Tennessee · Hiking

Ramsey Cascades Trail

Ramsey Cascades TrailPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.9 mi
one way
2,182 ft
climb
4,266 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Sep–Oct
best months

Is Ramsey Cascades Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It doesn't name Ramsey Cascades Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

  • Seasonal road closures

    Park closure covering Great Smoky Mountains National Park · NPS · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  • Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.

    Park closure covering Great Smoky Mountains National Park · NPS · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  • Park Headquarters Road is closed

    Park closure covering Great Smoky Mountains National Park · NPS · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Ramsey Cascades Trail is a 3.9-mile point-to-point hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, managed by the National Park Service. The route rises from about 2,074 feet to 4,266 feet, a total gain of 2,182 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 23%. The trail is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Newfound Gap weather station, which sits about 774 feet higher than the trail, show July highs around 74°F with lows near 57°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 30s. The trail is not open to bikes or horses. There is no fee to hike it, and the trip is estimated to take about 2.5 hours. Nearby, Old Settlers Trail and Maddron Bald Trail are both within about 4.6 miles. Greenbrier Picnic Pavilion and Cosby Campground are a little farther out, at about 4.7 and 6 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Ramsey Cascades Trail

    Best months: September–October. 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

      39° / 22°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 25°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 30°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 38°

      13 wet

    5. May

      66° / 47°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 54°

      16 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 57°

      16 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 56°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 51°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 41°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 32°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 27°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Newfound Gap, TN, 9.9 mi away at 5,040 ft. The station sits about 800 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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HIKE

Balsam Mountain Trail

~12 min drive

19.96-mile out-and-back trail in North Carolina with 2,091 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors