Everyone In Tennessee Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive
By Meghan Kraft|Published October 13, 2018
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tennessee is chock full of incredible scenic drives, from one side of the state to the other. The question is, of course, how do you find one that’s underappreciated?! We do a pretty good job of loving on the entirety of our state, no matter if you’re in the mountains to the east or the fields to the west, so finding a spot locals don’t think of much is pretty hard. If we had to choose just one road, Roaring Fork Motor Trail may be one of the least widely known. Have you been?
Roaring Fork Motor Trail runs a little over five miles in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a one-way road, and it begins right at the end of Cherokee Orchard Road. You can access it by light #8 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The road is still fairly popular, don't get us wrong, but it's mostly traversed by locals. Finding a spare tourist is easier during the summer months, but we're happy to drive it any time of year.
A low elevation road, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail will take you on a scenic drive that boasts everything from stunning waterfalls to gurgling mountain creeks to the beauty of the old growth forest.
You can also access the Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls trailheads if you're looking to traverse the area by foot. Both hiking trails also lead to Mt. LeConte.
You should note, however, that the road closes during the winter season. Autumn is the best time to enjoy a winding drive through the countryside though, so you have time to enjoy it!
One of the most interesting spots along the route is "the place of 1,000 drips," a roadside waterfall that's unique and strange. Although we don't have a photograph of it, you'll know this odd little waterfall when you see it.
Have you ever driving the Roaring Fork Motor Trail? Would you visit, if you were in town? Leave your favorite memories and thoughts on the drive in the comments below! We always love to hear from you.
