Quick Links

Trail Overall

• The BMT Databook with listing of campsites, water, road access, etc. and distances to each
• The BMTA Store has several current trail publications
• Free Downloads page with links to several free BMT files, including maps (NOTE: some of these are really old)
• Trailheads and Access Points along the entire BMT
• BMT/AT Loop Hikes
• Resupply Information page with contact information and other info
• Hiker Shuttles page to assist in finding a ride
• Be sure to check the BMT Vital Info page for other info useful to hikers.
• Overview Map of the entire trail (also see Suggested Maps below.)
• Registering Your Thru-Hike of the BMT
• See the Federal Agency Partners page for a list of pertinent offices.
• Forums where info on the BMT can be searched for: White Blaze Forum, Sgt. Rock's Hiking HQ, Trail Journals
• Hikers may also appreciate ALDHA.

BMT-South,  miles 0 - 80.2,  Georgia

• Guidebook, Hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail by Tim Homan, is currently available. It covers the southern 91 miles of the BMT and includes a southern-91-miles map set.
• Paper maps - Reccommend Trail Illustrated #777.

BMT-Middle,  miles 80.2 - 187.8,  Tennessee/North Carolina

• Section 11 Advisory on local trail name changes south of US Hwy 64 in Tennessee (also available on Free Downloads page)
• Paper maps - Reccommend Trail Illustrated #777.

BMT-North,  miles 187.8 - 287.6,  Smokies

• See Suggested Maps, below, for info on paper map (file available on Free Downloads page)

Suggested Maps

Anyone interested in these maps should check details such as area covered, map scale, shipping costs, etc. before making a purchase.

• Trails Illustrated Topo Map #777 - Springer and Cohutta Mountains: covers the BMT from its southern terminus at Springer Mountain, GA. (shared with the Appalachian Trail) to Big Frog Mountain just across state line in Tennessee.  The BMT is shown with yellow highlight.
• Trails Illustrated Topo Map #781 - Tellico and Ocoee Rivers covers from Scroggin Knob (mile 44, near Rich Mt. Wilderness in Georgia) all the way to the Smokies (mile 190).
  New edition (released June 2006) shows BMT in continuous yellow highlight across both map panels.
• Various Smokies Maps: Trails Illustrated - Great Smoky Mtns National Park Map #229 is $11.95. Regular trail map of paper is $1 and also available at all backcountry registration points in the park.

Trail Markers and Navigation

The trail is marked by a 5" wide x 7" high standard white blaze everywhere outside of designated Wilderness. A few odd-sized blazes may be noted where post width is insufficient to fit a standard blaze. No painted blazes of any kind are permitted in Wilderness. (The single exception is the six-mile stretch immediately south of the Georgia state line.) Half-scale wooden diamond 'blazes' (which are classified as 'signs') are currently being tested in the Big Frog Wilderness with hopes for their future use in all Wilderness areas. They appear at only two points near each trail intersection and at one point on each side of questionable creek crossings.

Double blazes - one over the other - are placed just before turns and just before any areas of potential confusion. They convey the standard meaning, "Heads up! -or- Watch for a turn in the trail."

In Georgia, the longest established trail, there should be road signs each way wherever the trail crosses a public road and flexible, brown, plastic sign posts with trail marker decals about 50 to 100 yards into the woods from each trailhead. In Tennessee and North Carolina, there are both wood and painted metal signs but the coverage is not complete, as it is in Georgia. Hikers should be extra cautious to follow the trail at unsigned intersections until this work is done.

The BMT route through the Smokies is marked at trail intersections with distinctive decals affixed to short, brown, plastic sign segments and mounted on existing wood sign posts, as allowed by the National Park Service. The decals are a dark green color with a white diamond on the face; the words "Benton MacKaye Trail" appear inside the diamond.

Heard from the trail

Report from Ernest as of April 3, 2010

Aska Road:

-          Moonshine Hollow Trading Company and  Shallowford River Shack (listings at 0.1) may both be for the same service which I have as now being Toccoa Wilderness Outpost. I was just down there and may remember it wrong, but that is what I have written in my notes.

