About Cosby Nature Trail
The Cosby Nature Trail is a short, easy loop near the campground on the quiet northeast corner of the park. It is about 0.6 miles, mostly flat, and takes under half an hour.
The hike
The path winds through hardwoods near the creek and links with other Cosby trails if you want more. It is a good first walk for kids.
When to go
Spring and fall are lovely; summer is shady.
Getting there
Cosby is off I-40 exit 435 via TN-32. You need a parking tag for any stop over 15 minutes in the park. It costs $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful are not accepted. Buy it at a visitor center or on recreation.gov, and display the physical tag.
Know before you go
Pets are not allowed. See the Cosby area page.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Ramsey Cascades: an 8-mile round trip to a tall waterfall
- Porters Creek Trail: about 4 miles round trip to Fern Branch Falls
- Hen Wallow Falls: a 4.3-mile round trip near Cosby
Planning and safety
This is an easy outing, so it works for an hour or a whole afternoon. Keep the pace relaxed, bring a snack, and plan a nearby stop to make a half-day of it. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and the light is softest early and late.
Check conditions the morning you go. The park posts trail and road closures and cautions, and storms, ice and Hurricane Helene repairs can change access with little notice. Carry water, a rain layer and a map, keep a safe distance from bears and elk, and pack out everything you bring in.
Good to know
- How long is Cosby Nature Trail?
- Cosby Nature Trail is 0.6 miles one way. It is rated easy.
- Are dogs allowed on this trail?
- No. Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are allowed only on the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
- Do I need a parking tag to hike here?
- A Park It Forward parking tag ($5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entry is free, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace the tag.
