The Mount Cammerer lookout tower is one of the most beloved structures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s also one of the few remaining accessible fire towers in the park!
Sitting atop a 5,000-foot mountain, 5+ miles from the nearest trailhead, the old fire tower promises epic panoramic views to anyone who conquers the steep ascent. The problem is, there isn’t a lot of info on the various routes to Cammerer! That’s about to change.
In this jam-packed guide, I’m going to tell you all about the three main routes to the summit, what to expect along each route, where to park, when to go, and everything else you need to know to reach the famous Mount Cammerer lookout tower.
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK AT A GLANCE
Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Getting There: The closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains is McGhee Tyson, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Find affordable flights here.
- Entrance Fee: No entrance fee but you do have to purchase and display a parking pass.
- Where to Stay: Camp in the park or stay right outside the park in the town of Gatlinburg or Cherokee. Read my Where to Stay guide here!
- How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around the Smokies.
- Best Time to Visit: March – October
- How Long to Visit: 3-5 days
Exactly How to Hike to Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower
What Is Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower?
The CCC constructed the octagonal Mount Cammerer lookout tower from 1937 to 1939. It was intended to be a remote post where watchers could scan the surrounding forests for active fires.
The tower operated until the 1960s when modern fire detection methods replaced it. Unfortunately, some rugged weather ruined the tower in the 1980s, but fortunately, the tower was restored in 1995.
Though the tower is inactive today, hikers use it as an observation point to see panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The tower teetering on the rocky outcropping provides some of the best views in the Smoky Mountains.
FUN FACT: Mount Cammerer was originally named White Rocks. In 1941, it was renamed Cammerer after Arno Cammerer, the beloved Director of the National Park Service in the 1930s. He was a key figure in helping to establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Where Is Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower?
Mount Cammerer lookout tower straddles the Tennessee/North Carolina border (though technically it rests in Tennessee) in the northeast Great Smoky Mountains.
Parking Information & Fees
There are a few different parking areas for Cammerer. The lot you park at will depend on your route to the summit.
The three best places to park to summit Mount Cammerer:
- Cosby Hiker Lot (or Cosby Campground if you reserved a campsite): For those hiking via Low Gap Trail
- Big Creek Lot or Chesnut Branch Trailhead Lot: For those hiking via Big Creek or Chesnut Branch Trails
- Davenport Gap: For those hiking southbound via the Appalachian Trail
Parking Tag
You must display a parking tag on your vehicle’s dashboard to park anywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
You can conveniently purchase a pass at one of the 24-hour kiosks located at the Cosby hiker lot or the Big Creek ranger station (credit card only).
You can read my full guide on the Smokies parking tag program here.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on any of the routes to Mount Cammerer.
Dogs are only allowed on two hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: the Gatlinburg Trail (located behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center) and the Oconaluftee River Trail (located behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center).
If you’re looking for dog-friendly things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, check out my guide!
When to Hike to Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower
Since the lookout tower sits at nearly 5,000 feet in elevation, I’d recommend hiking to Mount Cammerer in the summer. You can, however, hike it year-round. Just prepare for snow and other harsh conditions in the off-season or shoulder seasons!
Know Before You Go
Cammerer is no walk in the park. Along with LeConte, Sterling, Shuckstack, and Gregory Bald, Cammerer is one of the most difficult day hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Panoramic views are at the very end. While I believe the routes to the lookout tower are scenic in their own ways, you will be hiking between the trees until you get to the very end, just before reaching the tower. You can sometimes glimpse the mountains through the trees, but it’s in the last quarter-mile that the views really open up.
Enter the lookout tower at your own risk. The tower was updated in 1995, but since it is not regularly maintained, it’s important to know that the structure isn’t completely sturdy.
Carry the 10 essentials. Always carry the 10 essentials in your backpack. Download offline maps using AllTrails ahead of time and carry a Garmin inReach for extra peace of mind.
Cammerer is at a high elevation, so conditions can be unpredictable. Mount Cammerer sits at nearly 5,000 feet of elevation. That means that its “summer” window is short, and conditions can be harsh and unpredictable year-round.
Trekking poles are highly encouraged. Your knees will thank you!
