Is Pisgah National Forest The Next Mecca For Bikepacking?

Is Pisgah National Forest The Next Mecca For Bikepacking? 

If you’re into bikepacking, you know keeping your gear to a minimum is crucial. What better way to reduce your load than camping in backpacking shelters? If you’re unaware of the multiple shelters available in Pisgah National Forest, we’re here to shed a little light on them!

Butter Gap Shelter
This shelter sits near the base of Cedar Mountain, a top climbing spot.

The shelter is big enough to sleep around 8 people, with a water source nearby and fire ring.

To access, you’ll need to hike a bike a short distance down the MST just past Butter Gap trail.

Farlow Gap Shelter
Sitting at nearly a mile high elevation, it’s hard to capture the scale of this shelter that could sleep at least a dozen comfortably.

It’s just a quick scramble up a hillside along the FS road leading to the Farlow Gap Trail summit, so you’ll really have to earn this one. Expect far colder temps up here, with high wind and snow possible in the spring.

Buckhorn Gap
The shelter on the Buckhorn Gap trail leading up to the Clawhammer + Black Mountain Trail junction looks more like a traditional Appalachian Trail shelter, with a covered cooking area, raised bunk platforms, and plenty of room for around 8 people plus gear. There’s a fire ring and water source as well. This shelter is tucked into a little valley protected from the wind, but still a decent way up the mountain so plan ahead for colder temps.

Have you stayed in any of these? We’re planning on a feature of a multi-day bikepacking trip once the weather warms up. Get on the email list for updates!