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Outdoor Recreation Participation Report: Camping and Backpacking Continues to Decline

Friday, July 25, 2014

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The Outdoor Foundation is reporting that a record number of Americans participated in at least one outdoor activity in 2013, with nearly 50% of all Americans ages six and older taking part in at least one of the 43 outdoor activities, according to the latest Outdoor Recreation Participation Report. That percentage equates to 142.6 million American outdoor participants. Although the number of participants rose, the percentage of participants fell slightly from 49.4% in 2012 to 49.2% in 2013, due to population increase.

Compared to 2012, participation in outdoor activities increased or remained flat among youth and young adults - signaling a positive trend in America's inactivity crisis. The participation rate among children ages six to 12 rose one percentage point to 64%. Participation among young adults ages 18 to 24 also rose one point to 58%, while hard-to-reach adolescents, ages 13 to 17, remained flat at 60%.

Below are a few stats of interest:

* Participation in day hiking remained relatively flat again for the second year in a row. However, the latest figures don't reflect the strong growth in the outdoor pursuit in recent years. Compared to 2006 (the first year of the study), hiking is up 15.1%. Compared to 2010, participation in hiking has increased by 5.8%.

* Though backpacking has seen an increase in the number of participants over each of the last 2 years, the average number of outings per backpacker has dropped off sharply. As a result, backpacking has dropped out of the top 5 favorite outdoor activities for adults (ages 25+), based on the frequency of activity.

* Camping (within a 1/4 mile of a vehicle or home) continues to decline: down 11% when compared to 2011, and down almost 18% since 2006.

* Participation in adventure racing and triathlons saw the largest increases over the past three years. Adventure racing increased by 28%, while off-road triathlons increased by 25% and road triathlons increased by 10%.

In 2013, the top 5 most popular outdoor activities for adults (ages 25+), based on participation rates were:

1. Running, Jogging and Trail Running - 16.2% of adults
2. Fishing - 14.8% of adults
3. Bicycling (Road, Mountain and BMX) - 13.1% of adults
4. Hiking - 11.4% of adults
5. Camping (Car, Backyard and RV) - 10.6% of adults

The top 5 favorite outdoor activities for adults (ages 25+), based on frequency of activity were:

1. Running, Jogging and Trail Running - 81.4 average outings per runner
2. Bicycling (Road, Mountain and BMX) - 51.7 average outings per cyclist
3. Birdwatching - 37.7 average outings per birdwatcher
4. Wildlife Viewing - 25.2 average outings per viewer
5. Hunting - 24.2 average outings per hunter

The report is based on online and household surveys of more than 19,000 Americans ages six and older, and covers 43 different outdoor activities, making it the largest survey of its kind. To download a complete copy of the 2014 Outdoor Recreation Topline Participation Report, visit The Outdoor Foundation website.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Big South Fork Celebrates National Park Week With Free Camping

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be observing National Park Week from Saturday, April 19, through Sunday, April 27. Everyone is invited to celebrate all that America's more than 400 national parks have to offer with the theme "National Park Week: Go Wild!"

National Park Week will kick off with free backcountry camping permits as well as free camping at Alum Ford Campground for Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20. Then join the park for the 14th Annual Spring Planting Day as well as National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 26, with activities taking place at Bandy Creek.

From diverse wildlife and iconic landscapes to vibrant culture and rich history, our National Park System has something for everyone. For more information on the BSF, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Are Backpackers Boycotting the Smokies?

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

17 comments
Are backpackers boycotting the Smokies? Based on the number of backcountry overnight stays for 2013, I think you can say something definitely is going on.

Two weeks ago I reported that visitation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was down 6.7% in 2013. Earlier this week, one of the commentors on that posting asked about backcountry overnight stays in light of the new backcountry fees that were implemented back in February. If not familiar with this decision, suffice it to say that it's been an extremely controversial topic within the backpacking community since the fees were first proposed back in 2011.

