Fontana Dam Shelter — Hotel in Robbinsville

Fontana Dam Shelter (“Fontana Hilton”) on the Appalachian Trail

After speaking to many Appalachian Trail hikers at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center, I’ve heard my fair share of shelter horror stories—some rugged and remote, others charming in their own rustic way. But the Fontana Dam Shelter, the hikers affectionately dubbed the “Fontana Hilton,” stands out as one of the best and most luxurious shelters on the entire trail. Unlike the typical small and often cramped AT shelters, Fontana Hilton offers generous sleeping space that can accommodate a large group of hikers without everyone being elbow-to-elbow. The shelter is well-constructed, solid, and thoughtfully designed. It even has a nearby tenting area with level ground, for those who prefer sleeping under the stars. This is where Fontana truly shines. Most AT shelters offer little more than a roof and a wooden platform, but here you’ll find real bathrooms (flush toilets!) and even hot/cold showers. There are also picnic tables—a rare treat at shelters—and a covered area where hikers can gather and socialize or cook out of the rain. There’s even a water spigot nearby, eliminating the need for long treks to fill up. The scenic beauty of Fontana Lake and the nearby dam is unmatched—few shelters on the AT can boast a view like this one. Thanks to its popularity and proximity to the dam visitor center, this shelter is regularly maintained and far cleaner than many others on the trail. The trash bins and general upkeep make it feel less “backcountry” and more like a well-loved hiker haven.

Final Verdict: Compared to the average AT shelter—which may be no more than a wooden lean-to with a muddy privy—the Fontana Dam Shelter (provided by and maintained by TVA) is an oasis. If all shelters were like this, the trail would feel a little more like home. Whether you’re pausing before the Smokies or simply need a restful night, the Fontana Hilton is a must-stop that sets the gold standard for trail shelters.

Trail Luxury with a View....

Arrived here on the afternoon of November 10, 1998 with impending thunderstorms that had been ripping up western Tennessee. I recall the hot showers were a welcome treat after a week on the trail. We had had a good meal at the Peppercorn restaurant, which apparently no longer exists if Google Maps is to be believed. I recall having to towel off with paper towels as we had brought no cotton ones along. Soon after our showers we were gathered in the main area and an entire cavalcade of thru-hikers arrived. First to arrive were "One Pole" and "Pre." Later came "MacGyver" and another whose name I had forgotten to write down in my travel journal. They all proceeded to catch up on times since they had parted company on the trail and exchanged knowledge of the fates of others...It turned out that MacGyver traveled pretty light, just food and his sleeping bag, the only items of any weight. He had frequently done 20+ miles and up to 35 miles in one day. I asked him why? "I don't know, its just a feeling sometimes to see how far you can go---if you work up to it; I didn't start out doing those...

This is easily one of the nicest shelters that I have stayed at on the AT. It has all of the amenities. The gnats and mosquitoes were a little bit of a pain in August, but not that bad. If you plan to tent camp, then it needs to be a free standing tent. There are a lot of tent pads, but they are all concrete. It was really nice waking up and using a real bathroom! This shelter has its own faucet, solar station for charging phones, a fire pit, shower, commodes, sinks, and even hot air blower to dry your hands. If you want a cold soft drink, you can walk about a half mile down to the visitor center at the dam. They have vending machine if they are closed, otherwise you can have ice cream, drinks or candy from the gift store. I would highly...