Azalea Trail
- 1.6 mi
- one way
- 156 ft
- climb
- 1,949 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
- Feb, Apr–May
- best months
Is Azalea Trail open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Cherokee National Forest. It doesn't name Azalea Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.
Campsite limitations
Agency closure covering Cherokee National Forest · Order 08-04-00-22-180 · USFS · Cherokee National Forest
Emergency road closures due to storm damage
Agency alert covering Cherokee National Forest · USFS · Cherokee National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Cherokee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Azalea Trail is an easy hike of about 1.6 miles in Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest, within the Ocoee Ranger District and the South Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area. It's a point-to-point route with a low point of 1,783 feet and a high of 1,949 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.46 miles with a grade of 6%. Bikes are allowed, so it works for both on-foot and on-wheel travelers. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 73°F and April highs around 72°F, while July averages climb to about 89°F. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet lower, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. Several other spots sit within a short distance. McKamy Lake is about 0.1 mile away, and Benton Falls Trail and Forest Walk are each about 0.2 mile off. For an overnight stay, Chilhowee Campground is also about 0.2 mile away.
Best time to go · Feb, Apr–May
Best time to visit Azalea Trail
Best months: February, April–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
50° / 29°
13 wet
Feb
55° / 33°
12 wet
Mar
63° / 39°
13 wet
Apr
72° / 47°
12 wet
May
79° / 56°
12 wet
Jun
86° / 64°
12 wet
Jul
89° / 68°
12 wet
Aug
88° / 67°
10 wet
Sep
83° / 60°
9 wet
Oct
73° / 48°
9 wet
Nov
61° / 37°
10 wet
Dec
53° / 32°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cleveland Fltr Plt, TN, 11.4 mi away at 842 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
