Backcountry Campsite #30

For Tennessee locals seeking a truly immersive and unforgettable wilderness experience, Backcountry Campsite #30 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg offers an unparalleled escape. This isn't your typical drive-up campground; instead, it's a pristine primitive site accessible only by foot, promising the solitude, natural beauty, and adventure that defines the heart of the Smokies. For those who embrace the challenge of a rewarding hike, this campsite delivers an exceptional opportunity to connect deeply with nature.

Backcountry Campsite #30 is renowned for its incredible setting and thoughtful layout. As one enthusiastic camper described, "Backcountry Campsite 30 is an incredible campsite! It's actually three separate campsite (large open one in the middle, one down low beside the stream and another up top)." This unique configuration ensures privacy and flexibility, even if multiple groups are present. Imagine falling asleep to the soothing "white noise" of the stream, or gazing at an "incredible" view of the "moon and the stars" from your secluded spot. This campsite is designed to enhance your backcountry experience.

For Tennessee residents who love to backpack, explore, and truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle, Campsite #30 serves as an ideal basecamp. It provides the essential amenities for a comfortable primitive stay, from fire rings for cooking and warmth to a crucial bear pulley system for food storage. Whether you're a seasoned thru-hiker or a family looking to introduce older children to the joys of backpacking, this site offers a memorable and authentic wilderness adventure right in our cherished Great Smoky Mountains.

Backcountry Campsite #30 is nestled deep within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with its general location given as Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA. This places it on the Tennessee side of the park, an iconic region known for its breathtaking natural beauty and extensive trail network.

Accessibility to Campsite #30 is exclusively on foot, as it is a designated backcountry site. It cannot be reached by vehicle. The primary access point highlighted by a reviewer is a hike "in from Little River Trailhead at Elkmont." Elkmont is a well-known area within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, west of Gatlinburg, and serves as a popular starting point for numerous trails. The hike to Campsite #30 from Elkmont is described as approximately "~8.29 miles with ~1,929 feet elevation gain" each way. This indicates a moderately challenging but rewarding trek, suitable for hikers with a good level of fitness.

A significant aspect of the trail to Campsite #30 is the presence of "multiple stream crossings." While noted as "None were too intense," campers are strongly advised to "definitely pack water shoes and dry clothes to be prepared!" This detail is crucial for planning and ensures hikers are properly equipped for varying water levels, especially after heavy rains ("You have to cross a small part of the river which isn't a problem unless there has a big rain."). Despite the crossings, the trails themselves are described as "very well maintained and easy to hike," which is a considerable advantage for such a lengthy backcountry approach.

It is mandatory for all overnight stays in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park backcountry to obtain a permit in advance. This permit system helps manage visitor impact and ensures safety in this pristine wilderness. Proper preparation, including consulting detailed park maps and current trail conditions, is essential for a safe and enjoyable journey to Backcountry Campsite #30.

Backcountry Campsite #30, as a primitive site within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers essential services tailored for backpackers and those seeking a rustic, self-sufficient camping experience. It prioritizes safety and environmental preservation over amenities found in developed campgrounds.

• Multiple Designated Campsites: A key service is the provision of "three separate campsite" areas within the larger site. This includes a "large open one in the middle, one down low beside the stream and another up top." This design offers campers privacy and options for setting up their tents or hammocks ("places to pitch tents or hang hammocks").

• Fire Rings: Each of the three separate campsites is equipped with its own "fire ring." This allows campers to safely build campfires for warmth, cooking, and ambiance (always check current fire restrictions before lighting a fire).

• Shared Bear Pulley System: A crucial safety service is the "shared bear pulley system." This system provides a designated, elevated method for campers to hang their food and scented items out of reach of bears and other wildlife, ensuring proper food storage and minimizing human-animal encounters. This is a mandatory practice in bear country.

• Stream Access/Water Source: The campsite is located "alongside a stream," providing immediate access to a natural water source. Campers can filter water from this stream for drinking ("the water that we filtered from it tasted great!"). However, it is paramount to always filter, boil, or chemically treat all water from natural sources before consumption.

• Well-Maintained Trails (Access Service): While not directly at the campsite, the "trails were very well maintained and easy to hike" (aside from stream crossings) leading to the site. This quality of the access trail is an indirect but vital service, ensuring a manageable and enjoyable hike in and out.

As a primitive backcountry site, campers should expect no restrooms (Leave No Trace principles apply for human waste), no showers, no picnic tables beyond the fire ring area, and no trash receptacles. All waste must be packed out.

Backcountry Campsite #30 stands out for several remarkable features and highlights that contribute to its "incredible" rating among campers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• Multiple Private Campsite Areas: A significant highlight is its unique layout, featuring "three separate campsite" areas. This allows for increased privacy ("spaced out enough for everyone to have their privacy") even if multiple groups are staying at the site, a rare luxury in backcountry camping.

• Stream-Side Location with White Noise: The campsite's placement "beside the stream" offers both aesthetic beauty and a practical benefit. The "stream's white noise drowned out all nature sounds," providing a tranquil and uninterrupted sleeping environment, highly valued in the wilderness.

