Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Rich Mountain Road is 6.6 miles and runs through the Smoky Mountain National Park and heads North out of the park. The trail is composed of loose gravel and has several twists and turns up…
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Parson Branch is a full gravel, one-way, scenic route that leads through the Smoky Mountains. The road is maintained, however, you may find the occasional tree down after heavy storms. This is usually not a…
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Hall Top climbs 1,500 feet over the five-mile route from the rhododendron shaded valley to the rocky peak above. The majority of the route is maintained, but some of the steeper sections are rocky and…
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The Hall Top Spur allows access to the Hall Top Fire Tower, Big Fill Road, and Rocky Top Road from the eastern border of this section of Cherokee National Forest. The road climbs steeply from…
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Gravel Road through the GSMNP Cataloochee area to Big Creek. The road is suitable for most vehicles, but higher clearance is recommended due to some rocky areas. The road will close during significant weather events…
Learn more about Cataloochee Turnpike to Big Creek

Old Buzzard Roost Road is a nice adventure just a few miles from the interstate. You'll travel under the shadow of Mt. Sterling as you cross a few creeks and traverse switchbacks until you reach…
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While less exciting in terrain than the closely named Old Buzzard Roost Road, this route has some fantastic views and other exciting features. The road is mostly gravel, with a few sections holding water or…
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Slickrock Road is a gravel route that winds through the Nantahala National Forest. It is primarily one vehicle wide, though there are plenty of areas with room to pass. The road begins at Tapoco Road…
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This trail features elevation changes, switchbacks, some rocky terrain, a few washboard areas, and blind curves with potential oncoming vehicles. The path is one vehicle wide with places to pass. Not a high degree of…
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Gulf Road is a great route to take to gain access to some of the tracks at higher elevations. From here you can head up to Max Patch, explore Martha Sundquist State Forest, head out…
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This beautiful "Creek-Side Dirt trail is a must if you like driving on forest roads and you like the view/sound of the roaring creeks. If you ever plan to go to Max Patch (360 views…
Learn more about Creek Side Scenic Drive

This route will take you from the higher elevations back towards Hartford. It generally a mild road, but a few sections include ruts and mud holes that might be more challenging during rainy weather. Be…
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If you want to connect the Trans America Trail with the South Carolina Adventure Route, this is your path. It's located North of Walhalla, and connects the SCAR to both the TAT and the Smokey…
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Big Clifty is a mild introduction to the forest roads in the area. This seven-mile track climbs to the Meadow View Lookout Tower and is easily traversed by a 2WD vehicle. Cell service is available…
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This is a very easy and maintained gravel road. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. There are lots of places to camp but you are required to camp in designated areas...we saw some…
Learn more about Upper Santeetlah - 81

Double Camp Road (FSR 2659) is a rocky trail that winds up the mountain to the Farr Gap trailhead. Along the trail, you will find yourself traveling along the scenic Double CampCreekk. It's a great…
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Tatham Gap Road, also known as Forest Service Road 423, is a 7.1-mile long two-way gravel road that connects Andrews, North Carolina, with Robbinsville, North Carolina. Passing through the Nantahala National Forest, Tatham Gap Road…
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This trail is not too bad but can be rutted in places and loose gravel on steep grades. The views from this trail are great, especially in the winter when the leaves are off the…
Learn more about Wolf Laurel - 81F

This is an 8.7-mile gravel forest service road that can be entered from the south via the Fines Creek area, just east of Interstate 40 in Clyde, North Carolina. Traveling north, the road becomes gravel…
Learn more about Max Patch Road

This route is located in the Cherokee National Forest, following the banks of Citico Creek. The road is primarily a two-lane gravel path that occasionally narrows to one lane. It is an easy drive, suitable…
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This route provides a bit more challenge and adrenaline than the majority of the roads in Chuck Swan WMA, but still keeps it well within the capabilities of most stock and slightly modified 4x4s. Along…
Learn more about Lost Creek & Clear Creek

Trail 11 features a shelfy traverse up the mountainside with a mix of small rocks, embedded rock layers, sticks, small roots, and occasional moisture. Multiple flat embedded rock slabs make it more interesting without adding…
Learn more about Buck Knob Trail 11

Wolf Creek Road is a 6.1-mile gravel road kept in good shape by the Cherokee National Forest. It's mostly one lane, but there are plenty of wide spots to pass. You can access it from…
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Trail 10 is a scenic and well-maintained 0.7-mile loop indicated for one-way travel in a counterclockwise direction. It features a wide, shelfy route climbing the mountainside, with flat and ramped sections and giant embedded rock…
Learn more about Blanton Branch Trail 10

This loop gives you a bit of everything there is to see in Chuck Swan WMA. This route is slightly rougher than Main Forest Rd, but still passable by capable 2WD vehicles except during the…
Learn more about Big Loop & Big Springs

Brush Creek starts out as a narrow paved road, but once it meets the western end of Weaver's Bend it transitions to gravel. This is a beautiful drive and the namesake creek parallels the road…
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Wayehutta is a public OHV trail system in the Nantahala National Forest. Most of the trails in this system are accessible with anything from a dirt bike to a SxS. No 4x4s are allowed on…
Learn more about Trail 1 - Wayehutta Loop

Trail 7A is an easy access connector back to the main staging area from Trail 7. Starting at its intersection with Trail 7, it crosses a wide bridge over a small creek and continues along…
Learn more about Rail Line Way 7A (One-Way)

This trek starts at North River which is a well-maintained gravel road and then transitions to the Upper Santeetlah(81) trail which is less maintained. The Upper Santeetlah is not too bad and can be navigated…
Learn more about North River Rd to Upper Santeetlah - 81

This short two-mile trail is a great quick route to visit the tower. It's relatively tame outside of a few sections with larger rocks. When paired with Big Clifty, it makes for a nice 10-mile…
Learn more about Meadow Creek Tower Road