5 Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains That You Need to Experience
One of the best ways to explore the beauty of the Smokies is from the comfort of your own car! You’ll find plenty of wonderful drives in the area where you can pull over to enjoy stunning mountain overlooks, fall foliage, gorgeous waterfalls, and other natural wonders! You might even find a few short hikes along the way where you can stop to stretch your legs! Here are 5 scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains that you need to experience:
1. Foothills Parkway
The Foothills Parkway offers breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains, and the segment between Wears Valley and US 129 is particularly amazing! The route has minimal traffic compared to other Smoky Mountain highways and provides an easy connection to Pigeon Forge for those who want to travel to the Tail of the Dragon, a segment of US 129 that is famous for its 318 curves in just 11 miles! The Foothills Parkway is also notable as the oldest unfinished highway project in the United States, which is expected to take 20 more years to complete!
2. Cades Cove Loop Road
Another one of the most scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains that you need to experience is the Cades Cove Loop Road! This popular one-way road travels for 11 miles through a picturesque valley that is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and it happens to be one of the best destinations in the National Park for wildlife viewing! You’ll also find a variety of fascinating historical structures along this route, as well as a visitor center, campground, picnic area, and riding stables!
3. Newfound Gap Road
Newfound Gap Road is a lovely 31-mile drive that runs through the National Park and connects Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC. This drive is unique in that it is the only fully paved roadway that goes through the park’s center, and it’s well known for the jaw-dropping mountain vistas and the ecological transitions from forest to high elevation views! You’ll find numerous overlooks on your journey, and you can take a detour to explore the Kuwohi Road mentioned below!
4. Kuwohi Road
If you’re interested in seeing the highest point in Tennessee, you’ll want to take Kuwohi Road to the end, where you’ll find a paved walking trail to an observation tower on the summit! The panoramic views can extend for 100 miles on clear days, so be sure to bring a camera to capture some of the most impressive photos of your trip! Note that the road access is closed seasonally from early December through late March, due to the weather conditions at this high elevation.
5. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
When it comes to the scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains that you need to experience, you won’t want to miss the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail! This 5.5-mile, one-way loop near Gatlinburg is a winding road where you can explore views of rushing mountain streams and waterfalls, glimpses of old-growth forests, and well-preserved log cabins, gristmills, and other historic buildings that tell the story of the region’s past!
The only thing better than the scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains is our award-winning Pigeon Forge show, so come on out to catch a performance after exploring the Smokies! We look forward to seeing you soon!
