Backcountry Camp 09

For Tennesseans seeking a genuine wilderness experience, far from the crowds and conveniences of frontcountry campgrounds, Backcountry Camp 09 offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the raw beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nestled along the scenic Anthony Creek Trail near Townsend, TN, this campsite provides a true backcountry adventure, emphasizing self-reliance and an immersive natural setting. It’s a destination for those who appreciate the quiet solitude of the forest, the sound of a rushing creek, and the challenge of a hike to reach their secluded haven. Unlike many developed sites, Backcountry Camp 09 embraces its rustic nature, offering a primitive yet incredibly rewarding experience for seasoned hikers and adventurous spirits from across Tennessee.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a jewel in Tennessee’s crown, renowned for its biodiversity, stunning vistas, and extensive trail system. Backcountry Camp 09 is a testament to the park’s commitment to preserving wild spaces, providing a designated spot for overnight stays deep within its majestic forests. This article will guide you through what makes Backcountry Camp 09 a unique and suitable choice for local users. We'll explore its precise location and how to access it, the fundamental services available in a backcountry setting, its distinctive features that enhance the wilderness experience, and crucial contact information for planning your trip. For Tennessee locals, this site represents an accessible yet adventurous step into the heart of the Smokies, offering a chance to truly disconnect and appreciate the natural grandeur of our home state.

Backcountry Camp 09 is located on the Anthony Creek Trail, near Townsend, TN 37882, USA, within the sprawling and magnificent Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This site is specifically situated 2.8 miles from the trailhead at the Cades Cove Picnic Area and 0.7 miles from the intersection with the Bote Mountain Trail. For Tennessee locals, accessing this backcountry site requires a commitment to hiking, as it is not vehicle-accessible. The primary access point is via the Anthony Creek Trail, which begins at the end of the Cades Cove Picnic Area, a popular and well-known part of the park on the Tennessee side.

The drive to the Cades Cove area from various parts of Tennessee is straightforward, utilizing well-maintained state and national park roads. From cities like Knoxville, Chattanooga, or Nashville, the journey guides you through picturesque landscapes towards the serene Townsend area, often referred to as "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies." Once you arrive at the Cades Cove Picnic Area, you transition from car travel to hiking. The Anthony Creek Trail itself is a popular route, and while it involves a steady ascent, it is generally considered a manageable hike for those with a reasonable level of fitness. The trail is well-trodden, passing through beautiful hemlock and rhododendron forests, with several crossings of Anthony Creek, adding to the scenic appeal. Given its location within a national park, the trail and approach to Backcountry Camp 09 are well-marked, though proficiency with maps and navigation is always recommended for backcountry trips. This accessible starting point, combined with the relative proximity to the park's entrance, makes Backcountry Camp 09 an attractive option for Tennesseans seeking a deep wilderness experience without an excessively long drive or overly strenuous approach.

As a designated backcountry campsite within a national park, Backcountry Camp 09 offers fundamental services designed to facilitate a primitive, leave-no-trace camping experience. These services are minimal by design, emphasizing self-sufficiency and environmental preservation, which is characteristic of true wilderness camping.

• Designated Campsite: The site is a marked location for camping, indicating a permissible area to set up tents. Reviewers note it "sproul's pretty far" and has multiple areas for tents, though finding a perfectly level spot might require some searching.
• Multiple Fire Pits: Visitors have observed "at least four fire pits," providing designated areas for campfires. It is crucial to remember that fires are only allowed in existing fire rings, and campers should only use dead and down wood found on the ground.
• Bear Cables: A vital service for backcountry safety, the campsite is equipped with bear cables. All odorous items, including food, trash, and scented toiletries, must be hung on these cables to deter bears and other wildlife, ensuring both human and animal safety.
• Water Access: Located "right beside a river with easy access to fresh water," the site offers a natural water source. However, it is imperative that all water collected from the creek be filtered or treated before consumption, as it is not potable without purification.
• Seclusion: While not a tangible service, the site's layout, with one or two particularly "secluded" spots by large boulders, provides a high degree of privacy and a true sense of being immersed in the wilderness, as highlighted by visitors.
• Waste Disposal Guidelines: While there are no facilities, the park requires human waste to be disposed of at least 100 feet from any campsite, shelter, water source, or trail, buried in a hole at least 6 inches deep. All trash must be packed out.

