Way back in 1970 there were 21 - 23 shelters
for hikers still in use in the Smokies. These days (2008) the number is down to 15. The three-sided shelter
style in the Smokies dates back to their debut in the 1950's and hasn't changed much in 50 years.
One still finds only the most primitive of conditions in Smokies shelters--namely
an open front structure with roof, fireplace and hard wooden platforms for sleeping. Most shelters can accommodate
up to 12 hikers but that is only for sleeping. Common areas for other activities (cooking, rearranging pack contents,
changing clothes, etc.) are extremely limited in size and during the busy season, shelter visitors will find themselves
shoulder-to-shoulder (or worse) with their shelter-mates.
Most shelters in the Smokies are along the AT.
Only three shelters (Mt. LeConte, Kephart and Laurel Gap) are not along the AT. All are extremely popular and require
advance reservations for an overnight stay.
Only a Memory
Old-timers might be surprised to read that the following shelters are no longer to be found
in the Smokies: False Gap, Birch Springs, Rich Mountain, Moore Spring and Scott Gap. Also, there once were
two shelters at both Tricorner Knob and Icewater Springs--now there's only one at each location. At least two of these
old shelters had dated back to pre-park days.
Old-style Double Springs Gap Shelter
"Bear Fences" are Gone!
Another change that will surprise many people is that most shelters have been renovated (renovations
started in 1997 with Davenport Gap) and the old chain link fence fronts have been removed from all the renovated
shelters (except for Davenport Gap). The most recent renovation (Sept 2008) was the Double Springs Gap shelter.
The work was done mostly by volunteers and the cost covered in part by a $10,000 grant from the Richard Haiman National Park
Foundation. Read more about this latest renovation in a knoxnews.com article by Morgan Simmons Helping hikers' havens: Volunteers improve Appalachian Trail shelters. Shelters yet to be renovated as of this writing include: Russell Field, Mt. Collins and Laurel Gap.
Showers and Flush Toilets? You've Got to be Kidding!
Primitive living is the operative word when camping in the Smokies and shelter life is no
different. The only exception is that some of the shelters have a composting pit-style toilet. There is no
running water at any of the shelters in the Smokies (except during a hard rain!).
