Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Philadelphia, Tennessee

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 for any 2-wheel drive vehicle. The main hazards to be aware of are flash flooding, which is si...
Learn more about Citico Creek North

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 easy trail, it makes a peaceful afternoon drive. Cell service is hard to come by so make sure yo...
Learn more about Citico Creek South

This is a relatively easy gravel road to navigate. There are a few rocky areas and some ruts that may require some vehicle clearance. The road is two-way traffic, so watch as you go around curves. The views that you get while climbing are stunning. There are a few places to camp along the road and o...
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 297

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 as well. We didn't encounter any challenges really. The hunters run this trail both ways so be mi...
Learn more about Bark Camp- Lost Cove- Miller's Ridge

This is a well-maintained gravel Forest Service road. You do not need anything special to drive this road. You may see some deer. There is a bridge close to the end of the road that crosses a creek. There are a few spots where you can look out over the valleys and mountains, but you will need to vis...
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 220

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 and valleys. There are several level pull-offs along the road where you can disperse camp. There's cell sign...
Learn more about Old Furnace Road FSR 76

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 may encounter potholes or downed trees while traveling this road, but most veh...
Learn more about Rafter Road

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 place to stop for lunch and enjoy the sounds of the rushing water. Further up the trail, you will sepa...
Learn more about Double Camp

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 River and at the top of Waucheesi Bald is spectacular views, where we had lunch and spent the afternoon. For th...
Learn more about FR126 Waucheesi Bald

Conasauga Spur A is off of Conasauga Creek Off-road Trail. It is a nice forest service road that is a nicely maintained road to the trailhead of Conasauga Waterfall. Along the road, there are some over looks of the valley below. There is a short hike down to the falls that is well worth your time to...
Learn more about Conasauga Creek Falls Trailhead

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 a few potholes, ruts, or downed trees along the way, but it can be traveled by any high clearance 2WD o...
Learn more about Citico Creek South

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 can be accessed from the south via the Cherohala Skyway, connecting to Hemlock Road and the...
Learn more about Cane Creek Road - FS 57

This is an easy trail that can be driven by any vehicle. There are a few places on the road to see some great views. Very peaceful drive through the woods. There are several places to disperse camp on this road. There is a bridge across a fairly large creek about 3/4 way to the end of the trail.
Learn more about Bullet Creek Ellis Creek 44

Campground Connector is a fun way of getting from Windrock Park's Campground to the general store on P1. Make the most of your time winding through the woods. This trail also requires a land use permit, so if you're just camping, then you would not be allowed to take this route. Be advised that it c...
Learn more about Campground Connector

This trail takes you across the Cumberland Plateau. There are several tight sections through brush, as well as sections of open grasslands. The trail also has red clay mud sections and rocky ledges, with the worst areas having a bypass. There are a lot of side trails to explore. The entrance has a w...
Learn more about Catoosa Headrick Road

Trail 23 will offer a pleasant and easy off-road experience for off-roaders of all skill levels. Nestled off of the long Trail 22 in Windrock Park, this trail provides a refreshing escape into nature without demanding advanced technical skills or equipment which takes you down to Indian Creek and Al...
Learn more about Trail G23 Windrock Park

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 that pinstriping is very likely in the spring-fall months. At around 2 miles in, you come across ...
Learn more about Mad Dog

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 cell service (Verizon). There is a designated burn in the area so the smoke could be an issue. There is an ...
Learn more about North River Shortcut - 216

The trail is visibly marked and crosses paths with many other trails--a really nice slow climb winding up the small mountain. There are small to moderate mud holes, rocks 6-12 inches in size, and a couple of small rock ledges. There are harder and easier lines on the ledges. The views are amazing!
Learn more about Trail 2

P1 is one of the main trail access roads from the General Store Parking lot. As you go up the mountain, be cautious of oncoming traffic. Several areas of the paved road have deteriorated over time. Most places coming down the mountain have no shoulder, or the roadway has given way. On the right side...
Learn more about Trail P1

This is a relatively easy gravel road to navigate. There are a few rocky areas and some ruts that may require some vehicle clearance. The road is two-way traffic, so watch as you go around curves. The views that you get while climbing are stunning. There are a few places to camp along the road and o...
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 297

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 as well. We didn't encounter any challenges really. The hunters run this trail both ways so be mi...
Learn more about Bark Camp- Lost Cove- Miller's Ridge

This is a well-maintained gravel Forest Service road. You do not need anything special to drive this road. You may see some deer. There is a bridge close to the end of the road that crosses a creek. There are a few spots where you can look out over the valleys and mountains, but you will need to vis...
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 220

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 and valleys. There are several level pull-offs along the road where you can disperse camp. There's cell sign...
Learn more about Old Furnace Road FSR 76

This is a relatively easy gravel road to navigate. There are a few rocky areas and some ruts that may require some vehicle clearance. The road is two-way traffic, so watch as you go around curves. The views that you get while climbing are stunning. There are a few places to camp along the road and o...
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 297

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 as well. We didn't encounter any challenges really. The hunters run this trail both ways so be mi...
Learn more about Bark Camp- Lost Cove- Miller's Ridge

This is a well-maintained gravel Forest Service road. You do not need anything special to drive this road. You may see some deer. There is a bridge close to the end of the road that crosses a creek. There are a few spots where you can look out over the valleys and mountains, but you will need to vis...
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 220

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 and valleys. There are several level pull-offs along the road where you can disperse camp. There's cell sign...
Learn more about Old Furnace Road FSR 76