How to Find the Troll Bridge in the Smoky Mountains

Tucked just off the Little River Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Elkmont Historic District, the Troll Bridge is a moss-covered stone arch that looks like it belongs in a fairytale — and most visitors never find it. Here's exactly how to get there, what to see while you're in the area, and why it's worth making the trip from a Gatlinburg cabin rental.

What Is the Troll Bridge?

The Elkmont Troll Bridge is a small stone arch bridge, covered in thick green moss, spanning a narrow creek in the Elkmont community area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was built as part of the original Elkmont community — once a logging camp and later a retreat community for wealthy Knoxville residents in the early 1900s — and has been preserved and restored by the National Park Service.

The bridge is not marked on official park maps and is not on any signed trail — which is why most visitors walk right past it. The combination of the unmarked location, the moss, the creek, and the forested remnants of the old Elkmont community around it creates the specific whimsical atmosphere that's made this spot a Smokies hidden gem worth seeking out.

How to Get to the Troll Bridge — Step by Step

Elkmont Historic District, Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Approximately 8 miles from Gatlinburg | Free to enter | Park is open year-round

Step 1: Drive from Gatlinburg to Elkmont. From Gatlinburg, take US-441 west toward Sugarlands Visitor Center (about 2 miles). At the visitor center intersection, turn left toward Cades Cove on Little River Road. Drive approximately 4.5–5 miles and watch for the Elkmont Campground sign on your left.

Step 2: Park at the Little River Trailhead. Follow the Elkmont Campground road to the day parking area near the campground entrance, adjacent to the Little River Trailhead. Parking is available here during daylight hours.

Step 3: Start the Little River Trail. From the trailhead, begin walking along the Little River Trail — a wide, well-maintained path shaded by trees with the sound of the river alongside. The trail is flat and easy for all ages.

Step 4: Find the spur trail at about 100 feet. This is the key detail: after only about 100 feet on the Little River Trail, look for a small, unmarked path veering off to the right into the woods. It's easy to miss — go slowly and look carefully. If you reach the old Elkmont cottage ruins, you've gone too far.

Step 5: Follow the stone walls. The narrow side path leads into the woods. You'll begin to see old stone walls along the path — remnants of the original Elkmont community buildings. Follow the stone walls and the path will bring you directly to the bridge.

Step 6: Arrive at the Troll Bridge. A graceful stone arch, covered in deep green moss, crossing a small creek. The bridge has been fully restored by the National Park Service and is sturdy enough to stand on. This is your photo opportunity — the soft light filtering through the tree canopy makes for particularly good photos in the morning hours.

What Else to See in the Elkmont Area

Elkmont Ghost Town. After the national park was established in the 1930s, Elkmont's cottage owners were allowed to remain in their homes on lifetime leases. When the leases expired in 1992, the buildings were abandoned and fell into disrepair — earning the neighborhood the name "Ghost Town." The National Park Service has since restored several structures, including the Levi Trentham cabin, one of the oldest buildings in the Smokies. Stone chimneys and foundations throughout the area mark the locations of structures that have since been removed. Walking through the Elkmont Historic District alongside the Little River is a genuinely evocative piece of Appalachian history that most park visitors never see.

Little River Trail. The full Little River Trail runs 4.9 miles roundtrip and is one of the most pleasant river-walk trails in the park — flat, shaded, and beautifully forested. Extending the Troll Bridge trip into a full morning hike along the trail is easy and rewarding at any season.

Synchronous fireflies. In late May, Elkmont is one of the best locations in the world to view synchronous fireflies — the only firefly species in North America that synchronizes its light patterns across thousands of individuals simultaneously. The National Park Service runs a ticketed vehicle permit system during the annual viewing event. If your trip coincides with this window, it's one of the most unusual natural events available anywhere in the eastern United States.

Tips for Visiting the Troll Bridge

Go early in the morning. Morning light through the tree canopy produces the best photos of the moss-covered bridge. Morning visits also mean fewer people on the trail and the particular quiet of the national park before midday crowds arrive.

Wear sturdy shoes. The spur path to the bridge is narrow and can be uneven or damp. The main Little River Trail is easy and wide; the side path requires a little more attention to footing.

Check the parking situation. Elkmont Campground is the most popular campground in the national park and fills quickly in summer and fall. Day parking at the trailhead is available but can fill on peak weekends. Arrive before 9 AM on fall weekends to be safe.

Follow Leave No Trace principles. The Elkmont Historic District is a protected area. Don't remove stones, moss, or any materials from the bridge or the surrounding ruins. Don't climb on or vandalize the bridge. Leave it exactly as you found it for the next person to discover.

There is no fee to enter the national park from the Gatlinburg entrance or Sugarlands Visitor Center, though a $5 daily parking tag is required at developed facilities. Check nps.gov/grsm for current conditions and any special permits required for peak periods.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Troll Bridge in the Smoky Mountains?

In the Elkmont Historic District of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, approximately 8 miles from Gatlinburg. Take Little River Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Elkmont Campground sign, park at the Little River Trailhead, walk about 100 feet on the Little River Trail, and look for an unmarked side path on the right. Follow the stone walls to reach the bridge.

How long is the hike to the Troll Bridge?

The Troll Bridge is reached in just a few minutes from the Little River Trailhead — about 100 feet on the main trail plus a short walk on the spur path. It's one of the most accessible hidden gems in the park, manageable for all ages and fitness levels. The full Little River Trail runs 4.9 miles roundtrip if you want to extend the trip.

Is the Troll Bridge marked on park maps?

No — the Troll Bridge is not on official park maps or on any signed trail, which is why it's considered a hidden gem. The directions above and the key detail of the unmarked side trail at about 100 feet on the Little River Trail are how to find it.

What is the Elkmont Ghost Town?

Elkmont was once a logging camp and resort community in the early 1900s. When the national park was established, residents could remain in their homes on lifetime leases. After those leases expired in 1992, the structures were abandoned — earning the area the nickname "Ghost Town." The NPS has since restored several buildings, and the old stone chimneys and foundations throughout the area make for a fascinating piece of Appalachian history alongside the Troll Bridge visit.