We knew that hiking approximately 11.2 miles and gaining around 3,150 feet (960 meters) in elevation would be a workout, but we didn’t anticipate just how adventurous this hike would be!
After a busy and demanding year, we were in desperate need of a break. Our holiday routine had changed dramatically—from spending quiet time at home to diving into the bustling crowds of New York City. While that adventure is a story for another time, it left us feeling burnt out months later. We realized we hadn’t had an actual opportunity to recover.
![The surrounding landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after climbing to the rock ledge near Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Rock-Ledge-View.webp)
So, when nice weather coincided with the three-day Memorial Day weekend, we jumped at the chance to take a road trip to a nearby national park, the Great Smoky Mountains! We needed some time away from people, expectations, and responsibilities. We needed some time in the woods.
Planning for the 3-Day Weekend
When we travel, we like to take advantage of the already allocated time off provided by our employers. This strategy lets us take fewer paid time off (PTO) days while maximizing the number of days we have off—doesn’t everyone do this?
Minerva and I took advantage of the long Memorial Day weekend and headed to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, which straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. We had visited before, but this trip was about escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This time, we spent our time on the North Carolina side, specifically in Bryson City. We wanted to get as far away from Gatlinburg as we could while still enjoying the park and getting in some Great Smoky Mountain National Park hiking trails!
![Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower, built in 1939 and once used as a fire watch tower, stands tall on Mount Cammerer.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mount-Cammerer-Lookout-Tower.webp)
To be honest, we haven’t been great about hiking and working out lately. Life found a way to bombard us with illnesses, work commitments, and parenting responsibilities. I felt a real need to stretch my legs and get a workout while in the Smokies. That’s partly what inspired us to look into 10+ mile trails. While scrolling through AllTrails for Great Smoky Mountains National Park hiking trails, the pictures of the lookout tower—the old fire tower at the end of the Mount Cammerer trail—caught my eye. The idea of a full 360-degree view of the park from the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower was so exciting! Imagine how much of the National Park we would be able to see!
The day before, we had visited Clingmans Dome, which was packed with tourists over the holiday weekend. To get away from the crowds, we decided to fully immerse ourselves in the woods and just go for it!
Our Journey to the Trailhead
We prepared as we always do. We packed our day packs full of necessary supplies like snacks (granola and Kind bars) and essential safety gear, including numerous carabiners, ropes in case one of us fell down the mountain, first aid kits, and headlamps. We also filled our water bladders with liters of water (2L for Minerva and 3L for me). Knowing that we were hiking in the South, where thunderstorms are frequent and often spontaneous during the spring and summer months, we packed waterproof covers for our backpacks. Little did we know that at the end of the hike, we would be swimming back to the car—but more on that later.
Gatlinburg WeatherWith our gear ready and excitement building, we set off for the trailhead.
![Appalachian Trail sign letting hikers know they have an additional 2.1 miles until they reach the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sign-at-the-Intersection-of-the-Low-Gap-and-Appalachian-Trail.webp)
It’s important to note that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee. Instead, you must pick up a paid parking pass if you are parking for longer than 15 minutes. These can be easily obtained at various welcome and visitor centers. Prices range from daily ($5) to weekly ($15) to annually ($40), depending on your commitment level. These parking passes must be displayed and visible in your vehicle at all times. As the hike to the Mount Cammerer lookout tower would be much longer than 15 minutes (AllTrails says around 6.5 hours), we picked up our parking pass before arriving at the Cosby Campground.
The Airbnb cabin we stayed in was on the outskirts of Bryson City, North Carolina. This meant it would be about a 1-hour and 40-minute drive from our cabin to the Low Gap Trailhead just outside the campground. We started the drive around 8:15 AM. We had planned to pick up breakfast along the way, but as we drove, we became increasingly intrigued by signs along US Highway 19 for an authentic, handmade Indian art store called Bearmeat’s Indian Den. We later learned that the Cherokee tribe’s reservation is around Bryson City. If you have time, we highly recommend stopping in and checking them out! We ended up eating at Donna Jo’s Market & Subway. After eating, we got back on the road and drove along Interstate 40, then Foothills Parkway, and finally into the Cosby Campground.