-          The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant was destroyed by a fire on February 13, 2012.

Highway 76:

-          I have the Chevron at 1.5 miles instead of 1.1 miles.

-          Country store with resupply across the street from the pink pig – L&A Corner General Store.

Reliance:

-          Tennessee Overhill Sleep Inn has changed ownership (with new name too) and no longer shuttles to town. The listing should probably be removed.

-          There is another lodging possibility closer to the BMT in this area I am working to get information on at this time…

Coker Creek:

-          2.0 north on Highway 68 is a continence store.

Highway 129 at Choah Dam:

-          Topoco Lodge 0.4 right for north bounders.

-          The Dragon’s Den – Hotel, pay camping, restaurant, and ST resupply

-          Fontana Village offers shuttles to their services from here when available.

Noland Creek Trailhead on Lakeshore Drive

-          Bryson City is available 7.8 miles away – should that be listed as a possible resupply point? It does have everything a hiker need although it is a TOUGH hitch. I have it in my guidebook.

Highway 441:

-          Shuttle $12 round trip to Gatlinburg available from Cherokee Transit. Should we list Services in Gatlinburg since it has more hiker friendly services and some outfitters? I also have this town listed in my guidebook.

Aska Road:

-          Martin’s Dixie Depot – they DO NOT have a pay phone. Hours are Su-Th: 9a-5p, Fr & Sa: 9a-6p (subject to change). They would also like their listing to specifically note that they do not have a public restroom.

-          Toccoa Wilderness Outpost.  8436 Aska Road Blue Ridge, GA 706-258-3717. Hours: closed Mo, Tu-Th 8a-5p, Fr&Sa 8a-6p, Su 9a-3p. Services: meals, ST resupply.

-          The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant was destroyed by a fire on February 13, 2012.

-          As mentioned before – I think the two stores mentioned on the site at 0.1 are both the same place and that is the Toccoa Wilderness Outpost.

Highway 76:

-          Across the street from the Pink Pig - L&A Corner General Store & Grill. 825 Cherry Log Street. Hours: Mo-Sa 6a-6p. Services: ST re-supply, hot meals to order, phone, restroom.

Reliance:

-          Tennessee Overhill Sleep Inn is under new ownership and has a new name. They do not offer those services anymore and I believe the listing should be removed.

-          5.3 west on Highway 30 I’m grooming a service to replace that one: Black Bear Cove Resort. More information to follow.

Coker Creek:

-          Gas Station, Convienence Store Deli - BP 2.0 N past Coker Creek Welcome Center on Hwy 68. 11401 New TN-68., Tellico Plains, TN‎ - (423) 261-2618‎. Services: food, ST-Resupply, restroom.

US 129:

-          Lodging - Tapoco Lodge , 14981 Tapoco Road Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771 828-498-2435 or toll free 800-822-5083. Open 1 Apr to 31 Oct. Meals B: 8a-10a, L: 12p-2p, D: 5:50p-7p. Notes: Gift shop open Mo-Th 10a-8p, Fr-Sa 10a-9p, Su 12-8p. Lodging and meals at the Lodge. Rooms $65 (up to 2) + $25pp - meals extra. Beer, wine, sodas, cigarettes. No pets. Accepts mail drops if you have a reservation. e-mail: info@tapocolodge.com www.tapocolodge.com

Deals Gap:

-          Lodging and Meals - The Dragons Den at Deals Gap. (On BMT). Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort 17548 Tapoco Road Tapoco, NC 28771 800-889-5550. Open late 1 Mar to mid Nov. The Dragon Den Grill hours Mo-Th: 8a to 7p Mo-Th, Fr-Su 8a-8p. Lodging is available at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort - but they are almost always full, so do not expect to get a room unless you have a reservation. Rates $60 single/couple + $10 PP. Fresh water is available outside the outdoor bathroom which is in front of the motel. Camping is allowed on the grounds for $12 per tent and includes use of showers. e-mail: info@dealsgap.com web site: www.dealsgap.com. I’m not sure why the site says this place is not recommended. I use it all the time.

