Purchase Knob Hike
5595 Purchase Road Waynesville, NC 28785
Daylight.
$
hikes, parks
Happyly is better in app
Get the Happyly app to discover more activities like this one, plus get curated adveture plans, build lists of activities to try and more!
Enter your phone number to receive a download link
Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with fun stops along the way!
Purchase Knob might be one of my absolute favorite places in all of Western North Carolina. It used to be a place we could go where we would be shocked if we saw another hiker, although it has gained popularity in the last few years it is still possible to be the only ones on the knob. Located right on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park the easiest and most popular way to access it is to take Hemphill Road all the way until it turns to gravel and you come to the gate (most likely closed). Park along the side of the road and start walking past the gate. It is about a 1.5mile walk up the gravel road to reach the signs for Ferguson Cabin and then another little hike either up the meadow or continuing on the road to reach the house. The gate may sometimes be open allowing you to drive all the way to the top, but do so with caution. If you are not an expected guest you may get locked in. The views at the top are absolutely breathtaking. We usually pack a lunch and spend a good hour at the top, laying in the meadow and letting our toddler explore and play. Make sure to check out Ferguson Cabin on your way down. In the summer you can grab some apples off the surrounding trees and have a quick fresh snack while sitting on the cabin's porch.
There are restrooms and a water fountain located at the back of the research center which are opened seasonally. This is a great hike for littles if they are able to go in a carrier (but I wouldn't recommend a stroller), the trail is a gravel road and easy to walk on but you do gain some elevation. And older kids will easily be able to complete the walk themselves.