Laurel Gap Shelter

Laurel Gap Shelter is a campground and lodging facility located on the Benton MacKaye Trail in Waynesville, North Carolina, United States. This institution provides important information on backcountry and bear safety, including guidelines for camping, food storage, shelters, and human-bear conflicts.

As of February 2013, Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a permit and advance reservations for all backcountry camping within the park. Visitors are reminded to familiarize themselves with regulations, bear safety tips, trail closures, and other important information before embarking on their backcountry trip.

Backpackers and hikers must adhere to all Backcountry Rules and Regulations, as failure to do so may result in fines or jail time. Maximum fines for violations are $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail.

In regards to firewood regulations, only heat-treated firewood that is certified by the USDA or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park starting from March 1, 2015. Campers can also collect dead and down wood within the park for campfires.

Certified heat-treated firewood is available for purchase from private businesses in communities surrounding the park, as well as from concessioners at Cades Cove, Smokemont, and Elkmont during their operating seasons. This regulation helps prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases.