Hiking To Mount LeConte Without A Reservation At LeConte Lodge
If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation, hiking to Mount LeConte and staying overnight at LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Hiking the scenic trail to Mount LeConte, staying in a rustic cabin at 6,400 feet, enjoying a lantern-lit dinner, then heading down the next day is one of the best and most unique ways to experience the Smokies.
Unfortunately, reservations at LeConte Lodge are in extremely high demand. It completely books up the minute they start taking reservations for the next year and remains constantly sold-out during the season.
You’re not alone if you can’t get a coveted reservation to stay overnight.
But is it worth hiking 5.5 miles up and 5.5 miles back down in a day to experience Mount LeConte?
The answer is yes.
Even without reservations at LeConte Lodge, Mount LeConte is worthy of exploration. The scenic hike to get there is one of our favorites in the Smokies, and the absolutely rewarding views from various points atop Mount LeConte should not be missed.
Here’s why it’s worth it to take a day hike to Mount LeConte.
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Do You Need a Reservation for Mount LeConte?
To be clear, you only need a reservation to stay overnight at the consistently sold-out LeConte Lodge. Fortunately, anyone can take a day hike to the top of Mount LeConte, and we highly recommend that you do!
Tip- Consider booking a hotel in nearby Gatlinburg or camping at Elkmont Campground to make a fun weekend of it. (P.S. See our guide to the best campsites at Elkmont.)
Why the Hike Is Still Worth It (Even Without Staying Overnight)
Obviously, it would be great to have a reservation at LeConte Lodge. But if you can’t get one, don’t miss out on one of the best hikes in the Smokies and some of the best views the Smokies has to offer from the top of Mount LeConte.
One of the biggest perks of doing a day hike to Mount LeConte is the flexibility—you can pick a day that fits your schedule and go when the weather looks best.
Over the years, we have made the day hike up to Mount LeConte countless times with the exception of one year when we were fortunate enough to get a last minute overnight at one of the cabins. It can happen!
On a day hike, you’ll still experience the same incredibly scenic views going up the trail and explore the best viewpoints at the top.
Enjoy a picnic or buy a sack lunch in the LeConte Lodge dining hall, and hike back down knowing you are one of the lucky ones to experience the top of Mount LeConte.
See our Guide To Hiking The Alum Cave Trail To Mount LeConte.
What Is At The Top Of Mount LeConte?
After finally making it to the top of Mount LeConte, congratulate yourself on your summit but don’t be satisfied with just seeing the neat Lodge and turning around to hike back down.
Rest your weary legs for a bit and then be ready to add just a little more mileage to your hike to explore some of the neat places at the top. You are tired, but believe me, it’s worth it!
Once at the top of Mount LeConte, there are 3 noteworthy places to check out besides LeConte Lodge. (P.S. Also be on the lookout for llamas!)
On a clear day, the views from the summit are spectacular, and you’ll find several noteworthy places to take in the extraordinary vistas.
The map below gives you an idea of the locations relative to LeConte Lodge. (You can click the image to enlarge it.)
First Stop- LeConte Lodge (obviously!)
You’ve hiked this far, so you may as well check it out. LeConte Lodge caters to overnight guests, but many aren’t aware that they also offer a few amenities to day hikers who make it to the top of Mount LeConte.
If you don’t want to carry your lunch all the way up (or perhaps you forgot it!), you can buy a sack lunch at the Lodge Dining Hall for $15 between 9am-10am and 12:00-4:30pm daily in-season. And you don’t need to pre-order it which is super convenient.
If you’d like a snack or a treat for the kiddos, LeConte Lodge also offers day hikers assorted fresh baked goods and assorted snacks for $2.00 during the same time frame listed above.
Just remember you will need to pack out your own trash.
Be sure to go by the LeConte Lodge Gift Shop in the Dining Hall to get your commemorative swag or souvenir!
See the Llamas
If you arrive before noon, you might be able to catch sight of the llamas that cart supplies up the mountain by way of the Trillium Gap Trail on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. See their schedule here.
You can snap a pick but don’t pet or approach them. They are still fun to see!
Refill Your Water Bottles
You’ll also be able to refill your water bottles as day hikers have access to safe potable drinking water (during operating season only) from a cold-water spigot located near the lodge office.
