Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Dayton, Tennessee

This gravel road runs beside the Hiwassee River for the first 2.25 miles, which is stunning. At mile 1.25, there is a place to park for a hike to what some people call Lookout Rock. The hiking trail is not marked, but it is easy to follow the worn path that everyone has followed. Although this is a ...
Learn more about Spring Creek FSR 27

This is a very level and maintained road that any vehicle should be able to travel. This is the main road through Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area that you will use to access all of the other trails. There are some great views of Signal Mountain and the surrounding area from this trail. At t...
Learn more about Tower Road

Chilhowee Ridge (Oswald-77) is an excellent, scenic forest service road perfect for beginners, families, and any offroader looking for a relaxed day drive with sweeping mountain views. Spanning approximately 9.7 miles across the crest of Chilhowee Mountain in Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest, th...
Learn more about Chilhowee Ridge (Oswald-77)

Braddison Branch Road is a primarily dirt trail on the northeast corner of Prentice Cooper. It can be slick and muddy after a rain, but otherwise it is an easy dirt trail through the woods. All trails at Prentice Cooper are subject to seasonal and weather-related closures. Prentice Cooper State For...
Learn more about Braddison Branch Road

Sulfer Branch Road is an easy single-lane gravel trail that is roughly two miles and takes about half an hour to complete. Multiple 2 Wheel Drive vehicles were on this trail, including minivans and small cars, along with many side-by-sides, 4-wheelers, and dirt bikes. This road winds through the for...
Learn more about Sulfer Branch Road

East Brow Road is an easy single-lane gravel trail that is roughly two miles and takes about half an hour to complete. The road is well-maintained and winds through the forest, with one spot along the trail that could be difficult without higher ground clearance. The trail has a spot where you can s...
Learn more about East Brow Road

Lusk Point Road is a dirt trail that leads from Tower Road to Lusk Point Overlook. It is primarily a dirt trail through the woods. The overlook is nice when the trees are bare, but otherwise is obscured by leaves unless you take a short walk along the nearby hiking trail. All trails at Prentice Coop...
Learn more about Lusk Point Road

Oswald Dome Road - FS 77C is a well-maintained 1/10 gravel forest road that offers a smooth, easy drive along the side of Chilhowee Mountain. It winds through pleasant forest scenery before ending at a closed gate. From the gate, you can park and continue on foot to reach Oswald Bald, with its nice ...
Learn more about Oswald Dome Road

Rally Road is a short, relatively steep connector trail between Tower Road and East Brow Rd. On the Tower Road end, there is a nice pavilion with shaded picnic tables. All trails at Prentice Cooper are subject to seasonal and weather-related closures. More information can be found at https://www.tn....
Learn more about Rally Road

This is an easy trail that can be driven by any vehicle. There are a few places on the road to see some great views. Very peaceful drive through the woods. There are several places to disperse camp on this road. There is a bridge across a fairly large creek about 3/4 way to the end of the trail.
Learn more about Bullet Creek Ellis Creek 44

Clear Creek is located in the Ocoee Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forrest. This trail travels over rolling hills with views of the surrounding mountains to the soft flowing water of Clear Creek. The trail is a single-lane trail with a few ruts and potholes. However, it is safe for most 4W...
Learn more about Clear Creek (FSR 185)

Short Creek Loop Road is a 4.6-mile route through Prentice Cooper WMA featuring mostly dirt and sandy terrain with occasional rocky garden sections. This narrow, single-lane trail twists tightly through dense forest, offering a scenic backcountry drive typical of the area. The route intersects Maple...
Learn more about Short Creek Loop Road

Lowry Top - Tieskee Road is a partially graveled, easy 2/10 forest route that starts nice and smooth but gradually gets more rugged and degraded the farther you go. It winds through a beautiful stretch of Appalachian canopy, with lush trees arching overhead for a really scenic, shaded drive. At the ...
Learn more about Lowry Top - Tieskee Road

This trail is a gravel trail to the trailhead to some pretty cool hikes. With a few spots to camp down next to a quiet little stream. Along the way, you will find some washouts with some hidden culverts that can be uncovered after storms so just be on the watch. This is an out-and-back trail that wi...
Learn more about Fingerboard Road

