Per US Forest Service/Watauga Ranger District, this closure notice has been lifted!!
On October 27, 2022, the US Forest Service announced the following: NOTICE – CAMPING IS CLOSED On the Appalachian Trail from the VA-TN border south to the Low Gap-Hwy 421 Intersection until further notice. DUE TO AGGRESSIVE BEAR ACTIVITY.
Because of a reported human encounter with an aggressive bear around Abingdon Gap Shelter (NOBO mile 460.5), the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is closed to camping between Low Gap/U.S. 421 (mile 455.7) and the Tennessee/Virginia state line (mile 467.0).
This section is similar to the camping closure notice experienced in 2021. Far Out app has reported bear sightings around Abington Gap Shelter in June and September,
The USFS camping closure between U.S. 321 (mile 428.6) and Wilbur Dam Road (mile 433.0) is still in effect.
Please take necessary precautions to limit risk of encountering a bear, Hikers should camp 200 feet away from where their food and “smellables” are stored for their own safety. For most adults, 200 feet is about 80 steps. Bear canisters should be sealed correctly and not stored in shelters. (Certified list) Proper use for Ursacks are to tie securely to the trunk of a tree. (Link to their How to Use page) For more information about bear safety, see ATC’s safety page on bears where there is a video for PCT Method for hanging your food.