If you hiked up during LeConte Lodge’s off-season, there’s a natural spring located along the Trillium Gap Trail, but you’ll need to boil and/or treat this water before drinking it.
Restrooms
And finally, pit toilets are available 24/7 and are thankfully equipped with hand sanitizer.
Next Stop- Go To High Top (The True Summit)
High Top is the true summit of Mount LeConte at 6593 ft.
From Alum Cave Trail, turn right onto Rainbow Falls Trail and walk another 0.5 miles to get there.
You will pass LeConte Lodge and LeConte Shelter, a basic wooden shelter for backcountry campers (permits and reservations needed).
Rock cairn at High Top marking the highest point on Mount LeConte. No view whatsoever, just a decent- sized pile of rocks.
When you pass the junction with Trillium Gap Trail, you are now on Boulevard Trail. Keep going and a short distance later, you will see the short trail to the spring on top of Mount LeConte where you can get water (note that you will need to purify it).
After you walk past the Mount LeConte shelter, keep an eye out on the right for a huge cairn of rocks just off the trail.
This is High Top and it is surprisingly unheralded- no sign, marker, or plaque, just a large pile of rocks without much of a view.
You are now at 6593 ft above sea level. Take a picture and move on, that’s what everyone does at this anticlimactic climax of your hike.
*The Lodge asks that you add a rock to the cairn as they are trying to out do Clingmans Dome at 6643 ft. By my math they are 50 ft short so tell the kids to find some really big rocks.
Next Stop- Take In The Views From Myrtle Point (My Favorite Viewpoint)
This is my favorite viewpoint on Mount LeConte, even if it does mean you are walking an extra 0.4 miles (it doesn’t sound like a lot but wait until the kids find out you want them to walk even farther once they reach High Top).
But Myrtle Point is worth it with almost 360 degree views from this rock outcropping on the easternmost edge of the ridge on top of Mount LeConte.
To get to Myrtle Point, walk 0.2 miles past High Top on Boulevard Trail. You lose about 200 feet which is not fun when you are already tired and you know you will have to climb back up it but keep going.
Parts of the trail cross through laurel and rhododendron thickets so you get awesome views out over the park.
Go right when you see the sign for Myrtle Point and take this path for another 0.2 miles. It follows a narrow ridge out to a rock outcropping that is my favorite lunch spot on LeConte.
Because it involves more walking and going a little downhill, Myrtle Point tends to be less busy than the other viewpoints on LeConte.
I like to go to Myrtle Point first, then go up to Cliff Top via the trail near High Top and come down the other trail that puts me back near LeConte Lodge. (Click on the map below to enlarge.)
Final Stop- Take In The Views From Cliff Top, The Most Popular Viewpoint
This is the most popular viewpoint on LeConte, mostly because the trail to it is the first one people see when they are hiking up the two most popular trails to LeConte- Alum Cave and Rainbow Falls.
You have a great view south and west from this heath bald, and you can pick out the viewing tower on top of Clingmans Dome/Kuwohi on a clear day. (It is REALLY small so squint hard or bring binoculars.)
To get to Cliff Top, there are 2 trails- one from Rainbow Falls Trail near LeConte Lodge and one from Boulevard Trail nearer High Top.
Best Trail for Families Hiking Mount LeConte
Alum Cave Trail
There are five trails that lead to Mount LeConte. Due to its shorter length and spectacular scenery, our favorite trail to reach Mount LeConte (especially with kids) is by way of the Alum Cave Trail.
The other trails that reach the summit include Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, Trillium Gap, and Boulevard Trail.
The Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte may be the best hike in the Smokies. It is one of the park’s most popular trails and for good reason.
This is a fun trail with lots to see and kids enjoy it. Featuring a stream at the beginning and unique geological formations such as Arch Rock and Alum Cave, this is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Smokies.
On this iconic 5 mile trail, you’ll encounter a cool “cave” (really Alum Cave is a giant bluff but still awesome), a tunnel, and fantastic views along the hike up, which is a rarity in the Smokies because most trails are so densely forested.
A good strategy is to hike to Alum Cave (2.3 miles one way, 1100 ft elevation gain from the trailhead), have a snack, take some cool pictures, and evaluate whether you want to turn around there. This is a popular choice for lots of folks.
