Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Surgoinsville, Tennessee

Jennings Creek Road travels along the border of Cherokee National Forest between the Horse Creek Recreation Area and the Old Forge NF Campground. The campground has walk-in sites with a parking lot only 10 to…
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This is a 4.2-mile out-and-back single-lane forest service road on the Tennessee side of the Cherokee National Forest, southeast of Greeneville, Tennessee, leading up to the Bald Mountains region. It is accessed from Greeneville, TN…
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This is a windy gravel mountain road. It winds along the edge of the mountain with mild elevation changes. Beautiful drive with a couple of good spots to catch a view, although there are no…
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Turning to gravel 5 miles in, Viking Mountain Road is a 3.5-mile out-and-back single-lane forest service road on the Tennessee side of the Cherokee National Forest, southeast of Greeneville, Tennessee, leading up to the Bald…
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Hurrican Gap is a well-maintained gravel road that travels from the Houston Valley area to just outside of Hot Springs, NC. While it's not particularly challenging, there are some great side trips along the way.…
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This trail is a well maintained road that is mostly 1 car width wide and has several spots to turn into if you encounter another vehicle. The trail winds through Rich Mountain via switch backs.…
Learn more about Bumpus Cove Trail USFS190

Paint Mountain is a great way to connect Hurricane Gap to the east, with some of the other roads and trails west of this area. It's 1 to 1.5 cars wide and outside of a…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Brush Creek starts out as a narrow paved road, but once it meets the western end of Weaver's Bend it transitions to gravel. This is a beautiful drive and the namesake creek parallels the road…
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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.…
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This is a very scenic mountain road, mostly all gravel, but it still has some rocky inclines and loose dirt. Enjoy the best view in Harlan County from Pyramid Rock if you dare to climb…
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This is a short out-and-back trail with multiple primitive campsites and fire rings. The campsite on the south end has room for multiple vehicles with rooftop tents and plenty of room for ground tents with…
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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…
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Trail 12 splits into two parts in the OHV area. It is divided by private land. For mapping purposes, this trail has been labeled "12a" and "12b". 12a is an easy drive and is a…
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You can expect a nice easy cruise up the mountain. It is a fairly gradual grade increase with occasional sections of loose rocks along the way. During the fall it seemed as though the trail…
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This trail is just over 2 miles long and is a great opportunity to see the Black Mountain trails without getting too crazy. There are also a couple of small waterfalls to enjoy. The terrain…
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Little Shepherd is an unpaved route from Harlan KY to Cumberland KY. This route rides across a mountain ridge giving you wonderful views of the surrounding areas. There are multiple pull-offs that function as overlooks…
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Trail 20 is a dirt trail and just under 2.5 miles long. It's a very scenic drive that weaves along the mountain's edge. There are some mild elevation changes and it's a great way to…
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Weaver Bend Road runs from its intersection with Brush Creek to the French Broad River. It transitions from gravel to dirt. Along the road, there are several marked campsites, including several riverside. At its namesake…
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Trail 12 splits into two parts in the OHV area. It is divided by private land. For mapping purposes, this trail has been labeled "12a" and "12b". 12b is an easy drive and is a…
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Trail 29 is a longer trail running from east and west near the far west side of the Black Mountain ORV Adventure Area. The trail ends on the west side at a private property which…
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This short route is a must-see if you're in the area. If you're traveling Hurricane Gap it's well worth the detour. There area few campsites on the way up the mountain. Cell service is available,…
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Trail 25 is an enjoyable drive. This dirt trail has very few rocks and little elevation. It is fairly wide and away from the very edge of the mountain. There are some large, shallow water…
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The majority of this trail is flat (the flattest in the park) with some shallow water/mud holes with solid bottoms. The terrain is small gravel-like rock mixed with softball-sized rocks. This drive is very picturesque,…
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This green trail is almost 8 miles of gravel road. Enjoy a trip through the forest in most SUV's and 4x4's. The entire track can be done in 2WD with only a few muddy crossings.…
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This track will take you down to Highway 510 on Line Fork. It is mostly gravel with a few spots to cross mud holes. Take it slow, and you could see wildlife along your route.…
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No Business Knob is a tight but simple trail located in Cherokee National Forest. You will most likely get pinstripes from the branches lining the trail in an SUV or truck. The trail is just…
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101 runs from the General Store / Parking Area to the south side of the park out to State Highway 510. This route would be a main trailhead to access many of the other park…
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