Consider listening to music and eating sugar to help you with the elevation gain. I’m not usually a music person on the trails, but listening to upbeat music definitely helped me conquer the steep elevation! And snacking on sugary treats helped, too.
Leave no trace. As always, leave no trace when recreating outdoors. This includes not painting the lookout tower with graffiti (this is unfortunately a serious issue) and not starting fires outside of designated rings (this causes wildfires). For bonus points, pick up trash along the trail! You’ll be my hero.
FAQs About Mount Cammerer
How Long Does It Take to Hike Mount Cammerer?
It takes the average hiker roughly 6 hours and 30 minutes to hike to Mount Cammerer via the Low Gap route.
How Much Elevation Gain Does Mount Cammerer Climb?
The shortest route to the Mount Cammerer lookout tower gains 3,149 feet (via the Low Gap route).
Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower Routes
There are three main routes that hikers can use to reach the Mount Cammerer lookout tower:
- Low Gap Trail – most popular, shortest, least elevation gain
- Appalachian Trail – most direct route (only one turn)
- Big Creek and/or Chestnut Branch Trails – most difficult, steepest, and longest but most scenic
Let me tell you more about the routes in the next sections!
Mount Cammerer Via Low Gap (Most Popular Route)
- Length: 11.1 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 3,149 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
This is the shortest and most popular route, and it also happens to be the route we took to get to the fire tower!
While this route has the least elevation gain and the least distance of all the different routes to the top, it’s by no means easy. You’ll really have to work for the views up top!
The trailhead can be accessed from two points:
- Cosby hiker lot (right before the campground)
- Cosby Campground Loop B
We booked a campsite at Cosby Campground (in Loop B – our campsite was B49) so that we could park our vehicle at our campsite and walk to the trailhead. Starting from the campground instead of the hiker parking lot shaves about 0.4 miles off each way. Plus, we had a campsite to crash at when we finished the hike! Win, win.
From the trail access off the campground, you’ll hike on the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail for just a tenth of a mile before turning right onto the Low Gap Trail. (If you’re starting at the hiker lot, you can either walk the campground entrance road to get to the Lower Mount Cammerer trailhead off Loop B OR start hiking on the Low Gap Trail directly off the hiker parking lot).
The ascent up the Low Gap Trail is rough. You gain around 2,000 feet of elevation in those first 2.9 miles. The terrain is filled with roots, so trekking poles are highly recommended.
At the 2.9-mile mark, you’ll reach a four-way junction. There are some large boulders at the intersection, so this is where we took a short break to rehydrate and refuel before continuing.
At the junction, turn left onto the Appalachian Trail. The trail still ascends, but it’s much gentler than the first 3 miles. You’ll gain only about 700 feet of elevation in the two miles from the Low Gap/AT junction to the Cammerer spur trail.
About 2 miles from the Low Gap/AT junction, you’ll reach another intersection. Veer left onto the official Mount Cammerer Trail to ascend the Cammerer Ridge – it’s via this 0.6-mile spur trail that you’ll reach the fire tower.
The views start to open up as you get closer and closer to the top!
The final quarter-mile involves some scrambling on large boulders. There are often rattlesnakes spotted in this area, too, so use caution.
There’s a beautiful viewpoint just before the fire tower. We took a short break here to draw in the views. It’s amazing how quiet it is up there!
Now it’s time for the final push to the fire tower! Once you’ve scrambled up to the tower, I’d encourage you to wander around.
But explore at your own risk! The structure isn’t regularly maintained, so it won’t feel too sturdy. Some of the wooden planks felt very wobbly under our feet. Use caution!
My favorite part of the fire tower is the balcony that wraps around the windowed room. The panoramic views from there are jaw-dropping! On a clear day, the endless rolling mountain views are unbeatable.
This would be such a great spot to watch the sunrise or sunset!
Once you’re ready to head back down the mountain, retrace your steps to get back to the campground and/or the Cosby hiker parking lot.
The way down was much harder on my knees than the way up, but my wife felt the opposite: the way up was harder for her than the way down. We were both extremely grateful for our trekking poles!
