Benton MacKaye Trail
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...
OpenStreetMap (curated relation)
- 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 aboveCategories 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 ↗ From the official trail guide
Water & camping178
Cosby Group Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Cheoah Point Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Smokemont Group Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Swan Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cataloochee Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cherry Acre · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Camelot · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Dream by the Stream · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Papa Bears Den · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Into Thin Ayer · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Riverdance on the Toccoa · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Ace In The Hole · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Goforth Creek Campground B · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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A Birds Eye View · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tranquility · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lance Creek Campsite · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Deepwater Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Mountain Lake Overlook · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Four Fins Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Indian Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Creekside Cove · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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3 Bears Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Fontana Hilton Trail Shelter -- Nantahala National Forest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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State Line Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Starling Skies · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Serenity Now · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Sky Bear Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Site 67 -- Goldmine Branch (GSMNP) · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Farm Bear Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Blanche Manor Yurts · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Frank Gross Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Turkey Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Big Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Panoramic Paradise · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Top of the World RV · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Group Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗ Imported route
Lake Santeelah Dispersed · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Dock Holiday House · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Indian Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Fontana Hilton Trail Shelter -- Nantahala National Forest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Indian Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Fontana Hilton Trail Shelter -- Nantahala National Forest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Mountain Tops Serenity · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Kickstand Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Amazing Grace · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cherokee National Forest Quinn Springs Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Gee Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Beavers Mountain Escape · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Creekside Haven · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Riverside · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Calderwood Lake Primitive campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Len Foote Hike Inn · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Pigeon River Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Squirrelled Away · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Bella Mountain Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tucked Away · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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The Glamp Shack · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Wolf's Den · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Thunder Rock Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Ela Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Goforth Creek Campground C · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Dream Catcher · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lonesome Dove · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Aska Bliss · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Airbear: Airstream Glamping with Hot Tub and Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Goose Island Getaway · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cable Cove Recreation Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Katahdin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Miss Celies Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cabin Sweet Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Bear Lake Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tumbling Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Faffoo Bear's Den · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Rustic Retreat · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge & Resort · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lost Creek - Cherokee NF · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Fontana Village Resort and Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Hiwassee Ocoee Scenic River State Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Rough Ridge Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Indian Rock Lake · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tumbling Waters Campground and Trout Pond · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Roosters Roost · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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My Deer Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Horse Cove · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lucille's Creekside Hideaway · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Rocky Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Falcon Expeditions - Big Creek Rustic Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Park Hollow · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cloud View · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lake Santeetlah Dispersed · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Boo Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Yogi Bear in the Smokies · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Hide Away Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Nantahala Hideaway Campground & Cabins · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Fox Fire Riverside Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Turkey Trot · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Deep Creek Campground National Park Service · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Bears Nest · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Sourwood Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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The Creekhouse · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Bear Necessities · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Black Bear Cove Resort · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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J&J's Getaway Campground & RV Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tellico River Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Big Bear's RV Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Windchime · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Horse Gap · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lights Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Peaceful View Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Jones Creek Dispersed Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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His Place · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Aska Adventure Awaits · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Mcnabb Creek Group · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Vista · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Okeana · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lost Corral Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Hide-a-way · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Laurel Creek · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Enchanted View · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Treetop Tranquility · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Bare-N-The-Woods · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Hiwassee River Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Arvinda · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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My 401 · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Rattler Ford Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Above It All · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Jordan Lodge · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Davis Branch Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Dam Creek Walk-in Campground and Picnic Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Deep Hole Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Countrygirl's RV Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tsali Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Lost Indian Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Birch Branch Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Springer Mountain Shelter · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Blue Ridge Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Mulky Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tellico River Campgrounds · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Big Creek Primitive Camping Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Prancing Elk Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Tentrr Signature Site - Hiwassee Hideout - Coleman Outfitted Site · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Cooper Creek · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Jacks River Fields Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Holder Cove Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Big Oak Cove Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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3 Little Bears Retreat · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Site 40 -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Ocoee River Area · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Donley Cabin · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Morganton Point Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Quinn Springs Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Spivey Cove Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Smoky Mountain Sky Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Shoestring Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Daffodil Hill Farm Romantic Luxury Carriage House · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Cataloochee Horse Camp - Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Source ↗ Imported route
Holly Flats · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
The Homeplace Campground and Gardens · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
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Skeenah Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
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: 2026-05-20
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.