• Incredible Star and Moon Views: Campers rave about the "incredible" "view of the moon and the stars" from the large open area, suggesting minimal light pollution and excellent opportunities for stargazing, a profound experience in the backcountry.

• Dedicated Bear Pulley System: The provision of a "shared bear pulley system" is a crucial highlight for safety and peace of mind in bear country. It demonstrates proper park management and allows campers to securely store their food, preventing unwelcome wildlife encounters.

• Individual Fire Rings: Each of the three distinct camping areas has its own "fire ring," enabling multiple groups to enjoy campfires simultaneously for cooking, warmth, and ambiance.

• Tested, Great-Tasting Water Source: The availability of a stream from which "the water that we filtered from it tasted great!" is a major convenience and highlight, reducing the need to carry in excessive amounts of water.

• Hammock-Friendly Spots: The site offers "places to pitch tents or hang hammocks," providing versatility for different sleeping preferences and making it appealing to the growing community of hammock campers.

• Well-Maintained Trails: Despite the elevation gain and stream crossings, the "trails were very well maintained and easy to hike," ensuring a more pleasant journey to and from the campsite.

These features collectively make Backcountry Campsite #30 a highly sought-after destination for an authentic, safe, and profoundly enjoyable wilderness camping experience in the Great Smoky Mountains.

As a designated backcountry campsite within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Backcountry Campsite #30 does not offer commercial "promotions" or "special offers" in the way a private business would. It is part of the public infrastructure provided and managed by the National Park Service.

The "special offer" of Backcountry Campsite #30 for Tennessee locals and all visitors is the invaluable opportunity to experience the pristine wilderness of a national park at a minimal, regulatory cost. All overnight stays in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park backcountry require a permit. While there is a nominal fee associated with these permits (a small per-person, per-night charge, often with a maximum fee for longer stays), this fee is very affordable and directly contributes to the maintenance of the extensive trail system, shelters, and campsites, as well as the overall management and preservation of the park's natural resources.

There are no discounts specifically advertised for this campsite. The true value proposition is the unparalleled access to a beautiful, large, and thoughtfully designed primitive site with features like multiple private areas, fire rings, a shared bear pulley system, and stream access, all within one of the most biodiverse and stunning national parks in the United States. For Tennessee residents, this represents an accessible and economical way to immerse themselves in a genuine wilderness adventure, complete with "incredible" views of the moon and stars. Always check the official Great Smoky Mountains National Park website or Recreation.gov for the most current permit fees and reservation policies before planning your trip to Backcountry Campsite #30.

For Tennessee locals planning a backcountry trip to Campsite #30 within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, direct contact information for the specific campsite itself is not available, as it is a primitive, unstaffed location. However, all inquiries regarding permits, trail conditions, and park regulations should be directed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's main information lines.

Here is the available contact information:

Address: Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA (This indicates its general location within the park's Tennessee side)

While specific phone numbers for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were not provided in the original input for Backcountry Campsite #30, the general contact numbers for the park's headquarters and visitor information are widely available and are the authoritative source for planning a backcountry trip. You would typically call the main Great Smoky Mountains National Park phone number, which is:

General Park Information Phone: (865) 436-1200 (This is the primary public number for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.)

Backcountry Information Phone: (865) 436-1297 (Often a dedicated line for backcountry permits and conditions).

These numbers are the best resource for:

• Mandatory Backcountry Permit Reservations: Permits are required for all overnight stays in the park's backcountry, including Campsite #30. You will need to reserve your specific backcountry campsite through the park's online reservation system (Recreation.gov) or by calling these numbers.

• Current Trail Conditions: Inquire about trail closures, weather advisories, water levels in streams (especially relevant for the stream crossings to Campsite #30), and any other conditions that might affect your hike.

• Park Regulations and Bear Safety: Get up-to-date information on food storage requirements (how to properly use the bear pulley system), fire restrictions, and Leave No Trace principles specific to the park.

• General Park Information: Any other questions about hiking, wildlife, or planning your visit to this section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

It is highly recommended to contact the park directly and consult their official website well in advance of your trip to ensure you have all necessary permits and are fully prepared for a safe and responsible backcountry experience at Campsite #30.

For Tennessee locals, Backcountry Campsite #30 offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the genuine wilderness and breathtaking beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, right here in our own state. Its "incredible" designation is well-earned, providing a profoundly rewarding experience for those willing to embark on a challenging yet manageable backcountry hike.

What makes this campsite particularly suitable for Tennesseans is its unique design. The "three separate campsite" areas ensure a level of privacy often unheard of in backcountry settings, allowing different groups to enjoy their own space. Sleeping "beside the stream," with its natural "white noise," provides an incredibly peaceful and restorative night's rest. Furthermore, the "incredible" views of the "moon and the stars" underscore the magic of truly dark skies, a rare commodity for many of us living near developed areas.

The essential amenities like individual fire rings and the crucial "shared bear pulley system" demonstrate responsible park management, offering peace of mind and safety for campers. While the "multiple stream crossings" demand preparation, they add an element of adventure that many locals cherish, transforming a simple hike into a memorable journey. Backcountry Campsite #30 is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it's a gateway to deep connection with nature, challenging ourselves, and creating enduring memories within the magnificent wilderness of our Tennessee mountains.