Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Sevierville, Tennessee

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...
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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...
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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 and down the mountain. It is one way, but watch for State Park vehicles in addition to animals on the trail.
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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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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 problem. There are also many shallow water crossings, all less than 1ft deep. 4WD is not need...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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While less exciting in terrain than the closely named Old Buzzard Roost Road, this route has some fantastic views and other exciting features. The road is mostly gravel, with a few sections holding water or small washouts. You can travel the Southern terminus up towards the ridgeline and trace along...
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Long Arm is a varied trail that transitions from an easy gravel road into a more challenging off-road experience, making it important to understand the entry direction before starting. When entering from Buzzard Roost Road, the trail begins as a well-graded gravel drive that feels consistent with a ...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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Cataloochee Creek Road is an easy gravel drive that provides access to one of the more historically rich areas in the region. The road is generally well-maintained and typically wide enough for two vehicles, making it a straightforward route suitable for most drivers. Gentle grades and a series of m...
Learn more about Cataloochee Creek 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 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...
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Gravel Road through the GSMNP Cataloochee area to Big Creek. The road is suitable for most vehicles, but higher clearance is recommended due to some rocky areas. The road will close during significant weather events like snowstorms, so checking the road status before departing is best. There are lov...
Learn more about Cataloochee Turnpike to Big Creek

Cove Creek Road is a short gravel route that offers a quick but scenic connection in the area, often used as an access point toward the Cataloochee Turnpike. The road surface is primarily gravel and generally well maintained, though it narrows to a single lane with several designated pull-offs for p...
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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 ...
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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

Cataloochee Creek Road is an easy gravel drive that provides access to one of the more historically rich areas in the region. The road is generally well-maintained and typically wide enough for two vehicles, making it a straightforward route suitable for most drivers. Gentle grades and a series of m...
Learn more about Cataloochee Creek 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

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 problem. There are also many shallow water crossings, all less than 1ft deep. 4WD is not need...
Learn more about Parson Branch Road

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

Cataloochee Creek Road is an easy gravel drive that provides access to one of the more historically rich areas in the region. The road is generally well-maintained and typically wide enough for two vehicles, making it a straightforward route suitable for most drivers. Gentle grades and a series of m...
Learn more about Cataloochee Creek Road