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

Dustin C

yesterday

Temporarily Closed

Seasonal Closure

Corey R.

Nov 06, 2026

2025 Ford F-150 Raptor

Open

Normal

Very easy trail. A Honda CRV could likely complete with 0 issues. Great fall colors all around.

Tony Marsili

Nov 05, 2026

2018 Jeep Wrangler

Temporarily Closed

Weather Event

Closed for downed trees

Pete Angle

Oct 30, 2026

2025 GMC AT4

Open

Normal

I actually rode my Husqvarna. Motorcycles are allowed on this road. It was a beautiful day to send it.

Bob S

Oct 25, 2026

2025 Toyota 4Runner

Open

Normal

Great drive down to come out on the Dragons Tail! Trail was easily manageable with a stock 4x4 with clearance. Many water crossings but there had been no rain so they were no problem.

Jeff Nelson

Oct 21, 2026

Open

Normal

Easy one way trail from Cades Cover area and ends in the middle of Tail of the Dragon. Nice sightseeing trail, some ruts but easy. Did not need to use four wheel drive in Bronco. Creek crossings were shallow and paved.

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