Roan High Knob Shelter

At 6,285 feet, the Roan High Knob Shelter is the highest shelter found along the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail. It is also known as Fire Warden Cabin as it was originally built to house the fire warden who manned a nearby fire tower (long since removed). Built in 1933, the shelter underwent renovations in 1980 and again in 2003. As AT shelters go, this one is unique (some might even say luxurious) with its two stories and 15 person capacity. Most of the more than 250 back country AT shelters located along the length of the trail are much smaller (usually accommodating only 6 people) and more primitive (with one side open to the elements). To see a map with photographs of AT shelters in this region, click here. More on AT camping and shelters here. To the right are the views of the interior of the cabin (click to enlarge).

Directions: Take Route 19E to the town of Roan Mountain, turn onto Route 143 and travel 12.8 miles to the TN/NC state line (Carver's Gap). On your way up the mountain, you'll pass through the Roan Mountain State Park. Eventually, you leave the state park and enter the national forest. Park at Carver's Gap and take the AT approx. 1.5 miles up (heading south on the AT, away from the Balds) -- or turn right at Carver's Gap and continue driving to the Old Cloudland Hotel Site (this road is closed during the winter months) and hike north (toward the balds) on the AT a short distance (approx. 1/2 mile). The shelter is located one tenth of a mile off the AT on well-marked, blue-blazed trail. Click here for a map of the Roan Mountain area.