Shelter Listing

The following are a list of shelters that are on Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club’s section of the Appalachian Trail. The shelters are listed in order of location, going from north to south.

Wilson Creek

Date Built: 1986
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0.3 miles
Description: The water source 0.3 miles North of the shelter is sometimes dry during periods of drought. Wilson Creek, 0.7 miles South, is more reliable.


Fullhardt Knob

Date Built: 1965
Capacity: 6
Distance from AT: 0.10 miles
Water Source: Cistern – 0 miles
Description: This is the last shelter on the Appalachian Trail to use a rain cistern. Rainwater is collected from the roof and stored in a large tank. A spigot just behind the shelter serves as the water source.


Lamberts Meadow

Date Built: 1972
Capacity: 6
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Stream – 0.05 miles
Description: This is the oldest shelter on APPA land … and it’s showing its age. The water supply is not reliable in late summer or during periods of drought. The water at the campsites 0.3 miles north of the shelter is slightly more reliable.


Campbell

Date Built: 1989
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0.1 miles
Description: The water supply is a short walk downhill. Not reliable during late summer or during periods of drought. It is possible to watch the sunset from the top of McAfee Knob and make it to this shelter if you hike quickly and leave right after sunset.


Catawba Mountain

Date Built: 1984
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0.1 miles
Description: The water source is downhill in front of the shelter. Not reliable during late summer or during periods of drought. There are overflow campsites just north of the shelter.


John’s Spring

Date Built: 2003
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0.25 miles
Description:  The water source is on a blue blaze that starts halfway to the outhouse and turns sharply right. It leads .25 miles to a water source that is not very reliable. The shelter is a memorial to John Haranzo, an avid AT hiker.


Pickle Branch

Date Built: 1980
Capacity: 6
Distance from AT: 0.20 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0.1 miles
Description: A long set of stairs lead down to Pickle Branch where several
springs join the creek. Usually reliable, you may need to walk downstream during times of drought.


Niday

Date Built: 2000
Capacity: 6
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Stream – 0.05 miles
Description: This is a smallish shelter with a reliable water supply.


Sarver Hollow

Date Built: 2002
Capacity: 12
Distance from AT: 0.25 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0.05 miles
Description: Built between February and August 2002 by RATC volunteers with much help from the USFS, this shelter is a memorial to Scott Marshall Riddick. The location is steeped with history, being the homeplace of Henry Sarver as far back as the 1850s. There are several cabin ruins and a small cemetery to the right of the shelter. An old springhouse serves as the water source. When dry, continue on the blue blaze for a secondary water source. The trail down to the shelter is very steep. This shelter has a covered eating area, skylights and a ghost named “George.”


Laurel Creek

Date Built: 1988
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Stream – 0.05 miles
Description: This shelter has a moldering privy. It works by creating a friendly environment for bacteria which break down the wastes. After each use, simply toss in a handful of leaves and duff from the forest floor. This shelter was originally located near the top of Kelly Knob where it was called “Big Pond Shelter.” It was moved to its current location in 1988 by the USMC and RATC volunteers.


War Spur

Date Built: 1965
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Stream – 0 miles
Description: Another cozy shelter spot with reliable water.


Bailey Gap

Date Built: 1965
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0.1 miles
Description: There is a tiny spring about 0.1 miles from the shelter but it goes dry very early each summer. The spring 0.3 miles south of the shelter is more reliable. Even it goes dry during periods of drought.


Pine Swamp Branch

Date Built: 2000
Capacity: 6
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Stream – 0.05 miles
Description: This is a memorial shelter to Trimpi. The stone construction, fireplace and four sleeping platforms make this a unique shelter in this area. The water source is reliable.


Doc’s Knob

Date Built: 1971
Capacity: 6
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Spring – 0 miles
Description: The spring at this cozy shelter setting is one of the first to go dry each summer… often in June. It has a deck with benches.


Wapiti

Date Built: 1980
Capacity: 8
Distance from AT: 0.1 miles
Water Source: Stream – 0.2 miles
Description: This prefab log cabin can be breezy in the wind. It’s worth the short walk to the pond, which is sometimes trashy.


Jenny Knob

Date Built: 2000
Capacity: 6
Distance from AT: 0 miles
Water Source: Stream – 0.25 miles
Description: The spring at this shelter sometimes goes dry during periods of drought. You can continue downstream and may find water. Turn back when you reach cow pasture, the Bland County Prison owns that land.