Shelters

Last Revised: March 08, 2007

General Information

There is a series of trail shelters on the TEHCC section of the Appalachian Trail, spaced a day's hike or less apart.  They vary in style and construction.  Most of these shelters are three-sided with an open front, a metal roof, and can sleep six or more people.  Most of them have a wooden floor or sleeping platform, a picnic table, a fire-ring, and a spring or other water source reasonably close by.  Hikers should bring their own sleeping equipment, cooking utensils, and a stove.

Additional information about the TEHCC section of the Appalachian Trail can be found in the A.T. Info section of this web site, and also in the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) publications "Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina" and "Appalachian Trail Data Book", which can be purchased in most outdoors shops, and also directly from the ATC.

Shelter Guidelines

Shelters along the Trail are provided primarily for the long-distance hiker who may have no other shelter.  People planning overnight hikes are asked to consider this and carry tents (tent camping is permitted at all of our shelters).  This is good insurance in any case, since the Trail is heavily used and shelters are often crowded during the spring, summer, and fall.  Organizations -- such as Scouts -- should keep their groups small (eight to ten people, including leaders), carry tents, and not monopolize the shelters.  Although shelter use is on a first-come, first-served basis, please cooperate and consider the needs of others.  All of our shelters have mice that are active at night; a tent may provide a more restful night's sleep.  If the shelter has a register, please sign it.

Shelters are for overnight stays only, and, except for bad weather, injury, or other emergency, hikers should not stay more than one or two nights.  Hunters, fishermen, and other non-hikers should not use the shelters as bases of operation.

Use facilities with care and respect.  Do not carve initials or write on shelter walls.  Do not use an ax on any part of the shelter or use benches or tables as chopping blocks.  The roofing material is easily damaged; do not climb on it.

Keep noise to a minimum between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. as a courtesy to those attempting to sleep.

Help us preserve the natural environment of the shelter and its surroundings.  Vandalism and carelessness mar the area's pristine nature and cause maintenance problems.  Never cut live trees.  Keep to trodden paths.  Practice "leave no trace" ethics; if you pack it in, pack it out. 

Leave the shelter in good condition.  Do not leave food in the shelter; this may cause damage by animals.  Remove unburned trash from the fireplace, including aluminum foil, and pack out food and refuse.  Each shelter has been provided with a shovel, rake, and broom; please do not remove these tools from the shelter.

Most of our shelters are at least one mile from the nearest access point.  If you encounter any law-enforcement situation (abuse of the shelter or the trail, physical harassment of hikers, etc.), notify the U.S. Forest Service and local law enforcement as appropriate; contact information is shown on our Emergencies page.

Privies

Most of our shelters do not have privies.  In the past, the privies that we did have filled with trash shortly after construction.  We have removed the privies, and encourage the use of dispersed "catholes"  instead, downhill and away from water sources.  Each shelter has been provided with a shovel and rake for "cathole" use.  We are investigating privy designs that minimize the problem of their use for trash disposal.

List of Shelters

Our shelters are listed north-to-south below:

Sources of information:

Don Nelan Shelter

The Don Nelan Shelter, which was burned by vandals in 1990, was located in Sugar Hollow in Carter County, Tennessee.  Here are some file photos of this shelter (click on small photo or link):