About Parson Branch Road Trail (Cades Cove)
Parson Branch Road is a rough, historic road, not a footpath, but it is a beloved back route. The 8-mile one-way gravel track starts at the end of Forge Creek Road near Cades Cove and ends at US-129 near the park's western boundary. The NPS seasonal road schedule lists it open from May 1 to Nov. 9 in 2026; Forge Creek Road is open March 6 to Dec. 31.
The hike
Expect a narrow road with several stream fords. High-clearance vehicles do best, and the road is one-way, so you cannot turn around once you are committed. Allow 45 minutes to an hour of driving.
When to go
Late spring and fall are best. Heavy rain makes the fords hard to pass.
Getting there
Reach Forge Creek Road from the Cades Cove Loop Road. From early May through September the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to cars on Wednesdays (May 6 to Sept. 30 in 2026), so pick another day unless you plan to bike in. Entry to the park is free, but a parking tag is required if you park more than 15 minutes: $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year. America the Beautiful and other federal passes do not count, and the tag has to be displayed in the vehicle.
Know before you go
Carry a spare tire, water, and offline maps. Check the seasonal roads page before you go.
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 Parson Branch Road Trail (Cades Cove)?
- Parson Branch Road Trail (Cades Cove) is 8 miles one way. 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.
