Great Smoky Mountains National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Jakes Creek Trail

3.6 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek Loop: 5.4 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 1,700 ft of climbing · 2,213 ft–4,054 ft · native surface · trail class Developed

HistoryBackcountry campsGaps

2,820 ft 4,054 ft · 2.0 mi high 4,054 ft

Along the way #27 Lower Jakes Gap Jakes Gap Elkmont Club Cabin # 15, Hale

Trailhead Jakes Creek Trail Trailhead 2,210 ft Drive there

Hike the Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek Loop 5.4 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

no dogs · entrance fee applies

A rocky river lined by green trees and shrubs. A hiker icon in the lower right corner of photo.
Hike 5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip beginning in the Elkmont historic area. Photo: NPS Photo

Overview

Hike 5.4 miles (8.7 km) on a pleasant and shady loop in the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park . The route connects three trails with streamside views, historic structures, and prolific spring wildflower displays.

Trail conditions vary from paved road and graveled path to narrower and rockier sections with minor stream crossings. The Little River section is wide and flat. Jakes Creek is wide and slightly steeper/rockier, but still has a mild-to-moderate grade. Cucumber Gap is narrow with ups and downs.

The Little River and Jakes Creek trailheads and parking areas are separated by a short section of one-way road in the leafy historic district of Elkmont.

Water crossing at Husky Branch on the Cucumber Gap Trail may not be passable during high water.

Length

5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip

Parking & Trailhead

Park at either the Jakes Creek or Little River Trailhead in Elkmont Historic District. Both hikes begin on wide, gravel trails. Don't forget your parking tag .

Nearest Restroom

Elkmont Campground (available seasonally)

Alternate Hikes

Lynn Camp Prong Cascades : 1.4 miles (2.3 km) roundtrip

Chasteen Creek Cascades : 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip

Twentymile Cascades: 1.2 miles (1.9 km) roundtrip

Finley Cane Trail to Bote Mtn Trail to Lead Cove Trail Loop : 6.9 mile (11.1 km) loop

Pets The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only two park trails where pets are permitted. Pets are also allowed in picnic areas, in campgrounds, and on roads.

Accessibility Little River and Jakes Creek trails are mostly wide and relatively flat with some rocks and roots on the trail. Cucumber Gap Trail is more narrow.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 244 trails in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.