Camping Registration

If you do not see your campsite or parking area listed –
please enter that info in the “Questions, Comments, Extra Information” Section.

Hikers must be off trail and at their designated campsite by dark.

North Chick and Laurel Snow gates are locked from 7pm until morning.

BackCountry camping on the Cumberland Trail is currently free.

Suggested donation is $5 per person.

All donations help to maintain the Cumberland Trail and the campsites.

If you register to camp at Laurel Snow, you have to be inside Laurel Snow before 7 pm EST or dark! THERE IS NO HIKING IN TO CAMPSITE AFTER DARK.

ATTENTION:

Laurel Snow State Natural Area back country camping will be managed by Tennessee State Parks. Campsite Reservations | Cumberland Trail State Park, TN (tnstateparks.com) beginning July 1, 2024. You must reserve a spot to camp. This will require a reservation & fee for back country camping in designated camping areas. Until that time-send your camping information to cumberland.trail@tn.gov (name, number in camping party, campsite, vehicle make and model & tag number)

Devils Racetrack to Eagle Bluff Trail is currently closed.

The Cumberland Trail park rangers ask your cooperation in registering your vehicle if you plan to use overnight parking accommodations while enjoying the trail. Simply complete and submit the form below in advance of your excursion.

If another vehicle is parked at a second trailhead destination, please fill out and submit a separate form. Please provide registration as soon as possible prior to your trip.

Name *

Email *

Mobile Phone Number *

Approved Campsite Destination *

Frozen Head SP - Bird Mountain Register Here: Bird Mountain - Backcountry Campsite
*For help locating campsites & parking areas, visit our interactive map at this link: Cumberland Trail Online Map.

Parking Location *

Arrival Date *

Departure Date *

Number of Hikers in Your Party *

Level of Experience of the Most Experienced Hiker *

Emergency Contact Name *

Emergency Contact Phone Number *

Vehicle State *

Vehicle License Number *

Enter n/a if you will not be leaving a vehicle overnight.

Vehicle Description (Please describe at least make & color) *

Enter n/a if you will not be leaving a vehicle overnight.

Questions, Comments, Extra Information?

reCAPTCHA

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Be sure to check current trail conditions as you are making plans, to be sure that trail areas are open & accessible. View all here:

Trail Conditions

Need Help Finding a Campsite or Trailhead?
Use our Interactive Map:

Interactive Map

Herb Roberts President

I was born in a small cabin in the woods…..just kidding! I grew up in East Nashville graduating from East High School in 1964. I then attended MTSU, graduating in 1969 with a degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation with minors in Secondary Education and Biology, with the prospect of teaching Physical Education and coaching track and field. However, the war in Vietnam was raging, so I joined the US Air Force in 1969. I spent 4 years active duty, 39 months of that in Turkey, serving as a Radio Intercept Analyst.

After my discharge, I relocated back to Tennessee and started working for Tennessee State Parks. I worked for State Parks for 40 years, serving as a Park Ranger at Natchez Trace State Park, Big Cypress Tree Natural Area and the Harpeth River State Scenic River. I then served as the Ranger-Naturalist at Fall Creek Falls State Park for 4 years, and then transferred to Sycamore Shoals Historic Area as the Park Superintendent in 1983. I served as the Superintendent for 20 years before taking the Regional Manager’s job for East Tennessee with State Parks and helped to coordinate and manage the 16 State Parks in East TN for the last 10 years of my career. Along the way, starting at Big Cypress, I was able to finish another BS degree in Natural Resources Management and Park and Recreation Administration from UT-Martin in 1981 by attending classes on days off and nights, and finishing the degree while working at Fall Creek Falls and attending Tennessee Tech University. So, I ended up with a lot of BS!

I retired from State Parks in 2012. I have served on the Board of the Friends for many years, and served the past few years as President. My wife Terri and I live just outside Maryville, and I have enjoyed hiking in the Smokies since retirement, completing all the hiking trails in the Park. I also have had the opportunity to hike many more State Park trails, and I especially enjoy hiking on the Cumberland Trail with my friends. I have always enjoyed the outdoors, and am very grateful to have had the opportunity to promote a love of nature and history with Park visitors during my career with Tennessee State Parks, and my advocacy for the Cumberland Trail and the Friends.

Friends of the

Cumberland
Trail