Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Johnson City, Tennessee

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. The scenery is truly spectacular, with the rolling hills and mo...
Learn more about Horse Cove Gap

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 can be especially problematic for lifted vehicles, requiring careful approach...
Learn more about Upper Briar Creek Spur - FS 4354A

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, protruding rocks, and occasional sandy sections. Several mud holes are present throughout, whic...
Learn more about Upper Briar Creek - FS 4354

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 fire tower depending on the route you take. The fire tower offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Th...
Learn more about Buffalo Mountain - Fire Tower Climb

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 along the way. This is an out-and-back trail with the turn-around point overlooking some of Uni...
Learn more about Little Mountain

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 one spot in particular about halfway up the trail that stays muddy and rutted out; cou...
Learn more about Irishman Branch

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 along the edges where vehicles have driven off the main line. These deeper are...
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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 passing, requiring drivers to remain aware of oncoming traffic. The surface includes ruts and...
Learn more about Rocky Branch Road

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 or before leaving the trail. Bumpus Cove is a well-maintained, gravel road that is mostly ...
Learn more about Bumpus Cove Trail - FS 190

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 dirt roads. This is a very remote area, cell signal is not reliable. This trail is a...
Learn more about Clarketown Cruise

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 larger clearings that allow vehicles to pass or stop comfortably. O...
Learn more about Cedar Gap

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 of vehicles under normal conditions. The route is straightforward and does not intro...
Learn more about Red Fork Road

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 Smoky Mountains, this trail is a true gem waiting to be discovered. Get read...
Learn more about The Beauty Spot

Clarks Creek is an easy out-and-back gravel trail that begins at the entrance to Cherokee National Forest and follows the scenic Clarks Creek through a quiet, wooded landscape. The route offers a relaxing drive with beautiful forest views and the peaceful sound of the creek accompanying much of the ...
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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 and a predictable surface, making it accessible for most vehicles under normal conditions...
Learn more about Ephraim Road - FS 5583

Rich Mountain Summit is the legal continuation of Rich Mountain Trail which has seasonal closures typically from December 20 through late March and is considered an 'out and back' experience. The Rich Mountain Summit Trail begins by taking a 90-degree right turn and passing through a Forest Service ...
Learn more about Rich Mountain Summit

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 sections, and a series of tight curves that require attention to positioning and speed. While the...
Learn more about Laurel Mountain / White Rock

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 most places and extremely curvy with elevation changes and many blind spots, so ...
Learn more about Little Stoney Creek/Laurel Fork

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 space for comfortable travel with occasional pull-offs and parking areas scattered along the rout...
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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 traffic and use designated pull-offs when available. The surface is generally ...
Learn more about Laurel Fork

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 can be especially problematic for lifted vehicles, requiring careful approach...
Learn more about Upper Briar Creek Spur - FS 4354A

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, protruding rocks, and occasional sandy sections. Several mud holes are present throughout, whic...
Learn more about Upper Briar Creek - FS 4354

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 one spot in particular about halfway up the trail that stays muddy and rutted out; cou...
Learn more about Irishman Branch

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 larger clearings that allow vehicles to pass or stop comfortably. O...
Learn more about Cedar Gap

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 can be especially problematic for lifted vehicles, requiring careful approach...
Learn more about Upper Briar Creek Spur - FS 4354A

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, protruding rocks, and occasional sandy sections. Several mud holes are present throughout, whic...
Learn more about Upper Briar Creek - FS 4354

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 larger clearings that allow vehicles to pass or stop comfortably. O...
Learn more about Cedar Gap

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 of vehicles under normal conditions. The route is straightforward and does not intro...
Learn more about Red Fork Road