Camping on Mount Sterling

Those who prefer a degree of solitude can often find it in the northeastern part of the Smokies. Some of the most remote sections of the park are here. A favorite destination is Mount Sterling, a peak over 5000 ft high with a fire tower and campsite at the summit.

The summit can be reached from Big Creek Campground via the Baxter Creek Trail, which climbs 4200 feet in just over 6 miles, making it one of the most strenuous in the park. A much easier trail follows the ridge from a gravel road along the park boundary. Other possible approaches are from Cataloochie Cove (a horse trail) or from Big Creek Campground via Walnut Bottoms.

The extensive forests, including some of the park's biggest trees, create some of the park's brightest colors in the fall. Mt. Sterling can be somewhat crowded at that time, but not nearly as bad as more accessible parts of the park.

The views from the fire tower are some of the park's best. If you are lucky, your could catch a stunning sunset over Mt. Guyot, the park's second largest peak, after Clingman's Dome. Views to the east extend into North Carolina, all the way to Mt. Pisgah near Ashville.

The summit of Mt. Sterling has the reputation for being one of the park's coldest spots. I have seen it sleet there in early September. Storms can move in fast. On one club trip, several people decided they didn't need to carry their tents up Baxter Creek Trail. They were treated to a night-long rainstorm.

Reservations are required for the campsite at the summit. They can be made 30 days in advance through the Backcountry Office.

Great Smoky Mountains