Wet Bottom Trail is used primarily as a horse trail. It is one of Cades Cove’s shortest hikes with only one hundred forty feet altitude gain.
To get to this hike, take the Cades Cove Loop Road five miles. Cross Abrams Creek then turn right on a gravel road that runs through a grassy field. Park at the back of the field where there are signs posted. Walk into the forest one tenth of a mile. There you will find a wooden bridge that crosses Abrams Creek. Continue to follow the signs for the Wet Bottom Creek trail. The Wet Bottom trail follows Abrams Creek and can be, as its name implies, somewhat marshy.
All of the low-lying areas in the far end of Cades Cove are prone to be water logged.
The early settlers would avoid building their farms in the marshy end but did use its cane breaks to protect their cattle in the wintertime. Eventually, people also settled even the marshy end of Cades Cove. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park service preserved one of their homesteads, the Elijah Oliver Place.
If you want, follow the signs near the beginning of the Wet Bottom trail to take a side trip to see Elijah Oliver’s homestead before continuing on the Wet Bottom trail as far as you like. When you think you’ve gone far enough, turn around and retrace your steps back to the parking area and the Cades Cove Loop.
• All Hiking Trails
• Bote Mountain Trail
• Rich Mountain Trail
• Russell Field Trail
• Hannah Mountain Trail
• Hatcher Mountain Trail
