About Smokemont Loop Trail
Smokemont Loop Trail is a local favorite for a half-day on the Cherokee side of the park. The loop trail itself is about 3.8 miles and climbs roughly 1,300 feet before dropping to the Bradley Fork Trail, which brings you back to the campground. Counting the return, the circuit is about 5 to 6 miles.
The hike
The route starts in the campground, climbs through hardwood forest to a ridge, and then descends to Bradley Fork, where the grade is gentle. The upper part is quiet and mostly forest; there are few overlooks.
When to go
Spring and fall are best. Summer is humid and shady.
Getting there
Smokemont Campground is off US-441 about 3 miles north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Plan on a parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual) if you will be parked longer than 15 minutes. Federal passes do not substitute for it, and a screenshot will not do; the tag must be displayed in the vehicle.
Know before you go
Pets are not allowed. Bring water and a map; junctions are not always signed clearly. See the Smokemont page.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Oconaluftee River Trail: an easy riverside walk that allows dogs
- Kephart Prong Trail: a 4-mile round trip to a CCC camp
- Chasteen Creek Cascade: a 3.6-mile round trip
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.
Cell service is spotty across much of the park, so download a map ahead of time and tell someone where you are headed. Stay on the trail, keep dogs and other pets on the few trails where they are allowed, and give wildlife plenty of room. Trail conditions are posted on the park's closures page.
Good to know
- How long is Smokemont Loop Trail?
- Smokemont Loop Trail is 3.8 miles one way, with about 1,300 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.
