Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina

This is a very easy and maintained gravel road. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. There are lots of places to camp but you are required to camp in designated areas...we saw some…
Learn more about Upper Santeetlah - 81

Slickrock Road is a gravel route that winds through the Nantahala National Forest. It is primarily one vehicle wide, though there are plenty of areas with room to pass. The road begins at Tapoco Road…
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Tatham Gap Road, also known as Forest Service Road 423, is a 7.1-mile long two-way gravel road that connects Andrews, North Carolina, with Robbinsville, North Carolina. Passing through the Nantahala National Forest, Tatham Gap Road…
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This trail is not too bad but can be rutted in places and loose gravel on steep grades. The views from this trail are great, especially in the winter when the leaves are off the…
Learn more about Wolf Laurel - 81F

This trek starts at North River which is a well-maintained gravel road and then transitions to the Upper Santeetlah(81) trail which is less maintained. The Upper Santeetlah is not too bad and can be navigated…
Learn more about North River Rd to Upper Santeetlah - 81

Parson Branch is a full gravel, one-way, scenic route that leads through the Smoky Mountains. The road is maintained, however, you may find the occasional tree down after heavy storms. This is usually not a…
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Forest Service Road that starts along Tellico's North River. This is a beautiful small river home to some of the best fly fishing around. This road will take you up to a truly breathtaking view…
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Double Camp Road (FSR 2659) is a rocky trail that winds up the mountain to the Farr Gap trailhead. Along the trail, you will find yourself traveling along the scenic Double CampCreekk. It's a great…
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Citico CRreekNorth (FSR 35-1) is a well-traveled gravel/ rocky road. This trail will take you down to the beautiful Citico Creek. Citico Creek is well known for its fishing, However, if you want a scenic…
Learn more about Citico Creek South

This road starts at the end of River Road in Tellico at State Line Campground. The first mile of the road is single-track asphalt. When it changes over to gravel, you will have some areas…
Learn more about Trail 1 FR 420-1

Beaverdam Bald is in the Cherokee National Forest. Its road ID number is 24. This road rides along a mountain crest with views of the surrounding mountains on both sides. There are overlooks along the…
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Rich Mountain Road is 6.6 miles and runs through the Smoky Mountain National Park and heads North out of the park. The trail is composed of loose gravel and has several twists and turns up…
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Citico Creek South (35) is a maintained gravel road that intersects with Indian Boundary Road from the east, Rafter Road in the middle, and turns into Turkey Creek Road from the west. There may be…
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Tuni Gap Road, also known as Forest Service Road 440, is a 6.3-mile-long two-way gravel road that connects Hayesville, North Carolina with Andrews, North Carolina. It is one of the only routes that passes completely…
Learn more about Tuni Gap Road - FS 440

The trail to Waucheesi Bald is a gravel trail. The trail has been recently re-graveled. It is a two-way road so make sure you watch for oncoming traffic. The road will take you along Bald…
Learn more about FR126 Waucheesi Bald

This is a super easy two-track seasonal trail. This trail is only open from 10-1 to 12-18. Double-check the rules for this trail with Tellico Ranger District. It was open today with some off-shoots open…
Learn more about Bark Camp- Lost Cove- Miller's Ridge

Rafter Road is a well-maintained 2-vehicle-wide gravel road with several residences throughout. There are some beautiful views of the mountains on the west end, and a nice creek crossing about halfway on this section. You…
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This is a very easy and recently maintained gravel road. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. Lots of places to camp but you are required to camp in designated areas. There is no…
Learn more about North River Shortcut - 216

If you want to connect the Trans America Trail with the South Carolina Adventure Route, this is your path. It's located North of Walhalla, and connects the SCAR to both the TAT and the Smokey…
Learn more about Trans America Trail / SCAR Connector

This route is located in the Cherokee National Forest, following the banks of Citico Creek. The road is primarily a two-lane gravel path that occasionally narrows to one lane. It is an easy drive, suitable…
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This trail runs from North River Rd Shortcut - 216 to the Cherohala Skyway in the Cherokee National Forest. This trail is mainly dirt with some small rocks. It winds through clearings and forest. Beware…
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FS Road 57 is a gravel route suitable for high-clearance 2WD or 4WD vehicles. While there are some potholes and muddy spots along the way, they shouldn't pose significant issues for capable vehicles. The road…
Learn more about Cane Creek Road - FS 57

This trail is to the top of Waucheesi Mountain. Truly a beautiful sight to behold. The trail stems off of Bald river road in the Tellico Mountains. The trail starts on a nice gravel path…
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FS-85 Panther Top is an out-and-back, easy, and well-maintained service trail that is located within the Nantahala National Forest just minutes from Murphy, North Carolina. The area is bordered by Persimmon Lake, and the trail…
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FSR-307, Beech Creek Road, is a well-maintained, out-and-back trail that winds along the shores of Persimmon Lake within the Nantahala National Forest. This easy, gravel-based trail offers a peaceful ride through the forest with several…
Learn more about Beech Creek Road - FS 307

This road begins right across from Tellico Beach, which is a great place to eat if you're in the Tellico area. The road starts with an easy climb with great views of the surrounding mountains…
Learn more about Old Furnace Road FSR 76

The Deep Gap Trail, also known as FR 71, takes you from US 64 up into the mountains to the Deep Gap hiking trail in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. There are several…
Learn more about Deep Gap - FR 71

This scenic gravel road offers an easy drive, with a few bumpy sections, small potholes, an easy middle-rutted section, and potentially muddy areas after rain. Running along the ridge of the mountain provides occasional views…
Learn more about Gumlog Gap FS 95

This trail has easy access gravel road off Highway 68 in Farner. The road is 2 vehicles wide and has mostly gentle elevations. It starts out running parallel to the Hiwassee River and then a…
Learn more about Shuler Creek

Are you looking for some beautiful GA views, even in the summer? Ivy Log Gap, FS 100, runs along a ridge offering scenic views year-round, with incredibly stunning overlooks in the fall. This smooth gravel…
Learn more about Ivy Log Gap (FS 100)