When you’re looking for a relaxing drive while you’re on vacation, there’s many great roads in the Smokies to choose from. Take a look at all of our favorite Smoky Mountain scenic drives and country roads for your next getaway:
1. Cades Cove Loop Road
The 11-mile loop road is a perfect drive when you’re looking to explore a little history and see the beautiful scenery in the Smokies. Many visitors would argue that Cades Cove is one of the most beautiful places to see in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
2. Newfound Gap
This is one of the most scenic highways in the Smoky Mountains. Newfound Gap Road will take you straight across the mountain from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North Carolina on a 33 mile road. The drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee along Newfound Gap Road takes about an hour. There’s many places to pull off and stop to take pictures and see views of the mountains, too.
3. Wears Valley Road
This 15-mile road takes you from Pigeon Forge to Townsend, showcasing the beautiful mountainside along the way.
4. Rich Mountain Road
Even though most people already know about Cades Cove, Rich Mountain Road is another peaceful route to take through the mountains. This is an 8 mile, one-way gravel road that offers stunning views of Cades Cove and leads back into Townsend. The entrance to this road is near the halfway point around the Cades Cove Loop Road, across from the Cove’s Missionary Baptist Church.
5. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
This 5.5 mile, one-way, loop road is a great, short trip for many people who visit the Smoky Mountains. The narrow, winding road has a number of well-preserved structures like old cabins, grist mills and more. When you take a drive along this Smoky Mountain road, you’ll drive alongside the Roaring Fork stream which is absolutely stunning to see after a heavy rain!
6. The Tail of the Dragon
This windy road in the Smoky Mountain area is a popular route for bikers and sports car drivers. There are over 300 curves across the 11 mile road. If you don’t hear it as “The Tail of the Dragon,” you may know this road as Highway 129.
7. Little River Road
Little River Road connects downtown Gatlinburg to Townsend. This is one of the most beautiful drives when you’re looking to see wildflowers, beautiful wooded areas and various waterfalls. Of course, this road also shows beautiful views of the river along the way.
Tell Us Your Favorite Smoky Mountain Scenic Drives!
Via visitmysmokies.com
