September 22, 2020
Want to get out and explore the Smokies but you don’t want to go hiking? There are plenty of other ways to enjoy being out in the national park! You can go on a drive in the Smoky Mountains to see mountain views and maybe even pull off and walk around. Here are the top 4 drives in the Smoky Mountains near our campground you should go on:
A very scenic drive people love to go on is the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. This is a one-way loop that goes through the woods in the national park. There are several spots where you can stop and get out of the car if you want. There are historic buildings you can explore, as well as hiking trails along this road. Roaring Fork is a road where you might be able to see wildlife along your drive. It’s also a great place to go if you want to drive next to a creek or go through the woods in the spring and fall.
Foothills Parkway is a unique drive in the Smoky Mountains people love to go on. The road was approved in 1944, and construction on Foothills Parkway started in 1960. Certain sections have been completed over the last few years, and there are still a few sections left to be constructed. There is a 33 mile section from US 129 and US 321 in Tennessee and a 5.6 mile section that connects I-40 with Cosby. You’ll have incredible mountain views on either of these sections. There are also several pull offs and overlooks where you can enjoy the views and outdoors.
Little River Road is another drive in the Smoky Mountains that’s close to our campground. It connects Gatlinburg to Townsend. There are several hiking trails and scenic spots where you can get out and explore along this road. It winds alongside the Little Pigeon River, providing you with beautiful views. This is a great drive any time of the year, but it is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves change colors. You can use this road to get to The Sinks, Cades Cove, Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, and more.
Another pretty popular drive near our campground is Newfound Gap. This road goes from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina. There are several places where you can pull off and enjoy the mountain views. A really popular place along this road is Clingmans Dome, a short paved hike to an observation tower that has incredible mountain views. Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass in the national park.
These drives in the Smoky Mountains are a great way to get out and explore, and they aren’t far from our campground! Are you ready to come visit the Smokies? Find out more about our campground in the Smoky Mountains, then book your spot!
