Tennessee · Hiking

Burkett Ivin Horse Trail

0.4 mi
round trip
639 ft
climb
2,137 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Burkett Ivin Horse Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Cherokee National Forest. It doesn't name Burkett Ivin Horse Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Cherokee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Burkett Ivin Horse Trail is a short out-and-back hike in the Ocoee Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest, part of the South Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area in Tennessee. It's an easy route of about 0.8 miles with a high point of 2,137 feet and a low of 1,629 feet, and the land is managed jointly. The climb is steep at the start, with a 34% grade at about 0.06 miles in, and the total elevation gain is 639 feet over the round trip. The trail is quick, taking about half an hour to complete. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Athens put October highs around 73°F with lows near 47°F, while April runs about 71°F by day and 45°F at night. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. Several horse trails sit close by, including Starr Mountain Horse Trail at 0.2 miles and Yellow Creek Horse Trail at 0.6 miles. Paddlers can head to Conasauga Creek, about 5 miles away, and Quinn Springs Pavilion offers camping roughly 6 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Burkett Ivin Horse Trail

    Best months: March–June 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.

    1. Jan

      49° / 28°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      53° / 31°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      62° / 37°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 45°

      11 wet

    5. May

      79° / 55°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 63°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 68°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 47°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 36°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 31°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Athens, TN, 10.6 mi away at 940 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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