Sycamore Shoals Hiking

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    Hiking at Sycamore Shoals

    Sycamore Shoals has three trails from easy to moderate.  

    Trails

    Showing page 1 of 1

    • Butterfly Garden

      Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
      Distance
      —
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Butterfly Garden

      Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
      Distance
      —
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 1.60'
      Loss 4.50'
      Grade
      Typical 2.0%
      Max 6.6%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.5%
      Max 6.1%
      Tread Width
      Typical 36"
      Minimum 36"
      Surface Type
      Crushed stone 100%
      Obstructions Exist
      No obstructions present

      Fort Watauga Connector

      Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
      Distance
      —
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Patriots Path

      Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
      Distance
      1.20 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Patriots Path

      Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
      Distance
      1.20 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 39.00'
      Loss 63.70'
      Grade
      Typical 2.7%
      Max 17.8%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.7%
      Max 11.4%
      Tread Width
      Typical 93"
      Minimum 72"
      Surface Type
      Crushed stone 98.2%; Wood decking 1.8%
      Obstructions Exist
      No obstructions present

      Sabine Hill Path

      Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
      Distance
      —
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      SS Trail

      Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
      Distance
      0.25 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

    Trail Definitions

    • Cross Slope 

      Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.   

    • Grade  

      Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.    

    • Standard Ramp Grade

      Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments.  

    • Surface 

      A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.   

    • Tread Width    

      Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.   

    • Trail Types: Loop

      Trail returns at or near the point from which you started. 

    • Trail Types: Network 

      Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected

    • Trail Types: Out and Back

      This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.   

    • Trail Types: Stacked Loop

      A loop trail contained completely within another trail.   

    Learn More About Trail Accessibility Information

    Need a Map?

    Explore our collection of printable and digital trail maps, organized by park. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or paddling, you’ll find the resources you need to navigate confidently.

     

    Find a Park Map

    Visitor Center Gift Shop

    The Visitor Center Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.  

    Address:
    1651 W Elk Ave, Elizabethton TN, 37643
    1-423-543-5808

    Hours: 
    8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

    No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.

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    Other Activities at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park