Membership Requirements and Dues:

Prospective members should be at least 16 years of age and should participate in at least three scheduled Club hikes before applying for membership. Visitors automatically receive a membership application upon the completion of three hikes, although this does not imply an obligation to become a member. Also, two trail maintenance work trips will make an individual eligible for membership.

Annual dues for "regular membership" are $14; dues for additional family members are $1 each. A copy of the current SMHC Handbook and the monthly Club Newsletter are sent to regular members. Two additional classes of membership have been established which augment the funds available for conservation work: "supporting membership" at $20 covers an entire family, as does "life membership" at $500.

Upon completing your hiking and/or trail maintenance requirements, please print out the SMHC Membership Brochure/Application, fill it out, and send it and your check to:

Membership Applications
Smoky Mtns Hiking Club
P.O. Box 1454
Knoxville, TN 37909-1454

Your dues cover the annual operating expenses of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club. All Board members serve on a volunteer basis and do not receive any compensatiion. We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Your dues also help support the work of the SMHC and Appalachian Trail Maintainers' Committee, as well as a number of sister outdoor and conservation organizations, such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. We encourage all members to consider joining each year as supporting members, and also encourage members and the general public to make contributions to the SMHC annually in support of our trail maintenance and conservation activities.

Membership Benefits:

Club members receive a discount of 10% on purchases made at River Sports Outfitters, with locations at 2918 Sutherland Avenue and 11808 Northshore Drive in Knoxville.

Club members also receive a discount for pontoon ferry services at Fontana Marina, located on Fontana Lake in North Carolina, just over the ridge from the dam access. Details are being finalized, but currently they are offering round trip ferry service to Hazel Creek for $30.00 per person for 10 people or less; and $15.00 per person for more than 10. The regular charge, as of January 2008 is $50 roundtrip per person minimum.

Both businesses require proof of membership. You may bring either your SMHC 2008 handbook, or photocopies of both the handbook cover and the directory page upon which you are listed as a member.

The Board of Directors is currently discussing printing and issuing membership cards; these will be announced when available.

Club Newsletter Subscriptions for Non-Members:

Any non-member may subscribe to the Club Newsletter by sending $10 to Box 1454, Knoxville, TN 37901. Subscriptions ordered before September 1st will expire at the end of the year. Subscriptions ordered after September 1 will expire at the end of the following year. A current SMHC Handbook may be obtained for an additional $4.00. Both costs may be deducted from membership dues if the application for membership is submitted before the end of the subscription year.