Trail Overview

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 needed at all for the route and is friendly for stock-height vehicles.

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Difficulty

One vehicle wide with occasional pull-offs. One-way route. Many shallow water crossings, all less than 1ft deep. Possibility of trees on the road after heavy storms. If not for those mentioned, I would give this trail a 1 for its rating.

History

The route was completed in 1838. It connects Cades Cove to Tail of the Dragon.

Technical Rating

Nathan

Oct 17, 2026

2016 Lexus GX460

Open

Normal

Very fun drive from Cades Cove to the Dragon. The start of the trail had some fairly deep whoops that required A-TRAC use on my lightly modified GX460.

Jeff Gora

Oct 16, 2026

2021 Ford Bronco

Open

Normal

One hill on the Gregory Ridge side that took effort/4L to get up (heading South) - otherwise an easy and beautiful drive. (A suburban and 2500 pickup passed me heading in the same direction.)

Connor A

Oct 13, 2026

2003 Lexus LX

Open

Normal

Beautiful scenic trail. Easy gravel, just one hill with some good ruts that needs 4wd.

Chris J

Oct 13, 2026

2025 Land Rover Defender

Open

Normal

Fun trail to drive. Most of the creek crossings are only about an inch deep or dry because of the drought. Well maintained road. Only one uphill early into the trail had deep ruts.

Bryan Robison

Oct 11, 2026

2024 Ford Bronco

Open

Muddy/Wet

Bear, deer, hogs

Cory Gerlach

Oct 04, 2026

Open

Muddy/Wet

We had a great time and was our first off-road experience in our new Gladiator. The trail was not too difficult.

Al Gleason

Oct 02, 2026

2026 Nissan Pro-4X

Open

NormalDusty

Beautiful Drive - my first off-road in my new 2026 Frontier Pro4x. All stock. Easy drive - went into 4wd once because I stopped going up a hill. Saw several bears. Nice and off the beaten path. Saw a few Jeeps and met one brave bicyclist.

Dwain Pannell

Sep 20, 2026

2022 Ford Badlands

Open

Easy trail. Linked up with another group of Broncos. Some were from Ontario. It was cool to meet likeminded trail riders.

Alex n

Sep 13, 2026

2025 Nissan Frontier Pro 4-X

Open

Normal

Owen sayle

Aug 22, 2026

2017 GMC Seirra 1500

Open

Normal

Went back in late may was a literally a compacted gravel road with some water crossings. Any car with 3+ inches of clearance can do it if it’s not raining and the driver is somewhat competent.

Jeff Strader

Aug 21, 2026

Open

Crowded but nice drive through.

peter s

Aug 20, 2026

2023 Jeep Gladiator

Open

Normal

Very nice ride through the woods. Nice climbs and descents. Easy trail.

chad Williams

Aug 20, 2026

2019 Jeep Wrangler

Open

Muddy/Wet

This was a nice trail has a few water crossings fairly shallow. Some nice climbs and a few little twists

Don Britton

Aug 18, 2026

2023 Ford Bronco

Open

Normal

15 concrete water crossing 2-3". Stock outer banks 2-door Bronco - nothing difficult, no concerns for wife’s daily driver.

Thien Nguyen

Aug 15, 2026

2026 Ram 2500

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Easy and fun trail. A lot of cross river