Smoky Mountain Driving Tours
Here's a description of the most popular drives through the Smoky Mountains. Even if you never step out of your car for a hike, you'll be wowed by the breathtaking Smoky Mountain views, our lush forests and our Smoky Mountain waterfalls.
Also, after each of the following sections we've provided a link to a Printer Friendly Version of each Smoky Mountain tour. Just click, print and take 'em along on your vacation in the Smokies.
Newfound Gap Road
Distance: 29.2 miles one way
Newfound Gap Road, Highway 441 starts at Sugarlands Valley and climbs almost 3,000 ft. It crosses Newfound Gap, 5,045 feet then descends to the lowlands of Oconaluftee, North Carolina.
Along the way you'll see several picnic areas, nature trails, quiet walkways and overlooks.
After 3.6 miles, you'll come to the Chimney Tops Picnic Area. It's tucked away deep within a hardwood forest. The west fork of the Little Pigeon River is nearby and its banks are a relaxing place for your picnic.
Continuing on the road, at 7.3 miles you'll drive through The Loop. Here the highway passes through a tunnel then crosses over itself -- a unique way to build a road on a steep slope.
Next, you'll come to the parking area for Alum Cave Bluffs, one of the park's most popular hikes.
For the next mile and a half, there are several turnouts for access to the west fork of the Little Pigeon River.
At 12.2 miles, you'll drive through a spruce fir forest, and the upper elevation of the Smokies. The weather up here is distinctly cooler -- on average 10 - 15 degrees cooler than the lowlands. The annual rainfall regularly exceeds 80 inches and at times, the wind can be fierce.
At Newfound Gap, you'll cross into North Carolina. Also, the Appalachian Trail crosses the road.
In the 1800's, the road passing over the crest was 1.5 miles west at Indian Gap. In 1850, the easier passage was discovered and immediately called, Newfound Gap.
At the state line, you'll see a monument, marking the spot where President Franklin D. Roosevelt formally dedicated the park in 1940.
Further on, you'll come to the turnoff for Clingmans Dome Road. And shortly afterwards, you'll see a large parking area for the Oconaluftee Valley Overlook.
Between miles 14.6 and 21.8, are five quiet walkways. These are short paths, scattered throughout the park. They're an relaxing way to escape the Smoky Mountain crowds.
Continuing on, you'll come to Mingus Mill. They still grind corn into meal. Mingus Mill is open from early spring through fall, and visitors are welcome anytime.
Finally, our driving tour ends at mile 29.2, The Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum.
Printer Friendly Driving Tour Newfound Gap Road
Clingmans Dome Road
Distance: 7 miles one way
Here's short and scenic drive. It passes through the Great Smoky's high country to the park's highest peak.
At 1.7 miles you'll come to the parking area for Indian Gap Road. This was once the major north - south route through the Smoky Mountains. Originally it was an Indian trail, but in the 1830's it became a popular toll road for Confederate Soldiers, farmers and herds of livestock. Until the Newfound Gap Road opened in the 1930's, this was the best and only way to cross the mountains.
Other trail heads along the way are Chimney Tops Trail, and The Spruce Fir Nature Trail.
And finally you'll come to the Clingmans Dome Parking Area..
Clingmans Dome, elevation 6,634 feet, is the park's highest peak. There's a steep but paved half- mile trail to an observation tower -- offering 360 degree view of the Smokies.
But take note -- it can be cold and foggy at the top.
Printer Friendly Driving Tour Clingmans Dome Road
Little River Road
Distance: 18 miles one way
Little River Road was built on an old railroad roadbed used by the timber Industry. Little River Road connects Sugarlands Valley with Townsend and Cades Cove. This 18 mile trip tends to meander and take up to 1 hour 30 minutes to drive.
Along the way, 3.7 miles from Sugarlands is the trailhead for Laurel Falls. The Laurel Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park.
At mile 10, you'll see the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. It's wonderful day use area -- but keep your camera handy, bear sightings are very common here.
At the picnic area, you can take a short path to the Little Greenbrier School. It's a charming 19th century schoolhouse. In fact, you can see the original furniture, desks, benches and blackboard.
Back on Little River Road, a half - mile or so you'll come to The Sinks. It's a nasty stretch of white water that once swallowed an entire derailed logging train, no kidding.
Further on our driving tour you see The Townsend Y. It's where the West Prong meets the Little River and Highway 73 veers off towards Townsend.
Needless to say, The Townsend Y is a very popular swimming hole.
Continuing on, the road now becomes Laurel Creek Road. About a half - mile further you can turn left on Tremont Road, an uncrowded 3.2 mile route into a very scenic area.
This area of the park was once home to one of the largest and last logging camps in the Smokies. For more info you can pick up The Tremont Logging History Auto Tour Brochure at any of our visitor centers.
Of course, The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is worth a stop. The Tremont Institute is a research facility with a visitor center and an interesting bookstore.
If you'd like to stretch your legs, we recommend two trails -- The West Prong Trail and The Middle Prong Trail. Both are pleasant river walks with several beautiful cascades.
Printer Friendly Tour Guide Little River Road
Cades Cove Loop Road
Distance: 11 miles one way
Some two million people visit Cades Cove each year and most of them drive this one - way loop around the valley.
Needless to say, traffic jams are a major issue.
The cove's wide - open vistas are great for wildlife viewing and bear sightings are fairly common. But if a bear lumbers up to the road, traffic will come to a standstill.