![Panoramic view of the surrounding landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after climbing to the rock ledge near Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Rock-Ledge-Panorama.webp)
If you forget anything before beginning your hike, there is a Dollar General store and a camping store just next to Cosby Run along US 321 before you take Cosby Entrance Road to the Cosby Campground. We forgot bug spray and stopped at the store prior to starting our hike. And yes, the bugs were bad.
![A short distance into the hike, we come across the Low Gap Trail sign. Minerva takes a picture next to it.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Minerva-on-the-Low-Gap-Trail.webp)
If you are not a camper, you will not be able to park at the Lower Mount Cammerer Trailhead. But you can park in the parking lot near the Low Gap Trailhead. Once you’re on the trail, following the Low Gap Trailhead along the Low Gap Trail to the Lower Mount Cammerer Trailhead is about 0.4 miles. However, you will not be taking this trail to the lookout tower. Instead, continue on the Low Gap Trail until you turn onto the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Ascending Mount Cammerer
From reading reviews about this out-and-back trail, we knew we were in for a real thigh-burner. Starting at a modest 2,209 feet (673 meters) and climbing to a peak around 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), it brought back memories of tackling the Manitou Incline in Colorado.
Stepping out of the car, we were hit with a wall of heat and humidity we had totally underestimated. Within minutes, sweat was pouring down our faces, and the sticky humidity seemed determined not to let us cool off. Thank goodness for the trees shading us from the blazing sun!
![As we walked along the Low Gap Trail, we saw a small waterfall we saw at the start of our hike to Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Waterfall-Low-Gap-Trail.webp)
The trail wasted no time in getting steep. It felt like we were climbing right from the trailhead, and the uphill slog didn’t let up until we hit the 3.5-mile mark. According to AllTrails, the elevation ranged from a gentle 1% to a grueling 25%. For those not into the technicalities, that means, in some places, for every 10 feet (~3 meters) we covered horizontally, we were gaining 2.5 feet (0.76 meters) vertically! And our calves could feel the burn!
Right at the start, we were treated to the sight of a beautiful waterfall, which partly made us forget about the excessive humidity. But what we couldn’t forget about was the steepness. Every turn of the trail led to more and more of the uphill climb. The combination of high heat, high humidity, and steep incline were enough to send our heart rates through the roof! Needless to say, we took numerous breaks to catch our breaths on the way up.
At the intersection of the Low Gap Trail and the Appalachian Trail, we met a hiker and their family who warned us about a downed tree and mud on the way to the tower. He told us we would need to do acrobatics to get over it. He was certainly right!
![Minerva hiking within the wilderness and greenery of the Appalachian Trail.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Minerva-Hiking-the-Appalachian-Trail.webp)
Shortly after the 3.5-mile mark, the trail began to get muddier and muddier. There was indeed a newly fallen tree blocking the path. Working together and relying on our hiking poles, we managed to duck under and climb over the fallen tree without getting our feet too muddy. We hiked in May, so it’s likely this has been cleaned up by now.
The rest of the Appalachian Trail up to the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower was a delight! Though we were now over 4,500 feet (1,372+ meters) in elevation at mid-day, the trail remained heavily shaded. As we hiked the last 1.5 miles to the tower, the landscape began to change. We started seeing flora that weren’t along the rest of the trail. Colorful clusters of Spring Beauty and Mountain laurel adorned the path. But it was the view from the top of Mount Cammerer that blew us away and made the entire trek worthwhile.
![After climbing around 3,000 feet in elevation, Samuel takes a water break before we continue on with our hike.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Samuel-Relaxing-Along-the-Appalachian-Trail.webp)
![After climbing around 3,000 feet in elevation, Minerva takes a water break before we continue on with our hike.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Minerva-Relaxing-Along-the-Appalachian-Trail.webp)
Panoramic View of the Smokies
After a challenging ~5.5-mile hike (~8.85 kilometers) and our arduous ascent up the incline, we finally reached the summit! The area opened up to a small clearing with a rock ledge, perfect for viewing the surrounding Appalachian Mountain landscape. As expected, this is where many hikers had gathered. We encountered at least five other groups who had also climbed to the lookout tower. Here, we and other hikers gathered for photos of the surrounding landscape and a quick snack break. Approximately 200 feet (61 meters) from the rock ledge was the fire lookout tower. While 200 feet might not sound like a lot, navigating between sharp rocks and muddy ground to reach the Lookout Tower required careful shuffling and maneuvering. However, once you turn the corner and catch sight of it, the view makes all the effort worthwhile, and I believe the pictures speak for themselves.
