Oconaluftee River Trail is the perfect introductory trail when entering the Great Smokies from the North Carolina entrance.
Oconaluftee River Trail Basics
1 – 2 Hours
3 Miles Round Trip
Out-And-Back
70 Feet
Duration: 1-2 Hours
Trekking the trail along the Oconaluftee River takes about 1-2 hours to complete. There are interpretive plaques along the way giving insight into the culture of the Eastern band of Cherokee Indians that once called this area home. And don’t forget to spend some time at the Mountain Farm Museum.
Distance: 3 Miles Roundtrip
The trail is 1.5 miles each way, crossing under the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway before reaching Cherokee.
Type: Out-and-Back Trail
This out-and-back trail is about 1.5 miles in each direction. Once you reach the end on the outskirts of Cherokee near the Qualla Boundary, you must turn around and walk back to the starting point.
Elevation Change: 70 Feet
Overall, the trail is very flat, well-graded, and easy to walk with only a few very small hills along the way.
Season: Any
Thanks to the mild temperatures in the lowlands of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this trail is open year-round even when places at higher elevations in the park are closed.
Time of Day: Any
One of the best times to go is in the morning or the evening, especially if you want a chance to see the elk herd that call this area home.
Amount of Shade: Moderate
Most of the pathway is covered with dense forest trees, so you are in the shade for the majority of this hike.
Difficulty: Easy
The path on this trail is relatively flat with only a few small hills, making it an easy hike.
What Makes Oconaluftee River Trail a Great Hike?
The Oconaluftee River Trail is one of only two trails in the whole park that allow bicycles and dogs (on a leash). The other is the similar Gatlinburg Trail on the north side of the park.
The hike is a gorgeous walk along the edge of the river and through forests of eastern hemlock, yellow buckeye, beech, red maple, sycamore, dogwood, basswood, and tulip trees.
Scenery on the Oconaluftee River Trail
Start of the Trail
The trail starts at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and passes by the Mountain Farm Museum. This is a collection of buildings that were found all around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area that were delicately preserved and moved to the area. The idea was to set up a museum showing what life would have been like over 100 years ago in the Appalachian Mountains.
On the Trail
As you walk along the edge of the river, look for a herd of elk in the field on the other side of the trail. And don’t forget to take some time down near the riverbank to take in the gorgeous mountain scenery.
End of the Trail
The trail ends at the edge of the park boundary on Highway 441 in Cherokee, North Carolina.
Notable Places on the Hike
About halfway through the hike, you will pass under the southernmost point on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. This is just a small brick tunnel that goes under the roadway.
Oconaluftee River Trailhead Information
Park Name: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. It is the most visited National Park in the United States so the park trails can get busy at times. Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have an entrance fee, but a parking tag is required for a vehicle parked more than 15 minutes in a parking spot. The park has three entrances, but the closest to the Oconaluftee River Trail is the Cherokee Entrance through Bryson City.
Finding the Trailhead
Walk between the visitor center building and the restrooms and you will see the path. It goes around the Mountain Farm Museum and up to the river.
Markers Along the Trail
As you walk, once you pass the Mountain Farm Museum and the old chestnut wood Davis House, there will be interpretive signs. They describe the Cherokee beliefs, agricultural practices, and culture as well as the Cherokee artists.
Nearest Restrooms
The closest restrooms are the ones located at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center.
Parking Area
There are two parking areas since this trail can be accessed from either end. To start within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary, park in the Oconaluftee Visitor Center parking lot. This is the path that most take when hiking on the trail. For those starting from the town of Cherokee and walking into the park, there's a parking area near the trailhead across the street at the Cherokee Welcome Center at the easter edge of Cherokee.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
Near the north end of the parking lot, across Newfound Gap Road, is the Enloe-Mingus Cemetery Access Trailhead. The Oconaluftee Residence and Maintenance area with the Nations Cemetery Access Trailhead is just north on Newfound Gap Road, on the right. And a little past that, on the left side of the road, is the Floyd Cemetery Access Trailhead followed by the Queen Cemetery Trailhead.
Tips for Oconaluftee River Trail
- Fun Fact: The word Oconaluftee comes from the Cherokee word "egwanulti, " meaning "by the river".
- The best time to view a variety of species of wildflowers along the river is in late April. There are a variety of purple phacelia, stonecrop, trillium, violets, phlox, dwarf iris, and squirrel corn.
Accessibility Information for Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
Packed Gravel
Paved
Trail Type: Packed Gravel
The National Park Service spread gravel along this trail many years ago due to the high number of visitors that hike the path every year. The gravel is very well packed and should be navigable for most in a wheelchair or stroller.
Parking: Paved
The parking lot at the visitor center is a paved parking lot with many handicap-accessible parking spaces available.