-          Fontana Village has offered to shuttle hikers from here or possibly Topoco to their establishments – as long as their shuttle van is working next year. It is about the same for them to get people from here as it is to wait until the get to Fontana Dam. There is also a possibility they can shuttle from Topoco.

Fontana Dam:

-          I have more detailed information on the Hike Inn and Fontana Village if you want to include them.

-          Grocery and Meals - Friendly Fields General Store. Directions: follow the AT 4.5 SE to NC 28 and then 5.0 E. Open 7a–7p year-round. Services: phone, Coleman and alcohol fuel, ST Re-Supply, snacks and baked goods, Lunch available in season.

Noland Creek Trailhead on Lakeshore Drive:

-          Information on Bryson City to add in case we want to list it as a possible resupply point on the website.

Highway 441:

-          Information on Gatlinburg if we want to list it as a possible resupply point. There is an easy way to get to Gatlinburg from Cherokee that doesn’t cost much and Gatlinburg is a much better hiker town that Cherokee is.

I also have some information to add details to Blueridge, GA; Ducktown, TN; Fontana Village, Bryson City, NC; Cherokee, NC; and Gatlinburg, TN if we want to list it. My thoughts are to not list all the details there as that would be a real headache to keep updated, but we can if you guys would like to.

Shuttle notes:

-          Coolbreeze - located at Mountain Crossings along the AT in North GA. 813-470-9777. Coolbreeze operates mainly in North GA but services the entire length of the BMT. Additionally, if a hiker needed to hit an outfitter prior to starting the BMT, parking near Mountain Crossings and getting a shuttle from Coolbreeze to Springer Mountain is a good option.

-          David R. Hopes - Classic Transportation of the Tri-State Inc. Blue Ridge/Copper Hill, GA (706) 633-3668.  Mainly operates in North Georgia and the Tri-State Area of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. He can transport up to four hikers and gear from Atlanta or Chattanooga airports to Amicalola Falls or Springer Mountain for $125 for first hiker, $10 additional; pets welcome. Also local service around Blue Ridge/Ducktown to all BMT trail connectors from GA to TN/NC. Offers lodging in their home. classictowncar@bellsouth.net www.classictransportationofthetristate.com/

-          Jude Julius - Bryson City, NC (2 miles from A.T. at Wesser/NOC) (828) 488-6399 [home] (828) 736-0086 [cell] Springer Mtn., GA to Hot Springs, NC. Call for rates.

-          Bill "Graywolf" Johnson - located in Cherokee and runs Appalachian Services 828 507-7833. Graywolf mainly operates around the Great Smoky Mountain National Park but services the entire BMT. Additionally, he can kennel and/or transport a dog around the park for hikers that have a dog coming along with them. He also runs a service that will pick you up from anywhere within a days drive from the trail and drop you off so that you don't have to worry about getting to the trail and long term parking for your car.

-          As mentioned before – Tennessee Overhill Sleep In should be removed.

-          Copper Inn in Ducktown has offered to shuttle hikers to/from the trail.

-          Richard & Brenda Harris, 533 Shaw Mountain Road, Tellico Plains, TN 37385, 423-253-6358 (home), 513-260-1184 (cell), HarrisRi@aol.com, willing to shuttle thru-hikers to and from Tellico River Road/BMT crossing to Tellico Plains or other nearby sites. Rick is on the Board of the BMTA and is the TN/NC BMT Maintenance Director. He is very familiar with current trail conditions in the TN/NC section.

-          I’m trying to contact another possible shuttle service in the Gatlinburg area called A Walk in the Woods. They say they will shuttle anywhere in the park.

-          Last note: I don’t know the service listed on the site as Happy Trails Guides. Their website is broken – I will try to contact to confirm their data.

Thanks Ernest.

