Chasteen Creek

Categories: Fishing, Fishing for Wild Trout, Great Smoky Mountains National Park... NC

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Highlights

Tributary stream of the Bradley Fork
Gorgeous little stream w/ good population of Rainbow Trout in the lower sections and Brook Trout in it's headwaters
Chasteen Creek Trail follows the stream
Chasteen Creek Cascades can be found approx. 0.4 mile from trail head for Chasteen Creek Trail
Great wildflower stream/trail in the Spring
Backcountry campsite #50 (reservation) located 0.1 mile from Chasteen Creek Trial head

The Local Scoop

Chasteen Creek is a small tributary stream of Bradley Fork. Although it is small (about eight to ten feet wide) it has a good population of Rainbow Trout. Please be aware that the fish you will be catching will range anywhere from 5-7 inches in length in this creek, with 7 being a 'whale.' So please don't expect to be catching any state records here or anywhere within the park really.
Our best suggestion to access Chasteen Creek would be via the Bradley Fork Trail located in the Smokemont Campground area.
For the easiest access (also mentioned in my local directions) simply drive into the campground and look for Loop D. You'll be heading towards the back right of the loop and find the hiker parking area near the trailhead. Park here and hike 1.2 miles up the Bradley Fork Trail to it's intersection with the Chasteen Creek Trail (look for signs).
The trail follows the creek up the gradual mountainside for approx. 4.4 miles to Hughes Ridge Trail. The trail becomes narrow and rocky in spots so be aware if you plan on heading that far up for the "Brookies" that you will find in the headwaters.
At approx. 0.5 mile into the Chasteen Creek Trail look for Chasteen Creek Cascades, a small cascade, but well worth the view. When you are tired of fishing (who gets tired of fishing??!) simply pick the trail up beside the creek and follow it back to the parking area you came from earlier. If you decided to keep your limit of 5 trout at 7 inch minimum length, who knows, you might want to stop in at a friendly campsite and see if they'll fry them up for you!

The Local Directions

From downtown Cherokee, NC take U.S. Hwy-441 North towards Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 6.6 miles to "Smokemont Campground and Riding Stables Road" on your Right (there will be a brown, national forest sign as you approach). You will immediately cross a bridge over the Oconaluftee River. Go left over the bridge to access Smokemont Campground and Bradley Fork Trail. We suggest attempting to park in the designated parking area for hikers located inside the campground. Look for Loop D and find the back right trail head parking area for Bradley Creek Trail. If this area is full then we suggest parking at the new parking area (newly paved '10) back where you crossed the bridge. From there, you'll be able to access the trail just below the historic 'Smokemont Baptist Church.'
From the campground parking area, it'll be 1.2 miles to Chasteen Creek.
From the newest parking area beside the bridge, it'll be 2.2 miles to Chasteen Creek.