![A panoramic view of the surrounding landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the ledge of the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Panoramic-View-from-the-Mount-Cammerer-Lookout-Tower.webp)
![Minerva standing on the deck of the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower, admiring the 360-degree panoramic view.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Minerva-Admiring-the-View-from-the-Mount-Cammerer-Fire-Tower.webp)
![Standing at the ledge of the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower, this photo illustrates the wooden stairs and rocks that need to be climbed.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Stairs-Leading-Up-to-the-Mount-Cammerer-Fire-Watch-Tower.webp)
![View of the surrounding landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the ledge of the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/View-from-the-Mount-Cammerer-Lookout-Tower.webp)
![Minerva and Samuel taking a selfie on the ledge of the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Selfie-At-Mount-Cammerer-Lookout.webp)
Our first words upon reaching the summit were simply, “Wow!” The fire watch tower stood magnificently against the backdrop of the 360-degree view of the surrounding Smokies. As we ascended the rocks leading to the stairs, the landscape revealed its storied history. You could almost feel the weathered character of this place, shaped by decades of events since its construction in 1939 and its operational years until the 1960s. Eventually replaced by more modern smoke detection systems, the tower remains a testament to its era.
![An inside view of the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower. While not clear in the picture, numerous initials, names and dates have been carved into the woodwork.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Inside-the-Mount-Cammerer-Lookout-Tower.webp)
Despite the beauty of the tower and its surroundings, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the extensive vandalism inside. Initials, names, and dates marred the walls, and numerous windows were broken or pulled from their frames. I wished more visitors adhered to the “Leave No Trace” principle to preserve such historic sites for future generations.
Trails Turned Rivers
After soaking in the breathtaking beauty from the summit, we reluctantly began our descent back to the car. Initially, the trail was serene and uneventful, a welcome relief after the challenging ascent. We navigated familiar obstacles like the fallen tree and muddy patches with ease, though our knees bore the brunt of the steep terrain.
About 2 miles from the trail’s end, we noticed the sky darkening and felt a few raindrops. Sensing the impending storm, Minerva suggested we prepare. With no cell reception and unable to check local weather conditions, we took out our headlamps to light our way and secured our backpacks with waterproof covers to protect our electronics. Suddenly, the sky opened up. The rain poured down in sheets, transforming the tranquil forest into a deluge reminiscent of a rainforest. Thunder boomed overhead, and the wind whipped around us as we pressed forward.
![Muddy shoes are a good sign of an excellent hike. Minerva admirers the surrounding landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after climbing to the rock ledge near Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower.](https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Minervas-Muddied-Shoes-from-the-Ascent.webp)
As the downpour intensified, the trail became a rushing river, with water levels rising above six inches and soaking our shoes. Using our hiking poles for balance, we struggled to stay on course amid the chaos. Unable to discern the trail under the floodwaters, we inadvertently missed our turnoff to the Low Gap Trailhead. Opting to follow the current downstream, we eventually found ourselves in unfamiliar surroundings.
By the time the rain eased slightly, we were disoriented and wet but managed to use our phones to pinpoint our location just outside the campground near the Mount Cammerer Trailhead. Despite the unplanned detour, it was a mere 0.4-mile soggy trek back to the car. Of course, as soon as we reached the trailhead, the rain subsided, leaving us to pack up under clear skies.
Upon returning to the cabin, we discovered we had unwittingly hiked during a tornado warning, adding an extra layer of adrenaline to our already adventurous day.
Trails End
From peak to summit, every moment of this experience was truly remarkable. We wholeheartedly recommend hiking the Mount Cammerer trail, as well as exploring the stunning Appalachian Trail. The physical challenge was rewarding and the panoramic views from the lookout tower left us in awe.
A standout moment for us was encountering the sudden thunderstorm during our descent. Despite the challenges, navigating through the storm made the journey even more memorable. Though, we would highlight the importance of staying informed about local weather conditions.
Share your Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower adventures and thoughts with us in the comments below!
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