If the family is still feeling good, you can continue on the Alum Cave Trail to the top of Mount LeConte (5.5 miles one way, 2700 ft elevation gain from the trailhead) for some of the best views in the national park on a clear day.
Beyond Alum Cave itself, the rest of the trail up to LeConte is steep with a seemingly never-ending supply of stairs, and at certain points, sheer drop-offs on one side of the trail.
Last time I hiked all the way up to Mount LeConte on Alum Cave Trail, it was with twin 11 year olds, a 13 year old, and a 15 year old. Everyone did fine, although we were certainly tired by the time we got back to the car 7.5 hours later.
We ended up hiking about 12 miles with all of our walking around on top of LeConte (11 miles from trailhead up to the summit at High Top and an extra mile walking to the different view points, Myrtle Point and Cliff Top).
It took us 3 hours to hike up and about 2.5 hours to get down. We spent 2 hours walking around exploring the different parts of the summit of LeConte and having lunch.
Check out our very detailed trail description that covers everything you need to know about hiking the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte.
Our Best Tips For Hiking To Mount LeConte
These tips are for anyone venturing to hike to Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains. May the skies be clear and your legs strong!
Tip # 1- Know What You Are Getting Into
Hiking to Alum Cave itself is not bad at 2.3 miles (4.6 miles RT) with an elevation gain of 1100 ft roughly. It is doable for most kids and we have done it even when they were small.
If you take Alum Cave Trail past the “cave” all the way up to Mt. LeConte, you are looking at a strenuous hike at 11 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of roughly 2700ft.
Hiking to Mount LeConte is an all day hike, and you need to plan on 5-8 hours.
Beyond Alum Cave itself, the rest of the trail up to LeConte is steep with a seeming never-ending supply of stairs, and at certain points, it has sheer drop-offs on one side of the trail that necessitate cable handrails.
The drop-offs aren’t terrible as I have a very well-developed fear of heights and it doesn’t bother me too much.
Our family and I know plenty of friends that have hiked all the way to the summit of Mount LeConte with kids as young as 7, but I would not do it with every kid or even every adult.
You know your family best and be honest about expectations and abilities. You can always just do the first part of the trail to Alum Cave and leave the summit for another time.
Tip # 2- Be Okay With Not Getting To Mt. LeConte
If you decide to try for the summit, just be ready to turn around if need be. This is a long hike. Blisters happen, weather changes, kids can throw tantrums, etc. Be mentally okay with changing the plan on the fly.
Tip #3- Go EARLY. So, So Early.
This is an iconic trail, and the Smokies are the most visited national park in the US so put those things together and you can often have a few too many people.
Sunrise is a good time to start on this hike, especially on weekends and holidays.
Going early for us also meant the hike up was relatively quiet. On the way back down from the summit, lines formed at narrow parts of the trail as people waited to pass each other.
Valid parking tags will be required for any vehicles parking for more than 15 minutes within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Consider taking a shuttle (fee required) to avoid the hassle of parking. NPS has a list of shuttle operators.
*Winter is much less crowded but you will need crampons and gaiters in your backpack, just in case. Snow can happen Oct- April on top of LeConte and even worse is the ice that forms on the trail. Super slippery. Check the forecast! Which leads us to our next tip…
Tip # 4- Check The Weather At The Summit Of Mt. LeConte
Unless you are just into bagging peaks, Mount LeConte feels a little pointless to climb when the top is cloud covered. The kids will not be impressed they hiked all that way to see zilch and get cold and wet to boot.
Besides the cloud cover, the weather on top of a mountain can be vastly different than in the valley below.
The website for LeConte Lodge has a link to an excellent forecast specifically for the top of the mountain. Take a minute to look at it. You won’t regret it.
Tip # 5- Be Prepared. Here’s What To Bring
Channel your inner boy scout and think about what you are gonna need on this hike. This is what we consider bare minimum necessities when we hike LeConte:
Decent Shoes– I really think good traction hiking shoes are a necessity for this trail because it is so rocky. Without the harder soles of hiking shoes, you will probably get foot bruises.
Water– Depending on time of year and in how good of shape you and the kids are, you may need anywhere from 1-3 liters of water per person for this hike.
