Are dogs allowed on Benton MacKaye Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Benton MacKaye Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Benton MacKaye Trail?

Yes, Benton MacKaye Trail requires a permit. Great Smoky Mountains NP backcountry permit required for the GSMNP section. Check the managing agency's website for current permit availability, lottery windows, and any seasonal restrictions before your visit.

How difficult is Benton MacKaye Trail?

Benton MacKaye Trail is rated difficult. It is 279.6 miles long with 14,377 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

What is the best season to hike Benton MacKaye Trail?

Benton MacKaye Trail is best hiked in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Conditions vary year to year — check the trail status and weather forecast before your visit.

Is Benton MacKaye Trail suitable for kids?

Yes, Benton MacKaye Trail is considered kid-friendly. As always with children, bring water and snacks, pace yourself, and watch for weather changes and wildlife.

Regional Long TrailBMT

Benton MacKaye Trail

Route only

Route markers1
Water & camping178

Length: 279.6 mi
Thru-hike: —
Elev. gain: —
States: 3

About the route

An approximately 288-mile footpath through the southern Appalachians from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Big Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, traversing seven wilderness areas. Named for Benton MacKaye - originator of the Appalachian Trail - the BMT follows the westerly Blue Ridge route he originally envisioned.

Termini

Terminus A

Springer Mountain, GA

34.6353, -84.1742

Terminus B

Big Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

Coordinates not yet verified

Verified waypoints

179 total · filter on the map above

Categories you've hidden on the map are collapsed here too.

Route markers1

Springer Mountain (Southern Terminus) · Trailhead
Southern terminus shared with the Appalachian Trail.
Source ↗adventures_seed

Water & camping178

Round Bottom Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Cosby Group Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cheoah Point Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Smokemont Group Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Swan Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cataloochee Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cherry Acre · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Camelot · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Dream by the Stream · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Papa Bears Den · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Into Thin Ayer · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Riverdance on the Toccoa · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Ace In The Hole · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Goforth Creek Campground B · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
A Birds Eye View · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tranquility · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Lance Creek Campsite · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Deepwater Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Mountain Lake Overlook · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Four Fins Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Indian Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Creekside Cove · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
3 Bears Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Fontana Hilton Trail Shelter -- Nantahala National Forest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
State Line Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Starling Skies · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Serenity Now · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Sky Bear Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Site 67 -- Goldmine Branch (GSMNP) · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Mollies Ridge Shelter · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Farm Bear Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Blanche Manor Yurts · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Frank Gross Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Turkey Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Big Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Panoramic Paradise · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Top of the World RV · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Group Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Lake Santeelah Dispersed · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Dock Holiday House · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Indian Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Fontana Hilton Trail Shelter -- Nantahala National Forest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Indian Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Fontana Hilton Trail Shelter -- Nantahala National Forest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Mountain Tops Serenity · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Kickstand Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Amazing Grace · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cherokee National Forest Quinn Springs Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Gee Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Beavers Mountain Escape · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Creekside Haven · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Riverside · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Calderwood Lake Primitive campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Len Foote Hike Inn · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Pigeon River Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Squirrelled Away · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Bella Mountain Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tricorner Knob Shelter · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Tucked Away · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
The Glamp Shack · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Wolf's Den · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Thunder Rock Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Ela Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Goforth Creek Campground C · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cataloochee Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Dream Catcher · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Lonesome Dove · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Aska Bliss · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Airbear: Airstream Glamping with Hot Tub and Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Goose Island Getaway · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cable Cove Recreation Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Katahdin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Miss Celies Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cabin Sweet Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Bear Lake Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tumbling Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Faffoo Bear's Den · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Rustic Retreat · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge & Resort · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Lost Creek - Cherokee NF · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Fontana Village Resort and Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Hiwassee Ocoee Scenic River State Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Rough Ridge Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Indian Rock Lake · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Mount Collins · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Tumbling Waters Campground and Trout Pond · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Roosters Roost · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Big Creek Group Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
My Deer Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Horse Cove · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Lucille's Creekside Hideaway · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Rocky Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Falcon Expeditions - Big Creek Rustic Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Park Hollow · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Big Creek Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Cloud View · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Lake Santeetlah Dispersed · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Boo Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Yogi Bear in the Smokies · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Hide Away Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Nantahala Hideaway Campground & Cabins · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
#39 Pretty Hollow · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Fox Fire Riverside Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Turkey Trot · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Deep Creek Campground National Park Service · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Bears Nest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Sourwood Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
The Creekhouse · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Bear Necessities · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Black Bear Cove Resort · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
J&J's Getaway Campground & RV Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tellico River Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Big Bear's RV Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Windchime · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Horse Gap · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Lights Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Peaceful View Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Jones Creek Dispersed Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Goforth Creek Campground E · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
His Place · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Aska Adventure Awaits · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Balsam Mountain Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Mcnabb Creek Group · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Vista · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Okeana · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Lost Corral Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Hide-a-way · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Laurel Creek · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Enchanted View · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Treetop Tranquility · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Bare-N-The-Woods · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Hiwassee River Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Arvinda · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
My 401 · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Rattler Ford Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Above It All · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Jordan Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Davis Branch Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Dam Creek Walk-in Campground and Picnic Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Deep Hole Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Countrygirl's RV Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tsali Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Smokemont Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Collins Creek Picnic Pavilion · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Lost Indian Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Birch Branch Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Springer Mountain Shelter · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Davenport Shelter · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Blue Ridge Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Mulky Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tellico River Campgrounds · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tow String Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Big Creek Primitive Camping Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Prancing Elk Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Tentrr Signature Site - Hiwassee Hideout - Coleman Outfitted Site · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cooper Creek · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Jacks River Fields Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Holder Cove Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Big Oak Cove Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
3 Little Bears Retreat · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Site 40 -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Ocoee River Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Donley Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Morganton Point Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Quinn Springs Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Spivey Cove Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Smoky Mountain Sky Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Shoestring Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Daffodil Hill Farm Romantic Luxury Carriage House · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Cataloochee Horse Camp - Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗campground:mapmate_legacy
Holly Flats · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
The Homeplace Campground and Gardens · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy
Skeenah Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
campground:mapmate_legacy

What we don't yet have

We deliberately do not display water sources, resupply towns, shuttle services, or trail-side businesses on this page. Those change every season and an out-of-date pin can be a safety issue, especially on the high-desert and alpine sections of long trails. Use the trail association's published guide, FarOut, or Guthook for that level of detail; verify with rangers before relying on any cached source.

Official sources

Last verified by us: 2026-05-16

Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Reconfirm alerts, permits, and closures with the agency before you go.

Permits

Great Smoky Mountains NP backcountry permit required for the GSMNP section.

Best seasons

springsummerfallwinter

States traversed

GATNNC