In light of this controversy, I thought Tom's question was a valid one. Essentially: have the fees had an impact on backcountry overnight stays in the Smokies? It appears the answer to that question is yes. In 2013 there were only 62,863 backcountry overnight stays - a whopping 25.4% decline from the prior year. When compared to 2011, those same numbers are down 30.5%!

However, as with all statistics, you need to take into account a few caveats:

* The park was shutdown for 2 weeks during October due to the Federal Government shutdown. No doubt this impacted the numbers. For the sake of argument, since overall park visitation was down 6.7% in 2013, I think we can safely assume that backcountry overnight stays were also down by 6.7% - mainly due to the government shutdown. Roughly speaking, that would've added about 5012 additional backcountry nights, meaning, if there wasn't a government shutdown, total backcountry overnight stays would've been around 67,875 (I used the average for the 2000-2010 time frame as my baseline).

* There was a sharp increase in backcountry overnight stays in 2011 and 2012 when compared to the prior decade. Was this in response to the proposed fees? In other words, were backpackers getting out into the park while it was still free? I think it's very possible that some of that may have been going on.

Taking those two caveats into account, it's still obvious that backcountry overnight stays were negatively impacted in 2013. If we look at the trends (below) for the years prior to 2011, the average number of backcountry overnight stays was roughly 74,800. If we adjust the 2013 figures for the government shutdown, and use the 67,875 number instead, you could argue that backcountry overnight stays were off about 9.3% when compared to the long term trend. Moreover, that number is still the lowest figure over the last 13 years. It will be quite interesting to see what happens over the course of 2014.





Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Smokies Announces Implementation of Backcountry Camping Changes

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

16 comments
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced today that changes to its current backcountry reservation and permitting process will take effect on February 13, 2013. As reported last March, the National Park Service approved the park's proposal to begin collecting fees for use of the park's backcountry campsites and shelters. The changes include a $4 per person, per night fee for backcountry camping. The fee will be used to provide increased customer service for backcountry trip planning, reservations, permits and the backcountry experience.

A park-specific reservation and permit system, to which users will have 24/7 access, will allow backcountry campers to make reservations and obtain permits online from anywhere internet access is available. Reservations may be made at any time up to 30 days in advance, allowing maximum flexibility for those making last minute plans. Backcountry users will no longer be required to call the Backcountry Office to obtain reservations. Reservation and permit requests will also be accepted in person at the Backcountry Office, which is located at the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Backcountry Office hours will be expanded with additional staff available to provide trip planning assistance both over the phone and in person. In addition, the park will expand its backcountry Ranger presence to better protect park resources through enforcement of food storage and other regulations and improved visitor education regarding Leave-No-Trace principles.

For more information about the changes, please visit the management page or call the park's Public Information Office at 865-436-1207. For general backcountry information or backcountry reservations, call the Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297. On February 13, backcountry reservations and permits will be available at www.smokiespermits.nps.gov.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Should we be concerned about the decline in backpacking?

Monday, August 6, 2012

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The other day I stumbled upon a posting in a blog called Early Warning, which lamented the decline of backpacking. In the posting the author, Stuart Staniford, created a graph of "Back Country Overnights" using data from the National Park Service (from 1979 to 2011). Staniford states that this data "seems likely to be a decent proxy for overall backpacking levels". Here's a look at his graph:

Staniford makes an interesting observation about the data:

"backpacking is a very cheap way to vacation, and it appears that there is something of a tendency for it to increase during and following recessions (grey boxes), and decline during booms."

However, it was Staniford's conclusion that caught my attention: "Whatever the cause, it's a worrying trend for those of us who care about the natural world".

