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A short, interpretive nature trail highlighting the human and ecological history of Elkmont.


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Map Key

0.7

Miles

1.1

KM

Loop

2,253' 687 m

High

2,158' 658 m

Low

109' 33 m

Up

106' 32 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Wildflowers

Family Friendly This trail highlights the human, ecological, and logging history of the area, so it provides the opportunity for an easy outing.

Closed when the Little River Road is closed from the Townsend Y to Sugarlands Visitor Center. For park road conditions, information can be found at twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps or by calling (865) 436-1200 and dialing extension 2, 2.

Description

The trailhead is located in Elkmont, about 2.0 miles from the Little River Road on the left.

The trail crosses Mids Branch via a footbridge and then follows an old railed that was used for logging before the area became a national park. This was a spur trail that followed Mids Branch and was used to get logs out of the area. The trail goes off to the right via a small footpath and drops to cross water from a small spring. While there are no signs of the homesite today, daffodils indicate that a homesite was once here. It's common in the Smokies to see daffodils where homesites once stood because residents wanted exotic flowers to surround their homes despite all of the natural wildflowers that surrounded them.

The trail follows along Mids Branch to a footbridge crossing at .3 mile. The trail curves left to a drier slope where pine and laurel dominate. The trail changes into switchbacks as it makes its way back to the trailhead parking area at .7 mile.

Along the way, there are 13 interpretive markers which correspond to an educational brochure that can be picked up at the trailhead or the visitors center. Enjoy exploring the area and learning about the various forces that have shaped the Elkmont area.

Flora & Fauna

Daffodils, laurel, rhododendron, and other wildflowers can be seen in the spring.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 6 votes

#12

in Elkmont

#24023

Overall
  3.5 from 6 votes
5 Star
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2 Star
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Trail Rankings

#12

in Elkmont

#465

in North Carolina

#24,023

Overall
27 Views Last Month
3,161 Since Sep 4, 2015
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Photos

The nature trail crosses the creek over a log bridge and then you start seeing markers providing information around the forest around you.
Dec 19, 2021 near Gatlinburg, TN
The trail runs along the hillside through the forest. Along the way, there are several log benches like the one on the left side of this photo.
Dec 19, 2021 near Gatlinburg, TN

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Check-Ins

May 31, 2023
Angie Griffard-Vaughn
Jun 23, 2022
Erik Grill
Nice trail 0.7mi — 0h 33m
Jul 12, 2021
Julie Christine
Jul 8, 2021
Amin Afrazi
Dec 10, 2020
Kim Shepherd
0.7mi
Sep 12, 2020
Johanna Erbe
Nice little hike in a circle. Numbers are listed on the side of the trail, but the paper holder was empty so we have no idea what the numbers meant.
Jul 29, 2020
Paige Davidson
Feb 16, 2020
Abra Sarah
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