Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Jefferson City, Tennessee

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 Clear Creek Rd. there are three water crossings that vary greatly depending on recent rains. All t...
Learn more about Lost Creek & Clear Creek

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 require a driver to slow down a bit or endure the bumpy ride. At the top, you'll find a fire tower ...
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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 the valley and gains 500 feet of elevation in just a few miles. The lower sections have recently been rework...
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This route traverses from the southern portions of Chuck Swan WMA to one of the more remote areas on the northern border. Along this route you'll find some easy but fun roads, a natural freshwater spring, and if you time your visit right ample opportunities to pick fresh blackberries. In the summer ...
Learn more about Mossy Springs

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 at the top. There are no camping spots on this road, but there are options close by. The tower is a gre...
Learn more about Big Clifty Road

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 wettest times of the year. You'll have opportunities to see natural springs just off of the road, visit some old...
Learn more about Big Loop & Big Springs

Crumely Loop is a mellow 2.6-mile forest road tucked into the heart of Chuck Swan State Forest. Like all the roads here, it's an active logging route, so keep an eye out for trucks and yield when needed. Several old roads branch off along the way, but most are closed to motorized vehicles; just foll...
Learn more about Crumely Loop

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 trip. The tower is recently renovated and provides great 360 degree views of the area. A cool point of inter...
Learn more about Meadow Creek Tower Road

Little Greenbrier Road is an easy gravel trail that offers a peaceful drive through a historic section of the Great Smoky Mountains. The route is primarily a single-lane road and begins with signage advising that passing opportunities are very limited and that vehicles towing trailers are prohibited...
Learn more about Little Greenbrier Road

Main Forest Road runs from the entrance to Chuck Swan State Forest until it meets Forks of River Road, which will take you to the very end of this route. It's relatively smooth in comparison to the rest of the roads in CSSF, and outside of the occasional washout or exposed bedrock, it's easily trave...
Learn more about Main Forest Road

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 for the northern half of the route. As the road turns away from the creek it quickly ascends to the upper re...
Learn more about Brush Creek Road

This easy gravel drive has a lot to offer. At the beginning you will find the Rice Grist Mill and gift shop along with the Caleb Crosby Threshing Barn. This gravel road takes you along the Clear Creek which has multiple waterfalls and hiking trails. It has a small concrete water crossing so be caref...
Learn more about Lower Creek Road

Weaver Bend Road runs from its intersection with Brush Creek to the French Broad River. It transitions from gravel to dirt. Along the road, there are several marked campsites, including several riverside. At its namesake Weaver's Bend, you'll find a large campsite that accommodates six to eight truc...
Learn more about Weaver Bend

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 the top of the ridgeline and intersect with the Buzzard Roost Road. Initially, the route is mild gravel w...
Learn more about Old Buzzard Roost Road

Flat Branch is a short out-and-back gravel route located within Pisgah Game Land, offering a straightforward drive with a clearly defined endpoint. The road is well-maintained with a consistent gravel surface, making it accessible for most drivers under normal conditions. The trail follows gentle gr...
Learn more about Flat Branch

Fed Fork is a very easy, graded gravel trail that provides a relaxed out-and-back drive through a quiet forest setting. The surface is well maintained with gentle grades and consistent traction, making it an excellent choice for drivers of all experience levels. The route is straightforward from beg...
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Upper Tremont Road is an easy gravel route that follows the scenic Middle Prong Little River through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The well-maintained road offers a relaxing drive with gentle grades and beautiful river views for much of its length. Numerous pull-off areas provide opportunitie...
Learn more about Upper Tremont Road

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 into other sections of Pisgah, or take the long way to Hot Springs, NC. There are some houses at the lower elevations,...
Learn more about Gulf Road

River Road is an easy, well-maintained gravel route that offers a relaxing drive through the scenic countryside. The graded gravel surface is smooth and predictable, making it suitable for a wide variety of vehicles under normal conditions. The road varies from single-lane sections to wider double-l...
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Paint Mountain is a great way to connect Hurricane Gap to the east, with some of the other roads and trails west of this area. It's 1 to 1.5 cars wide and outside of a few rough sections, the gravel is well maintained. At the southern terminus, you'll find the Chimney Rocks trailhead and French Broa...
Learn more about Paint Mountain Road

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 Clear Creek Rd. there are three water crossings that vary greatly depending on recent rains. All t...
Learn more about Lost Creek & Clear Creek

This route traverses from the southern portions of Chuck Swan WMA to one of the more remote areas on the northern border. Along this route you'll find some easy but fun roads, a natural freshwater spring, and if you time your visit right ample opportunities to pick fresh blackberries. In the summer ...
Learn more about Mossy Springs

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 wettest times of the year. You'll have opportunities to see natural springs just off of the road, visit some old...
Learn more about Big Loop & Big Springs

Crumely Loop is a mellow 2.6-mile forest road tucked into the heart of Chuck Swan State Forest. Like all the roads here, it's an active logging route, so keep an eye out for trucks and yield when needed. Several old roads branch off along the way, but most are closed to motorized vehicles; just foll...
Learn more about Crumely Loop

Crumely Loop is a mellow 2.6-mile forest road tucked into the heart of Chuck Swan State Forest. Like all the roads here, it's an active logging route, so keep an eye out for trucks and yield when needed. Several old roads branch off along the way, but most are closed to motorized vehicles; just foll...
Learn more about Crumely Loop

This is a short out-and-back trail with multiple primitive campsites and fire rings. The campsite on the south end has room for multiple vehicles with rooftop tents and plenty of room for ground tents with three fire rings. The three campsites on the north end of the trail are large enough for two v...
Learn more about Paint Pond Trail

Mount Sterling Road is an easy gravel route that offers a straightforward drive with occasional exposure and light local traffic. The road is generally well-maintained with gentle grades, making it suitable for most drivers under normal conditions. While much of the route is wide enough for two vehi...
Learn more about Mount Sterling Road

Sutton is a short out-and-back dirt route that offers a mostly easy drive with a brief change in terrain character. The trail begins as a graded path with a smooth, manageable surface before transitioning after a hairpin turn into a narrower, rocky two-track. In this section, rocks begin to protrude...
Learn more about Sutton