Sheep Rock Road is another short spur trail off of the main Tower Road trail. It is a smooth dirt/gravel path through the woods that leads to a small clearing at the end. All trails at Prentice Cooper are subject to seasonal and weather-related closures. More information can be found at https://www....
Learn more about Sheep Rock Road

This is a well-maintained gravel Forest Service road. You do not need anything special to drive this road. You may see some deer. There is a bridge close to the end of the road that crosses a creek. There are a few spots where you can look out over the valleys and mountains, but you will need to vis...
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 220

This is a forest service road with some beautiful views of the Ocoee Number One Lake. This trail goes by Bakers Creek. On both sides of the road at Bakers Creek, there are some camping spots where you will hear the babbling creek all night. So if you like camping with the sounds of water in the back...
Learn more about Indian Creek - FSR 302

Snoopers Rock Road is a very short dirt trail that leads to one of the best overlooks in the area. After taking the short trail, you can hike down to the overlook for an amazing view. The hike is only a few hundred feet at most. All trails at Prentice Cooper are subject to seasonal and weather-relat...
Learn more about Snooper's Rock Road

This is a fire service road that was somewhat rougher when we visited and there were areas that looked like they were washing out. It doesn't require a 4x4 to traverse. While on this trail, you won't have cell service if you're using Verizon. The fall season is likely to offer some great views, and ...
Learn more about Sina Branch Road - Big Frog

Sheep Rock Road South is another portion of Sheep Rock Road, a trail just north of this one. I believe they may have connected at one time, but are currently two separate trails. This trail is an easy dirt trail through the woods that branches off of the main Tower Road trail. All trails at Prentic...
Learn more about Sheep Rock Road S

This gravel road runs beside the Hiwassee River for the first 2.25 miles, which is stunning. At mile 1.25, there is a place to park for a hike to what some people call Lookout Rock. The hiking trail is not marked, but it is easy to follow the worn path that everyone has followed. Although this is a ...
Learn more about Spring Creek FSR 27

This is a very level and maintained road that any vehicle should be able to travel. This is the main road through Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area that you will use to access all of the other trails. There are some great views of Signal Mountain and the surrounding area from this trail. At t...
Learn more about Tower Road

Braddison Branch Road is a primarily dirt trail on the northeast corner of Prentice Cooper. It can be slick and muddy after a rain, but otherwise it is an easy dirt trail through the woods. All trails at Prentice Cooper are subject to seasonal and weather-related closures. Prentice Cooper State For...
Learn more about Braddison Branch Road

Sulfer Branch Road is an easy single-lane gravel trail that is roughly two miles and takes about half an hour to complete. Multiple 2 Wheel Drive vehicles were on this trail, including minivans and small cars, along with many side-by-sides, 4-wheelers, and dirt bikes. This road winds through the for...
Learn more about Sulfer Branch Road

This gravel road runs beside the Hiwassee River for the first 2.25 miles, which is stunning. At mile 1.25, there is a place to park for a hike to what some people call Lookout Rock. The hiking trail is not marked, but it is easy to follow the worn path that everyone has followed. Although this is a ...
Learn more about Spring Creek FSR 27

This is a very level and maintained road that any vehicle should be able to travel. This is the main road through Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area that you will use to access all of the other trails. There are some great views of Signal Mountain and the surrounding area from this trail. At t...
Learn more about Tower Road

Braddison Branch Road is a primarily dirt trail on the northeast corner of Prentice Cooper. It can be slick and muddy after a rain, but otherwise it is an easy dirt trail through the woods. All trails at Prentice Cooper are subject to seasonal and weather-related closures. Prentice Cooper State For...
Learn more about Braddison Branch Road

Sulfer Branch Road is an easy single-lane gravel trail that is roughly two miles and takes about half an hour to complete. Multiple 2 Wheel Drive vehicles were on this trail, including minivans and small cars, along with many side-by-sides, 4-wheelers, and dirt bikes. This road winds through the for...
Learn more about Sulfer Branch Road