My first problem with the analysis was that he was using data only from the National Park Service, which only covers National Park units, but doesn't include Wilderness Areas, National Forests, National Monuments, BLM lands, State Parks, and other forested areas. My thought was that this slice of data was too narrow to get a true representative picture of backpacking. So I turned to the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) which publishes the Outdoor Recreation Participation Study on an annual basis. The study looks at participation rates among a variety of outdoor pursuits. Unfortunately the study only goes back to 2006. Moreover, the trends for that time period are very similar to what the NPS is reporting.

According to the latest Outdoor Recreation Participation Study, participation in backpacking was virtually flat when comparing 2011 to 2006. Camping in general fell roughly 7.6% during that same time period.

However, I don't think Mr. Staniford has much to worry about in terms of people enjoying the great outdoors. Participation in day hiking has jumped 15.5% over the last 5 years. Moreover, there are almost 5 times as many people that report participation in hiking as compared to backpacking. All this bodes extremely well for those of us that wish to see continuing support for our wilderness areas.

The latest OIA report also shows that participation in canoeing has increased 6.9% between 2006 and 2011. Trail running increased by 23%, mountaineering increased by 2%, rafting increased by 5.9%, and recreational kayaking actually doubled in that same time frame.

Maybe the takeaway from all this data is that people are enjoying the outdoors more, and are enjoying it in a broader array of recreational pursuits, but prefer the creature comforts of civilization at the end of the day.

To read the entire Early Warning posting, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Participation in Outdoor Recreation Reaches Highest Level in Five Years

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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In 2011, more Americans participated in outdoor recreation activities than in the past five years – perhaps signaling a move toward healthier, active lifestyles. More than 141 million Americans, or 49.4 percent of the U.S. population, participated in outdoor activities last year – reflecting an increase of three million people compared to 2010 and continuing a five-year trend. In addition, Americans made a total of 11.6 billion outdoor outings in 2011, which is 1.5 billion more than the previous year. Annually, participants averaged 82 outdoor outings – from hiking to biking, skiing to paddling. The findings are part of the 2012 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report, the leading report tracking outdoor participation trends in United States published by The Outdoor Foundation.

The research shows increases in youth and young adult participation – continuing an encouraging, yet modest, trend over the last few years. The study found that outdoor participation increased by one-percentage in every age bracket, 6 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18 to 24 respectively. This accounted for more than four billion outdoor outings for the younger generation with an annual average of nearly 90 outdoor outings. While encouraging, these rates are significantly lower than those recorded in 2006. For example, 63 percent of youth ages 6 to 12 participated in outdoor recreation in 2011, compared to 78% in 2006.

The most popular activities among young people, in terms of overall participation, continued to be running, biking, camping (20.6%), fishing and hiking (12.9%). Skateboarding, triathlons and bird-watching were among their top five favorite activities as measured by frequency.

Interestingly, adults share a passion for similar recreational pursuits. The following are the participation rates for the top 5 outdoor activities among adults older than 25:

1. Fishing (15.1%)
2. Running/Jogging/Trail Running (14.8%)
3. Camping (12.7%)
4. Bicycling (12.4%)
5. Hiking (11.8%)

In terms of growth over the prior year, hiking ranked 10th among all outdoor activities, which reported a 6% increase over the prior year. Kayaking, which ranked 1st, jumped 27% over 2010. Another interesting statistic occurred in backpacking. The activity seemed to be going through a revival of sorts between 2008 and 2010, but dropped off sharply in 2011.

Published annually by The Outdoor Foundation with research support from the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University, the 2012 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report is derived from almost 40,000 online interviews conducted in January 2012/early February 2012. Respondents came from a nationwide sample of individuals and households from the U.S. Online Panel operated by Synovate. Over-sampling of ethnic groups took place to boost response from typically under-responding groups.

The 2012 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report is available here. According to the press release, detailed information concerning all the trends in the 2012 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report will be released soon.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Smokies Backcountry Camping Fee Approved

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

1 comment
Well this will surely cause a stir - given the ferocious opposition to the original proposal:

Great Smoky Mountains Superintendent Dale A. Ditmanson has announced today that the Park's proposal to begin collecting for the use of the Park's backcountry campsites and shelters has been approved by the National Park Service. This approval clears the way for the Park to move forward with developing an online system to collect fees beginning in 2013 for reserving and use of the Park's backcountry by overnight hikers and equestrians.

