Appalachian Trail Shelter in Tennessee Severely Damaged by Fire

An iconic Appalachian Trail Shelter in Tennessee has lost its roof in a fire, according to Boots Off Hostel and Campground. Laurel Fork Shelter (mm 421.9) was severely damaged by fire on Monday, August 15. At this time there is no official cause of the fire and it is unclear when — or if — the shelter will be rebuilt.

Jim Gregory, the owner of Boots Off Hostel (mm 428.7), notes in an interview with local news source WJHL that “it’s odd for a shelter to burn down when there really weren’t lightning storms and stuff in the area,” and that “there really wasn’t anything that could have just sparked it easily that we know of.”

According to the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club (TEHCC), the shelter was originally constructed in 1960 by the US Forest Service. The club has since taken over maintenance, adding a picnic table, replacing the metal roof, and replacing the wooden floor over the years. 

Laurel Fork Shelter pictured in early spring 2019 (left) and in 2024 after the fire. Left photo: Tom Demello. Right photo: Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoe Club

Laurel Fork Shelter was famous for the presence of a large rat known as “Ratzilla” in FarOut comments. In a comment from June 6, 2024, user one user notes that Ratzilla was “comparable to a chinchilla” in size. Other users noted the rat’s penchant for attempting to steal small articles of clothing.  Despite the rat’s reputation, members of the trail community have expressed their hopes that Ratzilla survived the fire. 

At this time the future of the Laurel Fork Shelter site is unclear. The TEHCC states on its website that plans will be discussed once an incident investigation is complete. In the meantime, the club asks hikers to avoid the area due to the lack of suitable campsites. 

The next shelter SOBO is Moreland Gap Shelter (mm 414.0). NOBO the next shelter is Vandeventer Shelter (mm 438.0). Multiple unofficial campsites are also marked on FarOut. 

Featured image: Laurel Fork Shelter after the fire. Photo: Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club