About Lead Cove Trail
Lead Cove Trail is a short, steady connector on the west side of the park. It climbs about 1.8 miles and roughly 1,100 feet from Laurel Creek Road up to the Bote Mountain Trail. It forms part of the NPS's Finley Cane, Bote Mountain and Lead Cove loop, a 6.9-mile route that shows off the biodiversity of Bote Mountain at several elevations.
The hike
The trail climbs through hardwood forest with a few switchbacks and passes small streams. In spring wildflowers are the draw. Most hikers use it as part of the loop rather than an out-and-back, since the Bote Mountain end is a junction, not a view.
When to go
Spring is the best for flowers; fall for color. Summer is warm on the lower stretch.
Getting there
The trailhead is on Laurel Creek Road near Cades Cove, shared with the Turkeypen Ridge and Finley Cane trails. 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. Bring water. The NPS notes that trail conditions can change; check the closures page.
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
Give yourself more time than the mileage suggests. Rocks, roots, stream crossings and short climbs all slow the pace, and most people stop often. An early start gives you the quietest trail and the best chance at a parking space.
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 Lead Cove Trail?
- Lead Cove Trail is 1.8 miles one way, with about 1,100 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.