The Park developed the plan in order to improve its trip-planning and reservation services to users and to expand its backcountry Ranger presence to better protect park resources through enforcement of food-storage and other regulations and improved visitor education regarding Leave-No-Trace principles.

The proposal was open for public comment last summer and some 230 written comments and two petitions were received during the comment period. According to Ditmanson, the public comments provided a great deal of constructive input on the concerns Park backcountry users had about the fee plan. "Many commenters were under the misconception that the Smokies is legally prohibited from charging user fees. The Park is prohibited from charging a toll or license fee from motorists crossing Park roads, by language in a 1951 deed under which the ownership of some park roads was transferred from the State of Tennessee to the National Park Service. But, we have long been authorized to collect user fees for specific activities such as front country camping, weddings, and commercial filming."

"There was also a significant amount of concern about our initial plan to utilize the same computerized federal reservation system, www.recreation.gov that virtually all national parks use to reserve drive-in sites in front country campgrounds. We acknowledge that some of the policies, such as the lead time for making reservations and cancellations, are not a good fit for more spontaneous backcountry users. We will not use that system unless we are convinced that it can provide the level of service we want to offer, and are exploring the alternative of developing a stand-alone software program tailored specifically to the Smokies. The system developed will also need to be practicable for Appalachian Trail thru hikers whose itineraries evolve from day-to-day."

"Concern was also raised about the range of fee amounts that were under consideration and that the resulting revenues may be diverted to other programs. We have decided to focus our plans around the lowest and simplest of the fees under study: $4 per night per person. Most importantly, 100% of the revenue from this program will be invested in improving back-country services through extended hours of the back-country office, trip-planning assistance, on-line reservations, and protection of park resources through increased ranger staff. "

Now that the proposal has been approved, Park managers plan to provide periodic updates as plans for the reservation system evolve.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Introducing the Hexa Pot

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

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On the surface this sounds like a great idea. The yet to be formerly launched Hexa Pot is a single-use outdoor cookware pot formed from an ultra-light, 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly paper material to be used for picnics, camping, backpacking, and traveling.

The Hexa Pot can be used for boiling water, or for cooking meals such as pasta, soup, chili and ramen noodles. The disposable pots may also come in handy in the event of an emergency situation when sterilizing and disinfecting contaminated water is necessary for making it drinkable.

Energia USA, the manufacturer of Hexa Pot, pitches these selling points on its website:

Hexa Pot can be a blessing on your hands due to it being a single use product, no dish washing is required. You can save time, water, electricity, and money spent on dish washing detergent. Ultra-light and convenient when carried around. It helps save space and time when on the go for outdoor activities. Safe alternative cookware when compared to your traditional stainless steel pots and pans that may produce harmful health effects caused from iron, nickel and chromium.

The Hexa Pot will biodegrade within 24-36 months, when disposed in the right environment. I take this to mean not in a hole dug next to your campsite, or thrown into a fire. So how many people will actually take it home with them?

Right now Energia USA is trying to raise $25,000 by Friday, January 27th, through a Kickstarter Campaign in order to help launch this project.

The Los Angeles based company will also unveil its products at the ASD Las Vegas on March 25-28, 2012.

Here's a short product demo from the manufacturer:




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Backpacking in the Linville Gorge

Friday, September 23, 2011

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Good video by Garrett Jones showing highlights from his 3-day, 25-mile backpacking trip in the Linville Gorge Wilderness:



Linville Gorge, NC 2010 from Garrett Jones on Vimeo.







Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Trail Dames Summit 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

1 comment
Trail Dames, a "hiking club for women of a curvy nature," will be holding its first annual Hiking and Backpacking Conference for Women next month.

