About Indian Grave Gap Trail
Indian Grave Gap Trail is a backcountry connector in the hills above Cades Cove. It runs roughly 3.6 miles with about 1,050 feet of climbing in the uphill direction and ends at a junction with the Crooked Arm Ridge and Scott Mountain trails. It is most often used as part of longer loops on the north side of the cove.
The hike
The trail passes through hardwood forest and over a gap. It is not a destination with a famous view; it is a way to string together a quiet loop. Plan with a trail map and check current conditions, since the NPS has closed part of the neighboring Scott Mountain Trail.
When to go
Spring and fall are best. Summer is warm.
Getting there
Access is from the Cades Cove side; confirm the trailhead on a park map or at the Cades Cove Visitor Center before you go. 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. The NPS lists the Scott Mountain Trail as closed from campsite #6 to Schoolhouse Gap; see the closures page before planning a loop.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Abrams Falls: a 5-mile round trip to a 25-foot waterfall
- Cades Cove Nature Trail: an easy loop of about 0.8 miles
- Rich Mountain Loop: a strenuous circuit of about 8.5 miles above the cove
Planning and safety
Allow about two miles per hour on rolling mountain trail, then add time for photos, snacks and rest. Start by mid-morning at the latest so you finish with daylight, and decide on a turnaround time before you leave the car.
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 Indian Grave Gap Trail?
- Indian Grave Gap Trail is 3.6 miles one way, with about 1,050 feet of climbing. It is rated moderate.
- 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.
