Overnight Camping Reopens on AT in Mount Rogers Area

The US Forest Service has reopened camping for parts of the Appalachian Trail and the Mount Rogers National Recreation high country after determining that there have been no recent problems between hikers and bears.

The areas were reopened on Tuesday, Oct. 2, nearly a month after the closure on Aug. 30.

The Forest Service advises, however, that habituated bears may still be active and hikers should be alert.

“We encourage visitors to use all precautions to avoid attracting bears during their visit,” ranger Barry Garten said. “This is especially important as we go into the fall season when bears are in search of food to prepare for winter. The Forest Service continues to work with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Grayson Highlands State Park, the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club to evaluate options to address the human-bear conflict issue.”

The closure included three shelters: Thomas Knob Shelter, Wise Shelter, and Old Orchard Shelter. Bear boxes are located and Thomas Knob and Wise shelters.

Hikers not following proper LNT food-storage principles can lead bears to develop a taste for human food and be attracted to gatherings of hikers. While it is commonly believed that hanging food is a measure to protect hikers from bears, bear hangs also help protect bears from people. Eventually a fed bear can become so persistent and aggressive that drastic measures must be taken, such as relocation or euthanasia.

Featured image courtesy Jim Rahtz

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 8

  • Tom : Sep 2nd

    I blame the lazy thru-hikers who sleep with their food bags or keep it close by in the shelters. Lots of stupid AT vloggers have bragged about that too. Idiots!

    Reply
  • Nate : Sep 2nd

    This area is also one of the most beautiful weekend or 5-7d backpacking destinations in the Mid-Atlantic with over 200mi of potential loop hikes in the highlands and along iron mountain trail. The area affected is the most spectacular section for camping. Hopefully next year people will be more responsible with their food.

    Reply
  • Hank (Hawk) Markison : Sep 2nd

    This would be a straight forward, though long term, fix if folks would take LNT to heart and learn to hang a food bag properly. Of hundreds of bear hangs that I’ve seen, I could count on one hand the ones that were done according to suggested techniques. On the other hand, I’ve only seen a few shelter areas that had workable trees within a 100′ radius. I understand the expense and effort involved in placing bear hang cables or, preferably, bear boxes, but something needs to be done on one of those issues. Either that or we’ll all need to start carrying bear spray.

    Reply
  • Ruth Morley : Sep 2nd

    I recommend Bearikade’s smallest canister, the Scout. Weighs less than 2 labs. I fit it in my 40 liter bag without a hitch. Problem solved.

    Reply
    • Ken : Sep 3rd

      I’ve always felt it’s the hiker’s responsibility to protect the bears. You have to hang your food bag correctly. It hard on some areas. And no one solution is correct for everyone. Personally I find bear canisters bulky and cumbersome. I really like my Ursack. I found out much easier to pack and to hang. All good, soiled cooking pan and utensils, snacks and food trash. That’s what works for me. And saved me and my son’s food while hiking in the White Mountains this summer.

      Reply
  • Doreen : Sep 3rd

    Safety is number 1 always be aware of your surroundings travel in numbers and if you hike alone just be safe watch for bears mountain lion moose and wach for animals with young ones stay away dont leave trash behind and respect the trails leave no sign you stayed some where always carry water know how to find water sources be careful out there eyes on where you walk and snakes have fun make your adventure one to remember

    Reply
  • jen : Sep 10th

    I hope this does turn out like Watauga lake and remain closed for years to come.

    Reply

What Do You Think?