Summit 2011 will feature classes on all aspects of hiking and backpacking, lectures and slide shows featuring women that have hiked all over the world, panel discussions focusing on the challenges that women in the outdoors face today, as well as many other special features.

This is a great opportunity for women to not only learn, but to commune with others that share their love of the outdoors. Trail Dames hopes that you will leave inspired, fullfilled and ready to hit the trail.

The Summit will be held on June 24-26, 2011, at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. For more information, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Hiking and backpacking in the Red River Gorge

Thursday, May 12, 2011

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“The amount of use in the Red per square foot far exceeds most other national forest units and is actually on par with most national park units,” says Charlie Rowe, a forest service ranger who leads a volunteer maintenance crew inside the Red.

Last week I posted a blog about our recent hike along the Auxier Ridge Trail in the Red River Gorge. Coincidentally, in the latest issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, is a feature article about the Gorge, The mag provides a good overview of the national geological area in eastern Kentucky, and includes recommendations for day hiking and backpacking to some of the best destinations in the Red.

I thought the quote from the article (italicized above) offered a pretty interesting stat that I had never heard. The statistic is even more amazing when you consider that the Gorge was almost destroyed by the Army Corp of Engineers in the early 1960s. In order to stop the periodic flooding of towns downstream, the Corp proposed to build a dam that would've transformed the Gorge into a large lake. The battle to "Save the Red River Gorge" lasted for decades, and included a Dam Protest Hike on November 18, 1967. Participating in this hike was Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, which helped to draw national attention to the situation.

The battle to save the Gorge was effectively won when the Red River was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River on December 3, 1993.

You can read the full BRO article by clicking here.

For more information about the Gorge, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Shortage of Freeze Dried Camp Food This Summer

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

5 comments
Steven over at My Life Outdoors posted a report yesterday, that as a result of economic times and natural disasters, makers of freeze dried foods, like Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry, are currently experiencing shortages due to high demand. The shortages, according to his report, are likely to persist through the summer hiking season.

Steven even went so far as to check in with his local Mountain House retailer in Midland, Texas, and found the shelves bare.

But backpackers and campers don't despair, it looks like both REI and Amazonstill have plenty of freeze dried meals from which to choose from.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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8 Perfect Weekend Trails

Sunday, April 10, 2011

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The April edition of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, published earlier in the week, includes a list of eight weekend backpacking trips for those looking for new territory to explore in the Southern and Central Appalachians.

Most of the hikes laid out in the article are 2-3 days long, but there are a couple that will keep you out with mother nature for even longer. The list includes the following hikes:

* Wild Oak Trail in the George Washington National Forest

* Iron Mountain Trail in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

* North Fork Mountain Trail near the Virginia-West Virginia border

* Laurel Highlands Trail in Pennsylvania

* John Muir National Recreation Trail in Eastern Tennessee

* Tanawha Trail near Grandfather Mountain

* Fires Creek Rim Trail in the Nantahala National Forest

* Art Loeb Trail in the Pisgah National Forest

For more details on each of these hikes, trip itineraries, and to read the article, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Winter Mountaineering School

Saturday, October 30, 2010

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If you're looking to expand your winter hiking, backpacking and mountaineering skills, or possibly looking for an alternative vacation this coming winter, you may want to note that the Adirondack Mountain Club has just published the dates for this years' Winter Mountaineering School.

