Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Murphy, North Carolina

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 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

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

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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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…
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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

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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This can be considered the main access route into the Beasley Knob OHV area in the Chattahoochee National Forest. It is mostly a wide gravel roadway. Some of the trails in the Beasley area are…
Learn more about Beasley Knob 93a

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

Nicholson Gap begins as the main trail out of the Satterfield Parking lot, it is a moderately steep but otherwise easy access trail to the rest of Beasley Knob OHV. The trail is mostly clay…
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Hospital Cove trail is a main access trail inside of Beasley Knob OHV area. The trail is mostly gravel with some dirt and provides a route to a pair of the more challenging trails in…
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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…
Learn more about Tatham Gap Road - FS 423

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

This trail is an easy trail inside Beasley Knob OHV that serves as a connector between the Satterfield and Blue Rock parking area, the trail is steep with a small but not very difficult ledge.…
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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 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

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

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…
Learn more about Waucheesi Mountain Overlook

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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Fish Knob (Forest Service Road 4C) is an easy down-and-back single-lane gravel trail that is roughly three miles each way and takes about half an hour to complete. The road is well-maintained and winds through…
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Mulky Gap is a just under 5-mile forest service road that connects with the Georgia Traverse at the Cooper Creek campground. This area is well known to locals and trout fishers as it is home…
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Spencer Road (FS 4D) is a natural, single-lane trail with scattered portions of gravel and clay. The trail winds along thick hardwoods, ravines, and encircles a mountain peak at an elevation of 2400 feet. There…
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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

West Skeenah (FS 640) is a twisty, seasonally closed Forest Service road in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Current MVUM shows a closure date of January 1st to March 15th. Check the current MVUM to verify…
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Anyone who's heard the old country song can probably picture the beautiful state of Georgia. It's a land of green hillsides, charming southern towns dotted with white picket fences, and sunny fields tied together by…
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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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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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Apalachia Tunnel Road - FS 1166 changes to Turtletown Creek Road - FS 11651 and ends at the trailhead of Turtletown Creek Falls. The road is an improved two-lane gravel road that can be driven…
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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…
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