Little River Trail

Little River Trail is a 12.4-mile out-and-back from the Little River Trailhead in Elkmont Historic District, following the old railroad grade beside Little River to the dead end at backcountry campsite 30. You walk the same corridor both ways, about 6.2 miles each way; allow 6 to 8 hours with stops. Choose it for a full day of river scenery and Elkmont history, not a quick waterfall outing. The lower section is gentle, but the length adds up, and the final miles are rougher.

Shorter turnarounds make sense here. A small waterfall and footbridge sit about 2.1 to 2.2 miles in, making roughly a 4.2-mile round trip. Another common walk goes to the Cucumber Gap junction, about 4.9 miles round trip. That is still a turnaround on Little River Trail. The separately named Little River/Cucumber Gap/Jakes Creek route is a 5.4-mile loop, so don't use its mileage for this out-and-back.

For the first 2.7 miles, the trail is broad and relatively flat, with crushed stone, roots, and scattered rocks. Around mile 2.5 it narrows from the old roadbed to a natural path. The lower stretch to Huskey Gap is the part described for GRIT all-terrain chair access; the trail is not ADA accessible, and that access does not extend to the full route.

The river stays close for much of the walk, with rocky water views and small crossings adding interest to the old road grade. The modest cascade around two miles in is a pleasant stop, but it is not a dramatic waterfall hike; visitors often value the riverside walk as much as the falls. If that is your goal, turn around there and save the long continuation for another day.

After the Rough Creek junction at about mile 4.5, the tread gets rockier. Three water crossings come in the final stretch, so the far end takes more care than the broad start. The trail passes several junctions and backcountry campsites before dead-ending at campsite 30. There is no loop at the end: turn around and retrace the same 6.2-mile corridor.

This route follows an old logging railroad grade. Near the start, stone chimneys and foundations remain from the historic Elkmont community. The Little River Lumber Company stopped operating in 1938, and its tracks were removed by the beginning of 1940; the smooth lower path is a remnant of that working landscape, not a modern purpose-built boardwalk.

Spring beauties and trailing arbutus are reported in mid-March and April; mountain mint and jewelweed appear later in summer. Park at the Little River Trailhead in Elkmont Historic District. A parking tag is required when you leave a vehicle for more than 15 minutes. The nearest restrooms are at Daisy Town or Elkmont Campground and are seasonal. Dogs are prohibited on this trail.