For more than 50 years the Adirondack Mountain Club has hosted the annual Winter Mountaineering School near Lake Placid, New York. They typically cover the following areas of instruction:

* Winter backpacking skills
* Snowshoe, crampon and ice axe techniques
* Proper clothing and temperature management
* Steep snow and ice travel
* Safe above-treeline travel under winter conditions
* On- and off-trail navigation; map and compass review
* Trip planning
* How to pack a winter backpack
* Group gear review
* Hydration and nutrition
* Constructing snow shelters and a winter backcountry kitchen
* Wilderness first aid
* Avalanche awareness
* Decision making and risk management
* Winter "Leave No Trace" principals

Past participants have included three season hikers and backpackers looking to expand their winter skills, as well as more experienced skiers, trip leaders and winter mountaineers who are wishing to refine their skills or are looking for some excitement and adventure. The organization has an experienced, all-volunteer staff, with a low student-to-instructor ratio.

They offer weekend day hikes, weekend backpacking, and weeklong backpacking options from January 28 through February 3, 2011. The deadline for registration is January 15 , 2011. You may also want to note that space is limited, so it might be a good idea to register quickly.

For more information, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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New Outdoor Gear Partnerships

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

1 comment
HikingintheSmokys.com is proud to announce a brand new partnership with Altrec Outdoors and Backcountry.com in order to provide you with all the latest and greatest hiking and outdoor gear.

I think you’ll find shopping for gear and clothing from HikingintheSmokys.com to be much easier now. In addition to far better navigation tools, you’ll find a much wider selection of the best gear from the top brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Black Diamond, Petzl, Mountain Hardwear, Arc'teryx, Nike, Outdoor Research and more – at very competitive prices.

Bargain shoppers should note that both sites have “Outlet Stores” that sell overstock, closeouts, and items from last year at even much lower prices.

In addition to hiking gear, you can find backpacking, mountaineering and camping equipment, as well as gear for a variety of other outdoor pursuits.

Of course you can still find a wide selection of books and maps related to the Smokies and the surrounding Southern Appalachian region from our Amazon Affiliate program.

Anything you purchase through this website helps support HikingintheSmokys.com so that we can continue to provide you with free trail information as well as the latest news on what’s going on in the Great Smoky Mountains and beyond.

You can visit our store by clicking here, or, to go directly to one of our new partners, you can just click on one of the following logos:






Thanks again!

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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How To Bake Cake...In An Orange

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

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Yesterday I posted Backpacker Magazine's list of cocktails for the trail. Now they show you how to make a fresh cake - with an orange.

Here's the "Trail Chef" video to explain how this is done:





Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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Cocktails for the trail

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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If you're going to be backpacking over New Years, Backpacker Magazine has a list of cocktail recipes to help ring in the new year. Who says you can't join in with the rest of the world as 2009 fades into history.

Many of the drinks require fresh snow, and in one case, hailstones?!?!

1. Mountain Margarita
2. Watermelon Snowfield
3. Bikini Sunburn
4. Mountain Storm
5. Snake in the Grass
6. Blackberry Margarita
7. Backcountry Mai Tai
8. Goodnight Kiss
9. Wilderness White Russian
10. Under the Sleeping Bag

Please click here to see the recipes.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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Winter Mountaineering School

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

3 comments
If you're looking to expand your winter hiking, backpacking and mountaineering skills, or possibly looking for an alternative vacation this coming winter, you may want to check out the Adirondack Mountain Club's Winter Mountaineering School this year.

Each year, the Adirondack Mountain Club hosts its annual Winter Mountaineering School near Lake Placid, New York. They typically cover the following areas of instruction:

* Winter backpacking skills
* Snowshoe, crampon and ice axe techniques
* Proper clothing and temperature management
* Steep snow and ice travel
* Safe above-treeline travel under winter conditions
* On- and off-trail navigation; map and compass review
* Trip planning
* How to pack a winter backpack
* Group gear review
* Hydration and nutrition
* Constructing snow shelters and a winter backcountry kitchen
* Wilderness first aid
* Avalanche awareness
* Decision making and risk management
* Winter "Leave No Trace" principals

Past participants have included three season hikers and backpackers looking to expand their winter skills, as well as more experienced skiers, trip leaders and winter mountaineers who are wishing to refine their skills or are looking for some excitement and adventure. The organization has an experienced, all-volunteer staff, with a low student-to-instructor ratio. They offer weekend day hikes, weekend backpacking, and weeklong backpacking options from January 29 through February 4, 2010.

