Benton MacKaye is the Longest Trail in the GSMNP

• The 480’, Fontana Dam, located at the entrance to the Park, is the tallest dam in the eastern United States.
• Stroll along the BMT/Lakeshore trails where you’ll catch glimpses of Fontana Lake. Several rusted, abandoned cars from the 1930s / 1940s add a visible touch of history to your journey.
• The tunnel on the Road to Nowhere is a quarter-mile-long tunnel that was intended to be part of the connecting road (to Bryson City or Maryville) for those displaced by the creation of Fontana Lake.
• Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, the Mt. Sterling Fire Tower was decommissioned in the 1960s. The Forest Service still uses the tower as a radio repeater. For you, the hiker, the attraction is the fabulous view from the top of the tower.

2-4 Day Backpack Trips on the BMT

The BMT on the Lakeshore Trail – 34.7 miles, 3 or 4 days. Start at the Road to Nowhere Tunnel and hike back to the parking lot at Fontana Dam, where the AT and BMT split – or reverse the direction of the trip. Another choice is to get a boat ride to various points along the Lakeshore Trail via the shuttles at Fontana Marina, which will leave you with several day hikes or shorter backpacks. Along this route you will encounter numerous old, abandoned cars and trucks. Cemeteries, marked as horse trails off the main trail can offer another dimension to the hike. During the summer, a swim in a creek or in the lake are fun activities. Fishing is extremely popular at some of the large creeks, especially Hazel Creek. At Hazel Creek, there also are remains of an old settlement, and you can visit the Calhoun House.

The BMT from the Road to Nowhere to Deep Creek Exiting at the Deep Creek Campground – This backpack trip is 19.3 miles that takes 2 or 3 days. Leave a vehicle at the Deep Creek Campground hiker parking lot. Begin the hike from the Road to Nowhere at the Noland Creek Trailhead. Hike up the Noland Creek Trail on the BMT, crossing several bridges – there are a few fords further up the ridge. Cross the Noland Divide and follow the BMT down the Pole Road Creek Trail to a bridge over Deep Creek. Hike down the Deep Creek Trail passing several waterfalls, to the hiker parking lot at the Deep Creek Campground.

Deep Creek Campground to Smokemont Campground – This 17.6-mile day route takes you from the Deep Creek Campground up the Deep Creek Trail to its intersection with the BMT. There are several nice waterfalls along the way. From here, follow the BMT up the Martins Gap Trail to the crest of Sunkota Ridge. Proceed on the BMT to Newton Bald – follow the BMT to the Smokemont Campground. 

Smokemont to Straight Fork Rd on the BMT – This 14.4 mile 2-day route takes you from the Smokemont Campground on the BMT up Chastain Creek past the Chastain Creek Cascades. You will cross Hughes Ridge, travel down the BMT on the Enloe Creek Trail and cross Raven Fork on an old steel bridge. From here, it is a steep climb up Hyatt Ridge and then comes a steep descent to the Beech Gap Trailhead along Straight Fork Road. Camping one night at the McGee Springs Campsite #44 is a must.

Straight Fork Rd to Big Creek Campground on the BMT – This 16.2 miles 2 to 3-day backpack trip takes one from the Beech Gap Trailhead along Straight Fork Road up a steep climb to Beech Gap where the BMT meets the Balsam Ridge Trail. Along this segment of the trail, you will traverse a forest of Balsam Firs all the way to the Laurel Gap Shelter. The trail then follows the Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail to the fire tower – a great place to view the surrounding mountains from the top of the tower. From here it is a 4000-foot descent over 6 miles to the Big Creek Campground. Camping at least one of the nights at the fire tower is a must (campsite #38).

Shuttle Services

Carolina Bound Adventures (Bryson City)

Bryson City Outdoors (Bryson City)

A Walk in the Woods (Bryson City)

Guided Hikes

Carolina Bound Adventures (Bryson CIty)

A Walk in the Woods (Bryson City)