Little River Trail

Hike Name: Little River Trail Location: east TN Length: 6.8 Submitted by: Charlie Robinson Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Tennessee trail reviews Tennessee national parks Tennessee state parks
For more trail descriptions and topo maps, try a Free Trial Offer from Trails.com

Description
This is a perfect overnight trip for lazy and/or inexperenced backpackers. The hike begins at the back end of the Elkmont campground. The trail was once an old logging railroad grade so it's grade is very mild. Along the way you will be in almost constant view of east Fork of the Little River. At milke 1.1 you will get an up close view of a small mountain stram cascade as it tumbles down the mountain into the Little River. At mile 2.7 you will pass the Goshen Prong Trail intersection. This near where the two black bears killed a woman in the spring of 2000. The destination campsite is backcounty Campsite # 24, Rough Creek at mile 3.4. It is situated next to the river and contains several level well used campsites. There are "bear wires" for hanging food and packs. This campsite is rationed so make reservations (865) 436-1231 8-6 Eastern time. There is a trail registery near the Elkmont campground office. The best campsite is just above the first open spot recognizable because it has four haul lines on the "bear wire". It is on the right of the trail just across the trail from a "bear wire" with two haul lines. USE THE WIRES! This is a very popular campsite for people as well as bears.

Our trip was in late October and it was a bit cool. The autum color display was less than optimum because of dry weather. However, the leaves were beautiful. water is plentiful from the river (boil, filter, or otherwise treat).

Directions to Hike
From the sugerlands visitor center take the Little River Road west toward Townsend. Drive approximately 4.9 miles to the entrance to the Elkmont Campground. Turn left into the entrance. Drive 2 miles to the roadway fork. Take the l;eft fork and drive approximately 1 mile to the locked gate and turnaround. Ample parking is available on all but the a few occasions.

Contact Information
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738

Backcountry reservations: (865) 436-1231 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Easter Time

General Information: (865) 436-1200

submit a new trail review

---

About Our Reviews

Many people ask us to recommend a place to go hiking. Instead of us deciding what places are best, we let the backpacking community help out. The reviews on budget-travels-tips.com have been submitted by our viewers. Some reviews are positive and some are negative. If you don't agree with a review, feel free to submit your own trail review.