The ADK Winter Mountaineering School is non-profit group that has been sponsored for over 50 years by the Adirondack Mountain Club. The purpose of the program is to promote enjoyable and successful winter mountaineering and camping through a learn-by-doing approach and is held in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

For more information, please click here.

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Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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15 Loop Hikes in the Smoky Mountains

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

2 comments
On at least two separate occasions in recent months I’ve read in some hiking forum about a lack of loop trails in the Smoky Mountains. It’s possible that these individuals were referring to the lack of park designated loops. If that’s the case, then those people might have a point. However, there are many loop hikes that can be created by simply linking together multiple trails – in all areas of the park.

Many day hikers prefer to hike loops because it gives them “more bang for their buck”, especially if your time is limited. In addition to seeing more terrain, you'll also have the opportunity to see more of the features the Smokies has to offer, such as wildflowers, waterfalls or historic home sites.

Below is a list of 15 loop hike options of varying length, and in different areas of the park. There are many other loops that can be created for people wishing to hike more miles, or for people wishing to put together a backpacking trip (see the bottom of this post). This post includes three sections: loop hikes on the Tennessee side of the park, loop hikes on the North Caroline side of the park, and suggested areas for creating a variety of backpacking loops.


Tennessee Side Loop Hikes:

Cucumber Gap Loop
Trailhead: Elkmont
Length: 5.6 miles
Trail Features: Historic Elkmont cottages, wildflowers, hike along stream

Finley Cane/Bote Mountain/Lead Cove
Trailhead: Laurel Creek Road (about 5.5 miles from the Townsend “Y”)
Length: 7 miles
Trail Features: Quiet walk in woods, old homestead sites and sporadic views of surrounding mountains.

Rich Mountain Loop
Trailhead: Main Cades Cove parking area
Length: 8.5 miles
Trail Features: John Oliver Cabin, wildflowers, sporadic views of Cades Cove and Tuckaleechee Cove

Russell Field / Spence Field Loop
Trailhead: Anthony Creek Trailhead in the Cades Cove Picnic Area
Length: 13.3 miles
Trail Features: Panoramic views from Spence Field, abundant mountain laurel

Wet Bottom / Cooper Road / Hatcher Mountain / Abrams Falls
Trailhead: Cades Cove Visitor Center
Length: 13.4 miles
Trail Features: Abrams Falls, solitude (other than the section to the falls)

Rainbow Falls / Mt. LeConte / Bullhead Trail
Trailhead: Cherokee Orchard Loop
Length: 14.1 miles
Trail Features: Spectacular views from the summit of Mt. LeConte, Rainbow Falls – highest falls in park

Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail / Appalachian Trail / Low Gap
Trailhead: Cosby Campground
Length: 15.5 miles
Trail Features: Spectacular views, Historic Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower


North Carolina Side Loop Hikes:

Goldmine Loop Trail
Trailhead: Lakeshore Drive Tunnel
Length: 3.1 miles
Trail Features: Fontana Lake, remains of an old home site

Deep Creek Loop
Trailhead: Deep Creek
Length: 4.6 miles
Trail Features: Waterfalls and wildflowers

Smokemont Loop
Trailhead: Smokemont Campground
Length: 6.5 miles
Trail Features: Wildflowers and a walk along the Bradley Fork

Twentymile Trail / Twentymile Loop / Wolf Ridge
Trailhead: Twentmile (west of Fontana Village)
Length: 7.6 miles
Trail Features: Mountain streams and a small waterfall

Boogerman Loop
Trailhead: Cataloochee Campground
Length: 7.4 miles
Trail Features: Old growth forest, picturesque streams and falls, and the remains of early settler's home sites

