Places to go near Gatlinburg?

[HarderCorer]

I'm planning a family trip to Gatlinburg this summer. My wife and I went to the area years ago and always wanted to take the kids there. We plan to do a lot of the normal stuff, hiking, rafting, etc. Any suggestions for a nice trail or two I can take the Bronco on? I'm fairly new to off roading so more sights and less adrenalin preferred.

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[atlawson]

Not really off roading, but Cades Cove would be really cool without the top on.

 

[augga]

Windrock Park is not too far away from Gatlinburg. There are trails for days there.

 

[HarderCorer]

Thank you for the suggestions. Both look promising. Planning on being topless so the trip through Cades Cove looks really interesting.

 

[augga]

Also make the trip south on 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee NC, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 30 miles of the most beautiful scenery

 

[865Bronco]

I'm planning a family trip to Gatlinburg this summer. My wife and I went to the area years ago and always wanted to take the kids there. We plan to do a lot of the normal stuff, hiking, rafting, etc. Any suggestions for a nice trail or two I can take the Bronco on? I'm fairly new to off roading so more sights and less adrenalin preferred.

Cades Cove Loop to Parson Branch which exits out into to Tail of the Dragon. From there, hang a left and go visit the Topoco Tavern for lunch. Parson Branch is one way so either come back across the Dragon or head on and go across Cherohola Skyway. All are beautiful drives, cant Go wrong

 

[FLSTFI Dave]

Parsons Branch out of Cades Cove is great suggestions, and a nice drive.

Also go to Conasauga Falls off Hwy 68 in Tellico plains. Once you get to the right turn to go to the Falls go left. Has five easy water crossings. Nothing difficult, 2 wheel drive 95% of it. Come out in Coker Creek.

Also go to bald river Falls off the Cherohala Skyway. Good falls to see, then keep going. Take a left onto North River road, dirt. It comes out just into NC on the Cherohala Skyway. Easy drive.

 

[HarderCorer]

Thank you guys for all the suggestions. I'll let you know in July how it went!

 

[KenM]

Gravel Map

Give this site a try.

 

[wizardoforange]

You can get lost on purpose for weeks in the Unicoi and Cohutta ranges not terribly far from Gatlinburg. They are part of the Cherokee and Chattahoochee National Forests with hundreds of miles of roads and trails.

 

[Nlindbert]

Not really off roading, but Cades Cove would be really cool without the top on.

If you are in cades cove you can take parsons branch rd a one way gravel road with nice scenery back to us129 and get on the foothill’s parkway and head back into wears valley

also the roaring fork motor nature trail is a nice trip short trip in gatlinburg

 

[Nlindbert]

If you are in cades cove you can take parsons branch rd a one way gravel road with nice scenery back to us129 and get on the foothill’s parkway and head back into wears valley

also the roaring fork motor nature trail is a nice trip short trip in gatlinburg

 

[vrtical]

Also make the trip south on 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee NC, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 30 miles of the most beautiful scenery

Pick up Blue Ridge Parkway off 441 while your at it and head east and explore Maggie Valley area.

 

[augga]

Also go to Conasauga Falls off Hwy 68 in Tellico plains. Once you get to the right turn to go to the Falls go left. Has five easy water crossings. Nothing difficult, 2 wheel drive 95% of it. Come out in Coker Creek.

Drove Witt Rd. this weekend. Had a a blast, very fun little trek. The creek crossings were sweet.

 

[Valhalla]

Thank you for the suggestions. Both look promising. Planning on being topless so the trip through Cades Cove looks really interesting.

Just be prepared if you go to Cades cove to sit....traffic with people taking pictures of every crow they see and stopping on the road can be tedious...there are signs everywhere to not stop in a drive lane...people however are people...oh and let a bear come out...everyone stops in the drive lane....last trip (memorial day weekend) we spent 3 hours doing the loop...it's gorgeous but tourist not obeying the rules make it tedious.

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