About Spence Field (via Bote Mountain Trail)
Spence Field is one of the best-known balds in the Smokies, a wide grassy meadow on the Appalachian Trail with views into Tennessee and North Carolina. The most direct way up from Cades Cove country is the Bote Mountain Trail, which climbs about 6.8 miles and 3,200 feet from Laurel Creek Road, so a round trip is roughly 13.6 miles and a very long day.
The hike
The lower trail follows an old roadbed, then climbs steadily through hardwood and higher forest to the AT junction. Spence Field has a backcountry shelter and a wide view, and Rocky Top, the knob made famous by the song, is roughly a mile farther along the AT. Many hikers make this a two-day trip. The Bote Mountain Trail page has more on the climb itself.
When to go
Late spring through fall. The bald is breezy and cool even in summer; winter can bring ice and deep snow.
Getting there
The trailhead is on Laurel Creek Road near Schoolhouse Gap, on the way to Cades Cove from Townsend. 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. Overnight trips need a backcountry permit. Bring layers and rain gear.
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
Treat this as a full-day commitment. Steep mountain trail often takes closer to one mile per hour on the climbs, so build in extra time. Start early, set a firm turnaround time, carry a headlamp, and tell someone your plan before you lose cell service.
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 Spence Field (via Bote Mountain Trail)?
- Spence Field (via Bote Mountain Trail) is 6.8 miles one way (13.6 miles round trip), with about 3,200 feet of climbing. It is rated strenuous.
- 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.