Cooper Creek / Deeplow Gap / Thomas Divide / Mingus Creek
Trailhead: Cooper Creek Trailhead (north of Ela, NC)
Length: 11.1 miles
Trail Features: Waterfalls and sporadic views of surrounding mountains

Shuckstack Fire Tower / Lost Cove / Lakeshore Trail
Trailhead: Fontana Dam
Length: 12 miles
Trail Features: Shuckstack Fire Tower, spectacular views of Fontana Lake, remnants of old home sites

Hemphill Bald / Caldwell Fork / Rough Fork
Trailhead: Polls Gap (near Balsam Mountain Campground)
Length: 13.7 miles
Trail Features: Outstanding views of the Cataloochee Valley


Backpacking Loops:

The Smokies also offer numerous backpacking opportunities, from short two-day trips, to several day treks. Please note, however, that the park now requires a permit and advance reservations for all backcountry camping. You should first visit the park website for more information on this process.

Some of the best areas to launch a backpacking loop, include:

Big Creek Trailhead: Depending on how many days, and how many miles, this trailhead offers multiple options that could include the Mt. Cammerer and Mt. Sterling fire towers, as well as the opportunity to follow along Big Creek. There are several campsites and backcountry shelters that could be used to link various segments together to form your trip. Various trips in this area could begin from Cosby, Big Creek or the Mt. Sterling Trailhead.

Deep Creek Trailhead: With several backcountry campsites, this section of the park just north of Bryson City also offers a variety of loop options. Deep Creek itself is especially beautiful. In addition to loops beginning from the Deep Creek Trailhead, backpackers will also have the option of starting from the end of Lakeview Drive, or from the Cooper Creek Trailhead.

Newfound Gap: From the top of Newfound Gap backpackers will have the opportunity to hike along the Appalachian Trail to Icewater Springs, or even Pecks Corner. A partial loop (lollipop) can be created by including the Dry Sluice Gap or Hughes Ridge trails.

Tremont: This multi-day loop could include a hike up the Bote Mountain Trail to visit Spence Field and Rocky Top. After traversing eastbound along the Appalachian Trail, it would then return via the Greenbrier Ridge and Middle Prong trails. Backpackers could also begin a loop from Tremont that heads eastbound on the Lumber Ridge Trail, which could then be used to link up with the Jakes Creek Trail. From there, depending on how many days and how many miles you want to hike, you could head up to Buckeye Gap along the AT, or return directly back to Tremont via Panther Creek Trail.

Cades Cove Visitor Center: This area of the park also offers numerous loop options, which could include Abrams Falls. This area has some of the lowest elevations in the park, and offers some of the easiest terrain.

Gregory Bald: Also in the Cades Cove area is the Gregory Ridge Trailhead, which will offer loop options that head up to Gregory Bald, arguably one of the most scenic areas in the park. Using the Long Hungry Ridge Trail, Twentymile Loop Trail and the Wolf Ridge Trail, backpackers could create a lollipop loop as well. Backpackers can also link up with the Appalachian Trail and travel eastbound to the Spence Field / Rocky Top area. With two vehicles, or the use of a shuttle, you could create a one-way hike that includes some of the best scenery the Smokies has to offer.

Backpackers will also have the option of hiking one of three long-distance trails that travel through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This includes the Appalachian Trail, the Benton McKaye Trail, and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Even if you don't have two vehicles in your party you can still do a one-way hike, whether it's the entire trail, or just a portion, by using a hiker shuttle service.

Finally, to help plan your trip, your best bet will be to have a detailed map, which will allow you to estimate mileage and the terrain (elevation) you can expect for any given route. For those that are hiking the Appalachian Trail, you may want to consider the new National Geographic Topographic Map Guides. These are light-weight, small book format maps printed on rugged waterproof, tear-resistant paper. In all, there are 13 sectional maps that cover the entire length of the A.T. The Springer Mountain to Davenport Gap section covers the Smokies.






Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

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