Great Smoky Mountains National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Kephart Prong Trail

2.0 mi of trail, end to end · Hike Kephart Prong Trail to Historic CCC Camp: 4 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 850 ft of climbing · 2,731 ft–3,578 ft · native surface · trail class Developed

Shelters

2,731 ft 3,578 ft · 1.9 mi high 3,578 ft

Along the way Kephart Shelter

Trailhead Kephart Prong Trail Trailhead 2,732 ft Drive there

Hike Kephart Prong Trail to Historic CCC Camp 4 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

no dogs · entrance fee applies

Start Limited parking available at Kephart Prong Trailhead—consider a shuttle

Stairs and a log bridge with handrails cross a stream near trees and rocks. A hiker icon in corner.
Hike 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip from a paved pull-off 5 miles north of Smokemont Campground. Photo: NPS Photo

Overview

Limited parking available at trailhead—consider a shuttle or see below for alternate hikes

Follow the flow of mountain streams 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip through hardwood forest and across several log footbridges to the remains of a CCC camp and the Kephart Shelter in Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

This trail follows the route of a formerly-paved jeep road and includes five railed footbridges that cross various streams. With a total elevation gain of 830 feet (253 m), many find this a leisurely trail.

Reservation and backcountry permit required to stay overnight at Kephart Shelter.

Length

4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip

Parking & Trailhead

Please consider a shuttle or park at Kephart Prong Trailhead at a small, paved pull-off 5 miles (8 km) north of Smokemont Campground on Newfound Gap Road (US 441). Don't forget your parking tag .

Nearest Restroom

Collins Creek Picnic Area (open seasonally) south of the Kephart Prong Trailhead (restrooms also available at Oconaluftee Visitor Center )

Alternate Hikes

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

Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek Loop : 5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip

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 Trail includes stairs and five railed footbridges that cross various streams.

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.