Old Sugarlands Trail

Old Sugarlands is a 7.7-mile out-and-back on the broad former road grade from across US-441 from Park Headquarters to Cherokee Orchard Road and back. It follows the West Prong through forest, then climbs toward the old road’s eastern end. Allow about 4 to 5 hours; the full walk gains roughly 1,250 feet. Pick it for streamside miles and Smokies history, not a summit view.

The western stretch is wide and smooth, with the West Prong on one side and an old quarry cut on the other. It later leaves the river lowlands, rises through Bullhead Branch, drops toward Two-mile Branch, and continues by LeConte Creek to Cherokee Orchard Road. Traffic from Newfound Gap Road can carry across the creek on the western portion. If you arrange a shuttle, walking from Cherokee Orchard toward Sugarlands makes this a one-way trip instead of retracing the corridor.

This route follows the former Sugarlands road, which became TN 71 before Newfound Gap Road was completed. Stone walls and other traces of the settlement sit beside the old grade. A Civilian Conservation Corps camp operated nearby from 1933 to 1942; its stone clocktower and three-sided stone incinerator are among the remains to look for. Winter and early spring make the walls and structures easier to spot through the thinner foliage.

A side trail leads to Sugarlands Cemetery, where graves include members of the Ogle and Huskey families. One marked grave is Edd McKinley’s; he died in a high-country storm in 1915, and his identity was established decades later. Farther along, a separate spur reaches a roofless stone fishing cabin associated with Knoxville outdoorsman Shelby Layman. Neither detour is part of the mapped 7.7 miles. Reaching the cabin requires crossing Big Branch; skip that crossing after heavy rain.

The Sugarlands trailhead begins opposite Park Headquarters on US-441. A parking tag is required for vehicles parked in the park longer than 15 minutes; a tag does not guarantee a space. A dedicated trail lot and its capacity were not confirmed. Pets aren’t allowed on this trail; service animals are permitted under the law.