This page of the Appalachian Trail Guide provides information on key points along the AT as it passes through the Smokies, such as shelters, water sources, points of interest, as well as mileage and elevation information. Towards the bottom of the page you'll find a list of key online resources.


In the table below, mileage is measured from the two Appalachian Trail entry points into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Fontana Dam from the southwest, and Davenport Gap from the northeast:





















































































































































































































































































Key Points Fontana Dam Davenport Gap Elevation Water Notes
Fontana Dam 0.0 71.6 1800
Short side trail to the Shuckstack Fire Tower.
Shuckstack Tower  4.0 67.6 3800

Birch Spring Gap 5.3 66.3 3680 Y
Doe Knob 7.6 64.0 4520
Trail junction give you access to Gregory Bald.
Ekaneetlee Gap 8.9 62.7 3842 Y
Mollies Ridge Shelter  10.6 61.0 4570 Y
Russell Field Shelter  13.1 58.5 4360 Y
Spence Field Shelter 16.0 55.6 4915 Y Travel 0.2 miles on Eagle Creek Trail to reach shelter. Awesome displays of mountain laurel at Spence Field in late spring.
Rocky Top 17.2 54.4 5440
Spectacular views atop Rocky Top.
Thunderhead Mountain 17.8 53.8 5527

Beechnut Gap 18.1 53.5 4920 Y
Derrick Knob Shelter 22.3 49.3 4880 Y
Sam's Gap 22.5 49.1 4995 Y
Buckeye Gap 25.1 46.5 4817 Y
Siler's Bald Shelter  27.8 43.8 5460 Y
Double Spring Gap Shelter 29.5 42.1 5505 Y
Clingmans Dome 32.0 39.6 6643 Y Highest point on AT, in the Smokies, and state of Tennessee.  Emergency access, shuttles & restrooms. 
Mt. Collins Shelter 35.8 35.8 5870 Y Travel 0.5 miles north on Sugarland Mountain Trail to reach shelter. Access to Clingmans Dome Road.
Newfound Gap, US 441 41.3 30.3 5046 Y Only place where AT crosses a road in the Smokies. Restrooms, re-supply point, or catch a shuttle. 
Icewater Spring Shelter  43.3 28.3 5920 Y Because it's so close to Newfound Gap this is one of the most crowded shelters in the park.
Charlies Bunion 44.1 27.5 5905
Outstanding panoramic views from large rock out-cropping at Chalies Bunion.
Pecks Corner Shelter 50.7 20.9 5280 Y Must travel 0.5 miles south on the Hughes Ridge Trail to reach shelter.
Mt. Sequoyah 53.4 18.2 6069

Mt. Chapman 54.9 16.7 6417

Tri-Corner Knob Shelter 55.9 15.7 5920 Y
Guyot Spring 57.7 13.9 6150 Y
Mt. Guyot Side Trail 57.8 13.8 6395

Cosby Knob Shelter 63.6 8.0 4700 Y
Mt. Cammerer Side Trail 66.4 5.2 5000
Excellent 0.6 mile side trip to a “western” style octagonal rock fire tower.
natural spring 66.9 4.7 4300 Y
natural spring 68.5 3.1 3700 Y
Davenport Gap Shelter 70.7 0.9 2600 Y
Davenport Gap  71.6 0 1975
TN 32, NC 284; eastern boundary of Smokies



Additional Resources:


General Information / Short History of the AT


National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for the Smoky Mountains


Nat Geo Sectional Maps: Western SmokiesEastern Smokies


Nat Geo Topographic Map Guide for the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies


Backcountry Rules and Regulations for the Smokies


Campsite and Shelter information (GPS waypoints, maps, etc.)


Temporary road, campsite and shelter closures, and water issues


Appalachian Trail Forum: info, articles, tips, advice and pictures


Appalachian Trail Conservancy


Local Climate and Weather


Bears in the Smokies


Appalachian Trail Shuttle Services


Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina


AWOL on the Appalachian Trail


Hiking Gear and Apparel