Cove Creek Trail #340

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

To access this trail, park at the Cove Creek/Davidson River Trailhead Parking along National Forest 475 Rd. On the north side, you'll see a gated road. Go around the gate and follow the road for 0.4 miles toward the Cove Creek Group Campground. You'll pick up the Caney Bottom Trail #361 trailhead on your left as approach the group campsite. Follow this short section of the trail until you reach an intersection, and veer westward. The blaze is yellow.

The trail will climb past Cove Creek Falls and into rich hardwood forest above the streams. You'll wind around ridge lines and cross over streams with several log footbridges. Along the way, you'll encounter nice, natural open areas, which are great for spotting wildlife. The trail will also give you a view of Looking Glass Rock to the east. The trail will end at the Caney Bottom Trail #361.

This trail makes an excellent loop when combined with Caney Bottom Trail #361 and/or with the short Cove Creek Falls Connector.

Tulip tree, oak, white pine, hemlock, and other mixed hardwoods typical of the area. You'll spot plenty of rhododendrons along the trail, and open areas make for good wildlife spotting.