If anyone has updates to trail conditions please email the webmaster and we'll try to get the new info posted quickly.

Trail Status

The BMT is open from end-to-end thanks to the hard work of volunteer trail builders and maintainers, and to the National Park Service (Smokies).

A few sections lack maintainers. (Check the Section Mileages page for sections in need of adoption.) The remote stretches from the Tennessee/North Carolina state line through the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area are most in need. Until claimed, some of this run will continue to get overgrown by midsummer.

Advisories

• Section 4 (posted 12/08/12) - On December 2, 2012, it was reported that the stream .1-.2 miles east of Payne Gap on Section 4 was dry.  This should be considered a "seasonal water" source.  Be sure to plan carefully and carry extra water during the hot, dry summer months.  Small streams may be unreliable..
• Section 17d (posted 7/11/09) - Pleased be advised that the bridge over a ravine on the short 0.3 mile segment of the BMT between Beech Gap and the Unicoi Crest Overlook on the NC side of the Cherohala Skyway has fallen down into the ravine. Until the bridge can be replaced or repositioned, we recommend that hikers follow the Cherohala Skyway to bypass this bridge. It is possible to jump across the ravine a few feet above the bridge, but the edge is unstable and we recommend avoiding the ravine altogether by following the berm of the highway. The danger of falling into the ravine is too high to risk the jump.
• Other maps may be useful and/or necessary. (See list below under 'Suggested Maps'.) No painted blazes are permitted in federally designated Wilderness. Over a third of BMT-Middle, between the Georgia state line and the Smokies, is in Wilderness.
• Signs are lacking in the Big Frog Wilderness (miles 80.2 - 86.3) just north of the Georgia state line. New signs are being developed but have not been installed yet. Extra caution is urged here until the new signs are in place.
• New signs in the Citico Creek Wilderness (miles 164.8 - 175.8) from Cold Springs Gap to Farr Gap are bear resistant and thus use abbreviated, vertical lettering on one side only. Hikers need to understand that these signs have been oriented to direct flow on the BMT. So, for example, if a southbound BMT hiker enters a trail intersection where the BMT arrow points the way for northbound BMT hikers, the southbounder would simply continue in the direction from which a northbounder would have come. (Takes a lot of words to say but the concept is pretty simple!) Also, these signs use the US Forest Service's designation for the BMT, trail number 2, along with an engraved diamond to identify the trail.
• Signs in the Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Creek Wilderness Area (miles 175.8 - 182.7) were in place before the BMT route was approved so there is no reference to the BMT on those signs yet. Hikers must follow the local trail names - Slickrock Creek-Ike Branch-Stiffknee. Special care is needed at the Slickrock Creek-Stiffknee trail intersection where the short, weathered sign in the trail-riddled campsite area is easy to miss.
• The Davenport Gap - Big Creek area (miles 285.7 - 287.6) is not well marked. Northbounders reaching trailhead near bridge over Baxter Creek proceed slightly right and exit picnic area on gravel access road, follow this road to 4-way intersection where you turn left and ascend to Davenport Gap, the intersection with the AT and northern terminus of the BMT. Southbounders descend on road from Davenport Gap to 4-way intersection where you turn right, follow road [Stop and register at backcountry registration station on right, if applicable.] to Big Creek Picnic Area. At picnic area loop, bear left and head for the stairs going down toward the creek and the bridge over it. (Do not continue on picnic area loop to right and up to camping area further to right.) Ascend on Baxter Creek Trail.
• Carry your own tent or trail shelter is the rule on the BMT. There are only two shelters on the trail. (This is by design - the BMT was chartered as a primitive trail.)

Please Leave No Trace

The BMTA asks that you follow Leave No Trace guidelines. Leave only footprints, take away only memories.

Fisherfolk

Enjoy the hike-a-little/fish-a-little approach? Check out the Fish the BMT page.

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Little hiker photo courtesy of Eric Lewis; Giant Citico Mushroom, of Ken Jones; and Quarry Blaze, of Diana Ristom