But to avoid the Cades Cove traffic jams, please consider the following: On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, all cars are banned until 10:00 am. It's a prime opportunity to hike or ride your bike.
Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic building of any area of the park, including- log houses,
- a grist mill, and
- cantilevered barns.
- the John Oliver Place,
- the Primitive Baptist Church,
- the Methodist Church,
- the Missionary Baptist Church,
- the Elijah Oliver Place,
- the Dan Lawson Place,
- the Tipton Place, and
- the Carter Shields Cabin.
At the halfway point on the loop road, there's the Cades Cove Visitor's Center and Cable Mill, where you'll find restroom facilities.
As we've already said, we recommend you get The Cades Cove Auto Tour Brochure at any visitor center.
Printer Friendly Driving Tour Cades Cove Loop Road
Rich Mountain Road
Distance: 7 miles one way
The Rich Mountain Road is across from the Missionary Baptist Church on Cades Cove Loop Road. It's a one - way gravel road, extending to the park boundary near Townsend.
After 3.4 miles, you'll come to a spectacular overlook, where you can see the entire cove and The Primitive Baptist Church. Don't you dare leave without taking a few pictures.
From 1830 'till 1930, Rich Mountain Road was the only northern route to Cades Cove.
But please be careful -- the road is very narrow at several spots and buses, trailers and RV's are not permitted.
Printer Friendly Driving Tour Rich Mountain Road
Forge Creek and Parson Branch Roads
Distance: 8 miles one way
The Forge Creek Road is a gravel road from Cades Cove Loop Road to highway 129 at the park's southwestern border in North Carolina. After traveling 2.3 miles, The Parson Branch Road veers off to the right.
Parsons Branch Road runs through an area once called Chestnut Flats. It was a notorious hang - out for moonshiners. Many a shootout took place in this region -- and this went on well into the 20th Century.
Parsons Branch Road is closed from December through mid - March. Also, buses, trailers and RV's are not permitted.
Printer Friendly Driving Tour Forge Creek and Parsons Branch Roads
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Distance: 8 miles one way
The Roaring Fork route is very popular. It showcases- surging streams
- lush waterfalls, and
- old - growth forests.
The loop road begins and ends a short distance from downtown Gatlinburg.
From Hwy 441, turn onto the Airport Road, it's the eighth traffic light.
Airport Road becomes Cherokee Orchard Road,
then Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail begins 3 miles later.
The first site you'll see is The Noah "Bud" Ogle Nature Trail. It's an easy stroll through a mountain farmstead with a stream - side tub mill.
What's a tub mill? An improvised contraption to churns and grinds corn.
As we drive on, once you come to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead, the road becomes a narrow, twisting one - way road.
But it follows one of the park's most beautiful streams. The road also takes you through an impressive stand of old - growth eastern hemlocks. Some are 100 feet tall and 5 feet across.
Other trails that you'll come across are the- Trillium Gap Trail, and the
- Grotto Falls Trail.
Of historical interest are the original homesteads of Ephraim Bailes and Alfred Reagan.
And the last sight you'll see -- er, actually drive under -- is the unique waterfall, Place of a Thousand Drips.
The Roaring Fork Motor Trail is closed from January to mid - March and buses, trailer and RV's are not permitted.
Printer Friendly Driving Tour Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Cataloochee Valley
Distance: 13 miles one way
If you're interested in history and folk lore, but want to avoid the Smoky Mountain crowds, Cataloochee Valley is a great option. It's like Cades Cove but without all the Smoky Mountain crowds.
This idyllic valley features- gorgeous mountain scenery,
- historic churches,
- a schoolhouse, and
- several homesteads.
Compared to Cades Cove two million annual visitors, only a small portion of visitors come to Cataloochee. After all, it's in a remote location and it's at the end of a gravel road.
It's you're looking for some Smoky Mountain Solitude, you're found it in Cataloochee.
Direction to Cataloochee Valley
From I - 40 get off at NC exit 20.
After .2 of a mile, look for the sign and turn right.
Follow the road for 11 miles to the gate.
The last 2 miles are a narrow gravel road, following a portion of the Cataloochee Turnpike.
The Cataloochee Turnpike was originally an Indian trail, that became a route for cattle drives.
Continuing on the road, you'll see the Cataloochee Campground and ranger station.
Less than a mile further, is the lovely Palmer Chapel. Across the road is the Beech Grove School , a historic schoolhouse with the original desks and dusty blackboards.
Other area homesteads you'll see are
- the Caldwell House, and
- the Woody House
Remember, Cataloochee is a fine choice to get away from the Smoky Mountain crowds to enjoy some Smoky Mountain Solitude.
Printer Friendly Driving Tour Cataloochee Valley
Maps and Books on the Backroads of the Smokies
And finally, before you move on, here's a very helpful Smoky Mountain street map and a few books on the backroads of the Smokies ...
Gatlinburg & Smoky Mountains, Tennessee Street Map:
Including Pigeon Forge, Pittman Center, Sevier County & Sevierville
Waterfall Walks and Drives in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Western Carolinas
Mountain Roads and Quiet Places :
A Complete Guide to the Roads of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Smoky Mountain Solitude
Hidden Getaways
Avoiding the Crowds
Smoky Mountain Sites
Smoky Mountain Fun
Travel Information
Other Links
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