Great Smokies Hiking & Adventure Group

GSHAG's Summer Campout at Smokemont CG --- Hike, Learn, and Feast!

Fri, Jun 12 · 9:00 AM EDT

IGNORE the Meetup Location Info - Still Broken, https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGfzvHH9b8wkc1BJ6, Cherokee, NC, US

HEADS UP!
It’s time to start thinking about some summer fun!!

Reservation for individual campsites are now open at Recreation.Gov. As soon as families start planning their summer vacations these spots will be Gone! If you want to camp, you’ll need to make your reservations now!

OVERVIEW
We’ll spend the weekend hiking, learning, and feasting at the Smokemont Campground near Cherokee, NC from Friday through Sunday (June 12-14). This is a great opportunity to visit the waterfalls, trails, and streams on the quieter side of the Park. Hikers can also consider a side-trip to the Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Vistor Center or a visit to historic Cherokee, NC.

We’ll offer multiple events over the weekend, with Beginner to Difficult level hikes and a selection of mini clinics on Saturday, and more hikes and clinics possible on Sunday. TBA

DINING
We’ll share a group potluck style cookout on Saturday night, with a menu to be determined closer to the event. We’ll meet at the Smokemont Group Campground - Site G-03 near the far-left corner of the campground. Everyone is encouraged to bring a side, salad, or dessert to be shared among the group. There will be a sign-up sheet posted when we get closer to the event.

HIKING
On Saturday we’ll set up a series of hikes dropping down to Smokemont from the starting trailheads along Newfound Gap Road, possibly using a paid shuttle bus from the campground if we have enough demand. We’ll also offer a family friendly 3.6-mile waterfall hike. More info and sign-ups to come.

CAMPING
Hikers can choose to camp overnight on Friday, Saturday, or both nights. We’ll be camping and dining in the Group area (G-03) on the far end of the campground, next to the D Section of campsites. We will have room for 10-12 tents for those choosing to stay both Friday and Saturday nights and will post a signup list shortly.

For folks with a desire for more privacy, there are also individual campsites for tents, as well as RVs and camper trucks, near the Group site. We have already started grabbing individual campsites between D-33 through D-45.

Campsite reservations for individual sites can be made online at the link below. Most sites can accommodate 2-3 tents in the designated platforms. Consider sharing your site and split the $30 per site/per night cost. A NPS Annual Pass for Seniors provides 50% off camping fees in the Park.

As soon as families start planning their summer vacations these spots will be Gone!
If you want to camp, you’ll need to make your reservations now!

PARKING TAGS
Front-country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag for the 2 vehicles permitted. If you are parked elsewhere in the Park or campground, a parking tag is required. You can buy a day pass online, or a daily, weekly or annual pass at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, which is 3.5 miles east of the campground.

“FEED THE BEAR”
This event will also provide members a chance to “Feed the Bear” which helps us raise funds to pay the annual Meetup fee of $300 for the GSHAG group. We use any excess funds collected to cover the costs of providing the main entrées at our seasonal Campouts/Cookouts.

This allows the Organizers to run the GSHAG group without charging any member or event fees. More info to follow.

If you enjoy our events, please consider "Feeding the Bear".

RSVP
Please RSVP now if you plan to attend so we can get a general idea of how many hikes and leaders we’ll need, and how much food we’ll need to buy for the cookout.

Please choose only one of the following when you RSVP.
1. Planned events only
2. Cookout only
3. Both

NAVIGATION AIDS
Smokemont Campground
Smokemont Group Campsite
Oconaluftee Vistor Center
Smokemont Campground Campsite Map

DISCLAIMER
By signing up for this event you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the Organizers of this Meetup group.

Full Disclaimer

EVENT HOSTS
GSHAG Leadership Team

Smokemont June Campout Group Site Reservation Info

Fri, Jun 12 · 3:00 PM EDT

Smokemont Campground, Smokemont Campground Rd D, Cherokee, NC, US

Tent stakes up!

This is for those individuals staying at the group site during the Smokemont Campout. First preference will be given to hikers spending both Friday and Saturday nights. The cost is $15 per person/per night.

We have Group Site 3 reserved, that is G-03. There are three 13'x13' platforms to pitch tents. We can have up to 20 campers on the site, and we can park up to 5 vehicles at the site. There is additional overflowing parking if it is needed.

Smokemont Group Campsite G-03 Information

All tents must be pitched on the platforms.

To best maximize the space, campers can share the platform with others depending on the tent size. For example, 3 one-man tents can fit on a platform, or 2 one-man tents and a two-man tent could fit on a platform.

RSVPs
Join the Wait List for a Group tent spot.

There are two questions to answer when signing up.
1. How many people are in your party?
2. How big is your tent (1p, 2p, etc.).

Once I have the camper's party and tent information, I will send a message with the Venmo link. The cost is $15 per person/per night.

** RSVPs are first-come-first served* based on the order of sign-up with *complete* information, and payment made in a timely fashion. **

Campsites without payment after a week will be released back into the pool.

NOTE
Please keep in mind you will be sleeping very close to other individuals. I recommend bringing an eye mask and ear plugs. It will help drown out the nighttime noise.