Experience Authentic Backcountry Camping at Backcountry Camp 26

8 reviews

Miry Ridge Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
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Backcountry Camp 26 Introduce

Backcountry Camp 26 offers an authentic backcountry camping experience located on Miry Ridge Trail in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Nestled within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this primitive campsite provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature while enjoying comfortable amenities tailored for outdoor enthusiasts.

Set amidst a serene forest environment, Backcountry Camp 26 features shaded tent sites surrounded by towering hemlocks and other native trees. The campsite is designed for those seeking an immersive outdoor experience without compromising on comfort. Each site is equipped with tent pads, bear cables for securing food and supplies, and fire pits with nearby water sources. The surrounding area offers breathtaking views of the mountain landscape, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and hikers.

One of the standout features of Backcountry Camp 26 is its proximity to popular trails and points of interest. Hikers can access the Mount LeConte Trailhead from the campsite, providing easy access to some of the most scenic trails in the Smoky Mountains. The Jakes Creek AT Loop is also nearby, offering a challenging yet rewarding hiking experience for visitors.

While visiting Backcountry Camp 26, guests should be mindful of the natural surroundings and plan accordingly. The nearby creek may not always have water, so it's essential to bring your own supply or rely on rainfall. Tent sites are leveled for ease of setup, and large downed trees provide convenient seating areas for cooking and dining under the stars.

Primitive Camping Experience: Backcountry Camp 26 offers a true backcountry experience with tent-only camping, allowing visitors to disconnect from modern conveniences while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Convenient Facilities: Each site features tent pads, bear cables, fire pits, and access to composting toilets, ensuring guests have all they need for a comfortable stay.
Natural Beauty: Surrounded by hemlocks and other native trees, the campsite offers shaded, level tent sites with easy access to hiking trails.
Proximity to Trails: Located near popular trails like the Mount LeConte Trailhead and Jakes Creek AT Loop, Backcountry Camp 26 is a haven for hikers seeking a peaceful retreat after a day on the trail.

Customers who have stayed at Backcountry Camp 26 highlight its beauty and convenience. Many appreciate the well-maintained sites and the availability of bear cables and tent pads, which make camping easier. One guest noted that while the campsite is beautiful with plenty of natural features, visitors should plan ahead for water since the nearby creek may be dry.

If you're looking for a primitive camping experience in the Great Smoky Mountains, Backcountry Camp 26 offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying basic amenities. Whether you're an experienced hiker or a casual camper, this campsite provides the perfect setting for connecting with the outdoors.

Location

Tennessee Sevier County Gatlinburg Miry Ridge Trail

Customer Reviews

3.0

8 reviews

Maor Shoshan

Oct 12, 2019

Made a three day hike (Jakes Creek AT Loop) with the girlfriend, this was our third campsite. This one was the most beautiful, covered with big logs, even pads for tents and plenty of bear cables. If you go East enough there's a log nearby you can use as a field toilet - very convenient ;) The only con is that the nearby creek is dry, so you should plan ahead your water supply if you want to camp here.

Art Fisher

Feb 08, 2022

Campsite is beautiful with many hemlocks and level tent sites. Nice places to cook with large downed trees to sit on. The water supply is fairly rainfall dependent, so watch the weather carefully. You will need to have some significant rainfall the preceding two weeks before your visit to anticipate an adequate flow 100 feet below the campsite down the east slope.

Leah Nagel

Jun 16, 2020

First, the good. There are plenty of large logs for sitting, the standard bear cables and fire rings, and a pretty good spot for seeing wildlife. Unfortunately, when we were there, the water source was completely dry and, coming from the south on Miry Ridge trail, the last water source is almost 6 miles away at Siler's Bald, so we arrived after a very long day with very little water. If you're coming from Lynn Camp Prong or Jake's Creek, you won't experience this problem, but plan a fill up stop as late as possible. If you're planning to come the way we did, skip this camp entirely and try to make it to 27, which has great water access or stop at Siler's Bald. All of the tent sites were fine, but quite close together. There were 6 other tents the night we stayed and it felt like a front country car campground. Even though the other guests were friendly, that's not my preferred backpacking experience. Lastly, the trail to camp off the main trail was very overgrown with blackberry brambles, but it's probably unusual since we were camping shortly after the park reopened and they likely just hadn't gotten to that bit of trail maintenance.

Jason Kiser

Mar 08, 2020

Not awesome, but very adequate for a campsite in the Smokies. Probably 6 flat tent spots, 3 bear cables (I think) and a handful of fire rings. There was water during a very wet February in '02. No white noise from a creek or anything. I heard barred owls all night and coyotes at dusk. Can't say there's any good views really close, but if you like quiet, this has it.

Ian Lemley

Sep 06, 2016

The site itself is pretty, with large trees interspersed and several tent pads. However, in late summer the water source is barely a trickle, taking nearly 45 min to fill 5L. Try to refill water at a more reliable source if possible!