Place

Gregory Bald

A grassy area with a flame azalea bush in bloom in foreground and sweeping mountains views behind. — Only accessible by hiking 9+ miles (14.5+ km) roundtrip (multiple trails with varying mileages).
NPS Photo

Scenic View/Photo Spot

Overview

Gregory Bald is one of two grassy balds maintained by the National Park Service in the Smokies offering unimpaired views of Cades Cove and surrounding areas from a height of 4,900 feet (1,493.5 m).

Only reachable by trail, the bald is a particularly popular destination for hikers in late June when flame azaleas bloom. The unique ecology of the area also includes native grasses, sedges, ferns, and blueberries. Research suggests grassy balds like Gregory Bald or Andrews Bald were once kept clear of vegetation by the grazing of megafauna—early big animals like mastodons or wooly mammoth and later bison, elk, and deer.

Backcountry camping is available at nearby Sheep Pen Gap (backcountry campsite 13).

How to Get There

Accessed by trail via Cades Cove Loop Road (the loop road is 11 miles one way and takes 3-4 hours to complete)
- 9.0 miles (14.5 km) roundtrip on Gregory Bald Trail
- 11.4 miles (18.3 km) roundtrip on Gregory Ridge Trail
- 14.2 miles (22.9 km) roundtrip via Gregory Ridge Trail, Gregory Bald Trail, and Parson Branch Road
Also accessible from Twentymile via a 17.5-mile (28.2-km) roundtrip loop including Twentymile, the Appalachian Trail, Gregory Bald Trail, and Wolf Ridge Trail. Please bring a map.