I drank about 1.5 liters on our last trip when it was 85 degrees but we started at 7am when it was 60 degrees. One kid drank 2 liters of water, two kids drank 1 liter, and one only drank 500 ml.
*There is a year-round stream along the first 2 miles of this trail and a spring at the top of LeConte but you will need to purify water from either of these sources.
You can also refill water bottles at a spigot at LeConte Lodge when they are open in-season.
CamelBak– Using a Camelbak or offbrand hydration backpack like our $30 Amazon ones really helps everyone stay hydrated. The kids can drink constantly without having to stop.
I don’t know about your kids, but ours can’t get on the same schedule and everyone seems to want to stop at different times when they are carrying water bottles. It makes it hard to get a rhythm going. The camelbaks fixed this.
Rain Shell– Even in summer, I bring a rain shell on this hike. Not only because afternoon thunderstorms are definitely a thing in East Tennessee but also because the summit of LeConte is colder and windier than you might think, even in the dog days of summer.
The temperature has only hit 80 twice in recorded history at the lodge so believe me when I say it is not warm.
Moleskin– My most used item in the medical kit by far. Growing kids means hiking shoes that fit fine last month start rubbing after 2 miles this month. Plus, this is just a long hike.
I like Dr. Scholl’s moleskin roll (Amazon $8) and throw a small pair of scissors in the pack so I can cut it to the size I need.
Lunch– We bring everything in tupperware containers because it stops sandwiches from getting smushed in backpacks plus diminishes the smell for nosy bears.
As mentioned above, you can buy a sack lunch ($12) and assorted baked goods ($2) from LeConte Lodge if they are open and have any left, but I would not count on this as your sole food source.
We always pack some candy too as a reward at the summit or motivation to keep going when enthusiasm flags. It’s amazing what kids will do for a bit of candy.
Hand Sanitizer– There are no bathrooms on the trail and kids will touch a lot of things along the way (cool looking rocks, the hand cables on the narrow bits that everyone else touches) so you are going to want to sanitize those hands before snack time.
Tip # 6- Bathroom Facilities Are Limited
Bathrooms are available at the trailhead (the lower parking lot) but they are vault toilets so bring your hand sanitizer. Vault toilets are also available at the lodge.
Tip #7- Be On The Lookout For Animals (And Not Just Bears)
Alum Cave is a popular trail and Mount LeConte is a popular destination and all those visitors mean the local populations of animals aren’t super wary of people anymore.
Tip #8- Check Trail and Road Conditions Before You Leave The House
Always check the National Park Service website for Temporary Road and Facility Closures in the Smokies to see if there are any trail closures, etc. to know about.
Fallen trees, aggressive bears in the area, trail maintenance, washouts after big rains- I have seen all of these things cause trails to be closed.
You definitely don’t want to find out the trail closed after you drove all the way to the trailhead and got the kids psyched up for a big hike.
X (formerly Twitter) is the best place for current road information- check Smokies Road Info @ SmokiesRoadsNPS. The road to the trailhead is called Newfound Gap Road/US 441 and it is often closed in winter for icy conditions and occasionally at other times for wrecks, fallen trees, etc.
Tips For Getting A Reservation At LeConte Lodge
Even though a day hike to Mount LeConte is totally worth it, it’s still a special opportunity to stay overnight at this unique and beautiful spot if you can get a reservation some day.
If you are unable to get your dates, you can sign up for a waiting list on the LeConte Lodge website. The wait list is used to fill in cancellations with more than 30 days notice.
If you are within 30 days of when you’d like to stay, many people get reservations by checking the LeConte Lodge X feed (formerly Twitter). This is what we did when we stayed at LeConte Lodge.
Cancellations are announced on X (https://x.com/LeConteLodge), and the first people to contact them, get the reservation.
It requires a little flexibility and a lot of luck, but for people within easy driving distance with a free couple of days coming up, it is worth keeping an eye on the X feed.
The good news? You don’t need a reservation at LeConte Lodge to experience Mount LeConte. You’ll hike one of the best trails in the Smokies and experience the same beauty on the trail and sweeping views of the Smokies as those staying overnight. It will be unforgettable. And keep trying for that reservation. You might get lucky one day! Happy Trails- Amy