We were very excited to make it down to our campsite! Needless to say, we crashed around 8:00 PM that evening. I’d definitely suggest snagging a campsite on Loop B of Cosby Campground if you can.
PRO TIP: I’d recommend using an app like AllTrails to ensure you stay on the right path. There are several junctions on this route, but overall, it’s well-marked.
Mount Cammerer Via Appalachian Trail (Most Direct Route)
- Length: 11.4 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 3,221 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Since I haven’t hiked this particular route, I will briefly outline what can be expected.
This route begins at Davenport Gap off Mount Sterling Road. There is a small pull-off parking area just a couple hundred feet from the trailhead.
Follow the Appalachian Trail (southbound) all the way to the Cammerer Ridge junction (about 5 miles from the trailhead). Turn right at the Mount Cammerer Trail spur (this is your only turn on this route) and ascend the ridge to the fire tower.
Retrace your steps to head back to your car.
There are a few junctions on this route, but the only turn you’ll make is onto the Mount Cammerer Trail. Otherwise, remain on the Appalachian Trail.
Download offline maps using AllTrails ahead of time.
Mount Cammerer Via Chestnut Branch and Big Creek (Steepest, Longest, and Most Scenic Route)
- Length: 16.7 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 3,805 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Since I haven’t hiked this entire route (I have hiked a portion of the Big Creek Trail though), I will briefly outline what can be expected.
There is a combination of ways that you can hike this route:
- You can start at the Chestnut Branch trailhead, ascend the Chestnut Branch and AT, and descend the same path. Roughly 11.5 miles.
- You can start at the Chestnut Branch trailhead, ascend the Chestnut Branch and AT, and descend the AT, Low Gap, and Big Creek Trails. Roughly 16.7 miles.
- You can start at the Big Creek trailhead, ascend Big Creek, Low Gap, and AT, and descend the AT and Chestnut Branch. Roughly 16.7 miles.
- You can start at the Big Creek trailhead, ascend Big Creek, Low Gap, and AT, and descend the same path. Roughly 20 miles (not recommended as a day hike).
Phew! To simplify, here’s what you can expect by taking Chestnut Branch to the AT, and down the Low Gap and Big Creek trails via a 16.7-mile loop. (Option #2)
This route starts at the Chesnut Branch trailhead and ascends the Chesnut Branch Trail for about 2 miles before veering left onto the AT. It then follows the AT for roughly 3 miles before reaching the Mount Cammerer Trail junction. Turn right and take the 0.6-mile route up the ridge and to the fire tower.
Make the trail a 16.7-mile loop by coming back down the Mount Cammerer Trail and then continuing the opposite way on the AT. (This route is much more scenic than just retracing your steps back down the Chesnut Branch Trail!)
You’ll follow the AT for 2 miles to the Low Gap/AT junction, turn left to hike on the Low Gap Trail for about 2.5 miles, and then turn left onto Big Creek Trail. About 3 miles from the Big Creek/Low Gap Junction, you’ll reach Mouse Creek Falls – and 0.5 miles beyond the falls is Midnight Hole, a scenic swimming hole with a waterfall.
Then you’ll be just 1.5 miles from the Big Creek parking area. If you parked at Chesnut Branch, just walk along the road for about a half-mile to get back to the Chesnut Branch trailhead parking lot.
With all of the junctions, I’d recommend downloading offline maps using AllTrails ahead of time to ensure you stay on the correct route.
Check out these other amazing trails in the Smokies
- Laurel Falls Trail
- Andrews Bald
- Meigs Creek Trail (+ The Sinks!)
- Deep Creek Waterfall Loop
- Mount LeConte
- Mouse Creek Falls + Midnight Hole
- Spruce Flats Falls
READ NEXT: 8 Best EASY Trails in the Smokies
Plan Your Trip to the Smokies
No matter which season you’ll be visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I’ve got guides to help you plan your trip!
- Smoky Mountains in the Winter
- Smoky Mountains in the Spring
- Smoky Mountains in the Summer
- Smoky Mountains in the Fall
READ NEXT: ULTIMATE Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary (From a Local!)
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Kayak to Burgess Falls
- Cummins Falls State Park
- Rock Island State Park
- Fall Creek Falls State Park
- Frozen Head State Park
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