Elkmont Nature Trail
Elkmont · 0.7-mile loop, easy
A short interpretive loop that crosses Mids Branch on a footbridge and follows an old logging railbed, with numbered markers keyed to a trail brochure. The detail that sticks is the daffodils — they still come up each spring where a house once stood. The trail closes whenever Little River Road does.
The Elkmont Nature Trail is one of the easiest and most interesting short walks in the Great Smoky Mountains. This gentle loop of less than a mile sits right next to Elkmont Campground and follows the path of an old logging railroad.
Along the way, it shows how a forest that was once heavily logged has grown back. It's a perfect choice for families with young kids, anyone who wants a quiet walk in the woods, or hikers looking for a relaxing warm-up before a bigger trail.
Elkmont Nature Trail at a glance
Climb: about 100 feet
Difficulty: easy
Trailhead: Elkmont, about two miles off Little River Road, near Elkmont Campground
Pets: not allowed on this trail
Finding the Elkmont Nature Trail trailhead
From Sugarlands Visitor Center just outside Gatlinburg, take Little River Road for about five miles and turn left onto Elkmont Road at the signs. You'll pass the Laurel Falls trailhead on the way. The Elkmont Nature Trail trailhead is about two miles down Elkmont Road, near the entrance to Elkmont Campground, with a small parking area.
Bring a parking tag — a national park parking tag is required for any vehicle parked longer than fifteen minutes. See our guide to where to buy a Smokies parking pass.
Check the road — the trail closes when Little River Road is closed between Sugarlands and the Townsend Y, so check the national park's road status before you go.
What you'll see on the trail
Thirteen stops along the way
The Elkmont Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail with thirteen numbered markers. A brochure that explains each stop is often available at the trailhead or at park visitor centers. It's worth picking one up, especially if you're hiking with kids.
An old logging railroad
Soon after crossing a footbridge over Mids Branch, the trail follows the bed of an old logging railroad. Before this area became part of the national park, trains hauled timber out of these woods. Today the forest has grown back so thickly that the old rail line is easy to miss without the markers.
Signs of an old homesite
Look for daffodils blooming in spring near a former homesite. Flowers like these are a common clue that a family once lived on the land, long after the house itself has disappeared.
Changing forest
The loop climbs gently onto a drier slope with pine and mountain laurel, then winds back down through switchbacks to the parking area. Spring brings wildflowers, laurel, and rhododendron in bloom.
Make a day of it at Elkmont
The nature trail is a great introduction to the area, but Elkmont has plenty more to explore. Walk through the restored cabins of the historic district and learn about Elkmont's past as a logging town and summer getaway in our guide to the Elkmont ghost town, including the cabins of Millionaire's Row. Kids love finding the troll bridge, and early summer brings the famous Elkmont synchronous fireflies. For everything in one place, see our full Elkmont guide.
Nearby along Little River Road, Laurel Falls is a paved, family-friendly waterfall walk, and The Sinks is a roadside waterfall that's easy to visit. Find more ideas in our list of Smoky Mountain hiking trails.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Elkmont Nature Trail?
About 0.7 miles. It's a loop, so you finish back at the parking area.
Is the Elkmont Nature Trail easy?
Yes. It's one of the easiest trails in the park, with only about a hundred feet of climbing.
Where is the Elkmont Nature Trail trailhead?
In Elkmont, about two miles down Elkmont Road from Little River Road, near Elkmont Campground. It's roughly a seven-mile drive from Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Is it good for kids?
Very. It's short and easy, and the numbered stops keep young hikers interested along the way.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs aren't allowed on the Elkmont Nature Trail.
Elkmont is a short drive from our Gatlinburg cabins, making it an easy morning outing before lunch in town. Our cabins near the national park keep the trails close, and our family cabins have room for everyone. After a day outdoors, relax in one of our hot tub cabins, and if the dog is coming along, our pet-friendly cabins welcome them too.