GSHAG's Deep Creek Summer Campout! --- Hike, Float, Fish, and Feast!

Photo courtesy of Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground

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

We’ll spend the weekend at the Deep Creek Campground near Byson City, NC from Friday through Sunday (June 20-22) hiking, floating, fishing, and feasting! This is a fantastic opportunity to visit the waterfalls, trails, and streams on the NC side of the GSMNP.

We’ll offer multiple events over the weekend, from Beginner to Difficult level hikes, a mini-clinic on how to “Mark a 900 Mile Map”, and a Gear Swap on Saturday; with more hikes, trout fishing, and family tubing on Sunday.

DINING
We’ll share a group potluck style cookout on Saturday night, with volunteers cooking burgers, hotdogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. We’ll meet at the Deep Creek Picnic Area pavilion just past the entrance to the campground, on the left. Everyone is encouraged to bring a side, salad, or dessert to be shared among the group.

HIKING
On Saturday we’ll set up a series of hikes dropping down to Deep Creek from along the Clingmans Dome road, using a paid shuttle bus from the campground to the THs. We’ll also offer a family friendly waterfall hike. More info and sign-ups to come.

TUBING
Sunday morning folks can choose to join a group tubing down Deep Creek—again and again. The upper section is narrower and offers more thrills, especially when the water is a bit above normal. The lower section is wider and more suitable for families with younger kids, or folks not as calm about being in the water. We’ll rent the tubes from one of several local providers. More info to come in a separate event posting.

CAMPING
Hikers can choose to camp overnight on Friday, Saturday, or both nights. We’ll be camping in the area on the northeast side of the campground, towards the back. There are spaces for tents, as well as RVs, and camper trucks. We have already started grabbing campsites between 60 and 77.

Campsite reservations 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!

FISHING
Are you not just a hiker, but also love to fish? Do you yearn to fly fish along those pristine rivers you have been hiking next to? Then get your fishing poles and gear ready because we are coordinating a trout fishing event on Sunday. Weather permitting. More info in an upcoming event posting.

GEAR SWAP
Is your gear closet out of control? Not ready to invest in pricey new gear? Then come join us Saturday, June 21st after dinner at the Deep Creek Picnic Area Pavilion for a private gear swap where fellow hikers attending the GSHAG Deep Creek campout can sell, trade or buy gently used, pre-loved gear. More details to follow!

PARKING TAGS
Frontcountry 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 at the restrooms near the entrance to the campground, just before the Deep Creek Campground Kiosk.

“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.

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
Deep Creek Campground
Deep Creek Picnic Area Pavilion
Deep Creek Campground Kiosk
Deep Creek Campground Campsite Map
Campsite reservations

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