About Turkeypen Ridge Trail
Turkeypen Ridge Trail is one of the quieter hikes near Cades Cove. It runs about 3.6 miles along a ridge from Laurel Creek Road to the Schoolhouse Gap Trail, with only about 370 feet of net climbing but several short ups and downs. It joins the Lead Cove and Finley Cane trails at its south end, so you can build longer loops.
The hike
The trail is a mix of old roadbed and narrower path through mixed hardwood and pine forest. In spring you may see wildflowers, and in fall the ridge is colorful with fewer people than the cove.
When to go
Spring and fall are best. Summer is warm but shady.
Getting there
The trailhead is on Laurel Creek Road, the main road 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. Bring water and a map; the area has little cell service. See the Cades Cove area page for road conditions.
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.
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 Turkeypen Ridge Trail?
- Turkeypen Ridge Trail is 3.6 miles one way, with about 370 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.
