About Gatlinburg Trail
The Gatlinburg Trail is the easy, friendly option in the Gatlinburg end of the park. The National Park Service describes it as a roughly 4-mile round trip (about 2 miles each way) along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River through cove hardwood forest, and one of the only dog- and bike-friendly trails in the park.
The walk
The trail follows the river with some sections on sidewalk and roadside, so it is not a wilderness walk. It is gentle and mostly flat. You can start at either end and shuttle back, or walk out and return. Dogs must be leashed and bikes stay on the trail.
When to go
Spring wildflowers and fall color are best, and winter is pleasant when higher trails are icy. In summer, mornings are cooler and quieter. Expect more people on weekends.
Getting there
The easiest start is the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area, a few minutes up Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg. A second trailhead is near the park entrance at the Gatlinburg end.
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
Bring water, bear awareness and a leash. Because the trail is close to town it stays busy, so go early for a quieter walk. Check the NPS trail conditions if a storm has come through.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Grotto Falls: a 2.6-mile round trip to a waterfall you can walk behind
- Rainbow Falls: a 5.6-mile round trip to an 80-foot waterfall
- Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail: a paved half-mile loop
Planning and safety
Because the walk is short and gentle, it suits families, first-time visitors and anyone with limited time. Mornings are calmer than afternoons, and a weekday visit makes parking easier.
Weather in the Smokies changes fast, and it is noticeably cooler as you climb. Bring a rain layer even on a sunny morning, wear shoes with good traction, and carry more water than you expect to need. Black bears live throughout the park, so stay at least 50 yards away, never feed wildlife and store food properly. The park's hiking safety guidance is worth a read before any trip.
Good to know
- How long is Gatlinburg Trail?
- Gatlinburg Trail is 2 miles one way (4.0 miles round trip). 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.
