44 | 34 | 29 |
| Precip in | 4.8 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.9 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Permit
- Can you reserve a site at Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Permit?
- Yes, Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Permit is reservable through Recreation.gov.
Camping near Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Permit
- Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Elkmont Campground 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- The Great Smoky Mountains Firefly Viewing Lottery 3.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Spence Cabin 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Archived Firefly Event Lottery 3.2 mi · Permit · we watch it
- Elkmont Group Camp 3.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Appalachian Clubhouse 3.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Greenbrier Picnic Pavilion 8.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag 0.1 mi · Activity pass
- Sugarlands Visitor Center 0.2 mi · Facility
- Kuwohi Visitor Center 9.3 mi · Facility
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments