Hiking The Elkmont Nature Trail In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Elkmont Nature Trail is a short and scenic 0.8-mile loop located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with just 100 feet of elevation gain, making it an easy and enjoyable walk for all ages.
However, pets are not allowed on the trail, so furry friends will need to sit this one out.
Just before you reach the Elkmont Campground check-in building, look for the turnoff for Little River Road/ Elkmont Road. Follow the road till you see the parking lot for the trailhead. The official GPS coordinates are 35.6578, -83.58055.
Before you begin, consider picking up an interpretive trail guide booklet from the visitor center to enrich your walk.
The trail begins along an old logging railroad bed, then winds through a small wetland before ending in a peaceful pine-oak forest. Laurel and pine trees arch overhead, creating a serene canopy and offering a glimpse into the park’s diverse ecosystem.
Wildlife is abundant along the trail!
Keep your eyes and ears open for the downy woodpecker, a year-round resident, and other feathered friends hiding in the branches. You might also spot squirrels, chipmunks, or even a white-tailed deer quietly moving through the underbrush.
In spring, look for the white blossoms of Dog Hobble (also known as “dug hobble”) and a variety of colorful wildflowers. By late June and early July, tunnels of rhododendron burst into bloom, filling the trail with pink and white flowers.
After your hike, take a short drive down the road to Daisy Town, a historic district within Elkmont.
Here, you’ll find a collection of vacation cottages built between 1910 and 1935. Interpretive signs offer background on the area’s rich past, and you’re free to step inside the preserved homes for a closer look.
Whether you’re exploring the area or staying at Elkmont Campground, the Elkmont Nature Trail is a perfect quick stop to experience the beauty and history of the Smokies.
A valid parking tag is required if you plan to stay more than 15 minutes—these can be purchased outside any park visitor center.
