Gatlinburg Trail in Late Winter - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Gatlinburg Trail is an easy two mile walk from Sugarlands Visitor Center to the edge of Gatlinburg. The first ½ mile is not very scenic as it follows a concrete sidewalk from the visitor center past the park headquarters building before turning left on the gravel shoulder of Park Headquarters Road to the maintenance base. From here, the trail follows Fighting Creek and the West Prong Little Pigeon River downstream to Gatlinburg. 

We hiked the four mile round trip on a warm, sunny day in late February 2016. The trail was in great condition without any muddy areas. In fact, it was mostly dry, even after recent heavy rains. A previous post from our spring 2015 hike on the trail can be found here.

Fighting Creek

Park Headquarters Road bridge over Fighting Creek

Fighting Creek flows from right into West Prong Little Pigeon River

Downstream of the confluence

West Prong Little Pigeon River top left and Fighting Creek on right

A small cascade 

Gravel shoulder on Park Headquarter Road with maintenance base in the distance

Standing waves in the river

More whitewater

Twomile Branch joins the river

Looking back up the river and trail

Clear water reveals the river bottom

Moss covers an old log

Remains of several cabins can be found along the trail

West Prong Little Pigeon River from the trail bridge

Looking upstream at the trail bridge

Moss covered rocks line the riverbank

Ripples belie the current in another deep pool

More whitewater as we approach Gatlinburg

Flowing water continues to round the edges of the rocks

A crooked tree frames more whitewater

The only bench along the trail faces the road instead of the river

A downed tree spans the river

Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.