Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Elizabethton, Tennessee

Big Creek South is a moderately easy gravel route that offers a straightforward drive with a few areas requiring attention. The surface is primarily gravel with scattered mud holes and ruts, including some deeper sections…
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Big Creek Road is a moderately easy gravel route within Cherokee National Forest that serves as a connector to Flatwoods and Old Flatwoods. The surface is primarily gravel with a mix of potholes and occasional…
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Cedar Gap Trail is an easy dirt route located within Cherokee National Forest, offering a quiet out-and-back drive through lightly maintained forest terrain. The trail is primarily a single-lane dirt path with periodic pull-offs and…
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This is a relatively tame FS road that offers some camp spots, scenic views, and a peaceful drive through the mountains. Although the trail is mostly flat, you will encounter some potholes and small rocks…
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Laurel Mountain / White Rock is a moderately easy trail that offers a mix of dirt and rock surfaces with enough variation to keep drivers engaged. The route features scattered ruts from rain, shelf road…
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Upper Briar Creek (FS 4354) is a moderately easy trail that offers a mix of terrain features and gradually becomes more rugged as you progress. The route begins as a single-lane trail with scattered ruts,…
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Take a quick trip through the lost settlement of Clarketown. Very little info is available for the history of Clarketown, which makes it pretty interesting and almost mysterious. You will travel on mostly gravel and…
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A nice, simple trail connecting Watauga Lake and Dennis Cove Campground through the Cherokee National Forest. There are a few decent camping spots, no cellular service, and minimal traffic. However, it is single lane in…
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Upper Briar Creek Spur (FS 4354A) is a moderately technical trail that begins with immediate obstacles and maintains a more rugged character throughout. Early in the route, a downed tree creates a low-clearance hazard that…
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Take a quick trip through the mountains on this scenic forest service road. There are multiple water bars (rain/erosion control mounds) that can catch you by surprise, so use caution throughout the trail. There is…
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This route will take you on a journey through the mountains to the upper parking lot area, near the refurbished fire tower. Once at the parking area, it is a 20-45 minute hike to the…
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Laurel Fork is a scenic gravel route that offers a relaxed drive with occasional exposure and limited passing opportunities. The road is primarily one lane with tight curves, requiring drivers to remain alert for oncoming…
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Horse Cove Gap is an out-and-back trail that offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The trail winds through lush forests, gradually leading to several overlooks that provide panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.…
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Rocky Branch Road is a moderately easy trail that offers a mix of gravel terrain with light obstacles and access to several nearby hiking areas. The route is primarily one lane with occasional pull-offs for…
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Flatwoods Road is an easy forest road with a gravel surface that offers a relaxed and accessible drive through a natural setting. The trail is generally about one and a half lanes wide, providing enough…
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Bitter End - Lacy Trap is a moderately easy out-and-back trail that offers a mix of surface variation and light obstacles throughout. The trail begins with an entrance that may appear to lead onto private…
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Little Stoney Creek Road is a scenic mountain route that winds along Little Stoney Creek just outside of Hampton, Tennessee. Nestled within the Cherokee National Forest, this trail offers a peaceful ride through dense hardwood…
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Panhandle Road is an easy gravel forest road that serves as a primary access route to several notable destinations in the area, including Holston Mountain, the Holston Mountain Tower, and the RF-4C Phantom Jet Crash…
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Panhandle Road Crest is an easy continuation of Panhandle Road that offers a mix of gravel after a brief paved section (not mapped on OnX) as it climbs toward a higher elevation. The route remains…
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Little Pond Mountain is a sandy spur off Little Stoney Creek that offers a slightly more varied driving experience while remaining approachable for most drivers. The surface is primarily sand with intermittent rocky sections that…
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Old Flatwoods is an easy gravel route located within the Cherokee National Forest, offering a relaxed drive with access to a variety of nearby recreational opportunities. The trail surface is generally maintained with gentle grades,…
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Red Fork Road is an easy, graded gravel route that provides a smooth and accessible drive with year-round usability. The road surface is well-maintained and follows gentle grades, making it suitable for a wide range…
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Nestled in the heart of the Unaka mountains, the Beauty Spot trail (FS 230) offers a captivating experience for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. With its rugged terrain and awe-inspiring views of the majestic…
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Walnut Mountain Road is an easy gravel route that winds through a mix of rural and forested terrain, including sections of the Cherokee National Forest. The road is generally wide enough for two vehicles and…
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Heaton Branch Road is an easy gravel route that offers a straightforward drive with a few features that require driver awareness. The road consists of a traditional gravel surface and includes numerous twists and turns,…
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Ephraim Road (FS 5583) is primarily an easy forest road that offers a straightforward drive with a gradual change in terrain as you progress. The route begins as a well-maintained gravel road with gentle grades…
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After turning onto Rich Mountain (190) Trail, also locally known as Bumpus Cove, will open up approximately one-quarter mile in and allow for groups to park along the edge to adjust tire pressure when entering…
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Sams Branch Road is an easy gravel route that offers a quiet drive through a rural setting with minimal technical features. The road surface is primarily gravel and generally well-maintained, making it accessible for most…
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White Oak Flats is a mostly easy gravel route with a short but more technical section at the beginning. The first approximately 0.4 miles features a narrower two-track with a rocky descent that requires more…
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Huntdale Road is an easy, graded gravel route that offers a short but scenic drive with several unique features along the way. The road is generally straightforward and accessible for most drivers under normal conditions,…
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