The features and highlights of Backcountry Camp 09 truly capture the essence of a raw, authentic Great Smoky Mountains experience, appealing directly to those Tennesseans who crave solitude and an unvarnished connection with nature.

• Riverside Location: A major draw is its direct proximity to Anthony Creek. This offers not only a convenient water source (after purification) but also the soothing sounds of the flowing water, which greatly enhances the peaceful atmosphere.
• Natural Swimming Pools: A delightful highlight, especially during warmer months, is the presence of "nice pools of water" in Anthony Creek, perfect for cooling off after a hike. Visitors are encouraged to "bring a swim suit."
• Authentic Backcountry Challenge: The site provides a genuine primitive camping experience. While finding perfectly level ground for tents might be a slight challenge, this aspect adds to the authentic backcountry feel, appealing to those who prefer a less manicured camping environment.
• Secluded "Boulder" Area: As noted by a visitor, the area "on the left by the big Boulder" offers a particularly "secluded" spot with its "own bear cables," presenting an ideal, private setting within the larger campsite for smaller groups.
• Abundant Wildlife: Being deep within the national park, the site offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, though proper food storage (using bear cables) is paramount to prevent unwanted animal encounters.
• Minimal Light Pollution: Far from urban centers, the night sky at Backcountry Camp 09 is likely to be incredibly dark, offering spectacular opportunities for stargazing, a truly mesmerizing feature for city dwellers.
• Immersive Forest Environment: The campsite is surrounded by dense forest, providing a sense of being truly enveloped by nature. While some areas might have "small growth" covering parts, the overall feel is one of deep wilderness.
• Access to Extensive Trail Network: Backcountry Camp 09 serves as a great base for further exploration of the vast trail network in the Great Smoky Mountains, with the Bote Mountain Trail junction nearby offering connections to other popular areas.

For those planning a backcountry adventure to Backcountry Camp 09, it is crucial to understand that this is a primitive site within a national park, and reservations are required. Direct contact for individual backcountry sites is handled by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Backcountry Information Office.

Address: Backcountry Camp 09 is located on Anthony Creek Trail, Townsend, TN 37882, USA. Please note this is a wilderness location and not a physical office or visitor center.

For reservations and specific inquiries regarding backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including Backcountry Camp 09, please use the following:

Backcountry Information Office Phone: (865) 436-1297 (preferred method of contact for trip planning questions).

This office is generally open for phone calls daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Eastern Time). Reservations for backcountry campsites must typically be made in advance, either online through Recreation.gov or by calling the specific backcountry reservation line for the park (which can be confirmed via the main park website). It is highly recommended to plan your trip well in advance, check the latest park regulations, bear safety guidelines, and trail conditions before departing.

In conclusion, Backcountry Camp 09 on Anthony Creek Trail offers an authentic and rewarding wilderness camping experience perfectly suited for Tennessee locals. Its location within the majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park, accessible via a manageable hike from the popular Cades Cove area, makes it an ideal destination for those seeking to truly disconnect and immerse themselves in nature. For Tennesseans, this site represents a tangible opportunity to engage with the natural heritage of their home state in a profound way, far from the typical tourist routes.

The primitive services, including designated campsites with fire pits and essential bear cables, coupled with the unparalleled natural features like direct access to Anthony Creek's refreshing pools and the serene forest environment, create a truly memorable outdoor adventure. While it demands self-sufficiency and a readiness for basic amenities, these very aspects contribute to its appeal for those who cherish genuine backcountry experiences. It’s a place where the sounds of the city are replaced by the murmur of the creek and the rustle of leaves, and where the night sky offers a brilliant display of stars. For Tennessee residents yearning for a quiet, challenging, and deeply fulfilling escape into the heart of the Smokies, Backcountry Camp 09 is not just a campsite; it's an invitation to experience the wild beauty of their state at its most pure and unadulterated. Plan your adventure, embrace the wild, and discover the serene magic that awaits at Backcountry Camp 09.

Backcountry Camp 09

Anthony Creek Trail, Townsend, TN 37882, USA