Hi there!
So you’re off to hike the Alum Cave Trail that is one of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains!
The location of the Alum Cave trailhead is along the Newfound Gap Road.
I did the hike to Alum Cave Bluffs in September. What the weather will be like from year to year can vary (which means the colors can vary!), but this is what it was like for me!
The Alum Cave trailhead is located directly along Newfound Gap Road.
Because the Alum Cave trailhead is along the Newfound Gap Road, it means that it’s really not difficult to find the Alum Cave trailhead.
The Alum Cave Trail is one of the great hikes that can be accessed from Newfound Gap Road.
Newfound Gap Road is the main scenic road that runs through Great Smoky Mountains National Park from north to south, from Tennessee to North Carolina.
This is among the most popular scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains.
Basically, all you need to do to get to the trailhead is to get yourself to Newfound Gap Road and keep driving until you see the sign for Alum Cave Trail!
👆 Driving past the Carlos Campbell Overlook.
👆 Driving past the Chimney Tops Overlook.
👆 Approaching the Alum Cave Trailhead parking lot. Well actually I think this picture of the trailhead sign is approaching from the south side, but you get the idea. 😜
On google maps, there is the Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead and the Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead parking. You can choose either to navigate you to the start of the Alum Cave Trail.
You may want to download offline google maps before you go (it’s free), as you may not have signal in the park.
Otherwise, even without google maps, you will be able to get there just fine because again, you just follow Newfound Gap Road. Google maps would be helpful to ease your mind so you’ll know when you’re getting closer.
Driving directly from Gatlinburg to the Alum Cave Trail might be around 30 minutes, if you don’t stop and if you don’t encounter a lot of traffic. You have probably also heard of the Clingman’s Dome Trail. If you are driving from Gatlinburg to Clingman’s Dome, the Alum Cave Trail is along the way.
More below on getting to the Alum Cave trailhead!
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So getting to the Alum Cave Trail is not difficult. But parking may be!
There is a parking lot right near the trailhead, but it is VERY possible that it will be full when you go. This is a popular Smoky Mountains hike.
Basically, to lower your expectations, it may be best to think of your Alum Cave Trail as being a 10-20 minute longer hike than you originally thought. That may be the extra walking you’ll do from your parking spot to the trailhead.
As you are driving to the Alum Cave trailhead parking lot, it’s also very possible that you’ll start to notice cars that are parked along the side of the road as you get close to the trailhead.
At that point, you may want to start looking for any open spots you can to park.
Also keep in mind that once you pass the Alum Cave Trail parking lot, there’s really not a good spot to turn around all that quickly. Newfound Gap Road is not really a road to be making a u-turn on if you decide you want to go back for a parking spot you saw earlier. You’ll have to keep driving a little on Newfound Gap Road. So if it looks to be crowded, you may want to park at the first open spot you see.
Also be sure to watch out for the no parking signs.
So once you have parked, you can walk over to the trailhead!
There is a bathroom at the Alum Cave trailhead.
And then off you go on the trail!
👆 Hiking to Arch Rock.
👆 Hiking to Alum Cave Bluffs.
👆 Hiking to Mt LeConte summit area.
And that’s a bit on how to get to the Alum Cave trailhead!
Pack some picnic food, and the Chimneys picnic area can be the perfect spot to have a post-hike meal! You’ll find it on your drive back to Gatlinburg. If you’re driving in the opposite direction down south to North Carolina, then there’s the Collins Creek picnic area.
You’ll also find Smokemont Campground along Newfound Gap Road on the North Carolina side, and this can be a convenient campground to stay at if you’re planning on doing several of the Newfound Gap Road hikes.
See more about hiking the Alum Cave Trail:
- Hike to Arch Rock
- Hike to Alum Cave Bluffs
- Hike to Mt LeConte Summit (know what to do when you get there!)
Plus see more of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains that come with amazing views.
HAPPY GETTING TO THE ALUM CAVE TRAILHEAD!
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