Rugged Adventures Episode 6: Southeast Backcountry Route
With Zach Diehl
Join in as Zach Diehl and friends adventure on the Southeast Backcountry Route for a perfect weekend trip of relaxation and great camping. A lot of routes take pride in being harder than the last, but this one? This one is all about being mellow and low stakes—just a great adventure touring the Southeast with your best friends (or maybe just man’s best friend). Whatever flavor your group size might be, take comfort in knowing that camping is plentiful and well worth the shorter day out on the trail. There’s creek- and riverside camping along every turn, so bring your fishing gear, some cold snacks, and enjoy this relaxed route!
New onX Offroad Route:
Southeast Backcountry Route
With Chattanooga to the west, Atlanta to the south, Asheville to the east, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north, this route is smack in the middle of some of the best scenery—and off-road exploring—the South has to offer.
Start at one of the many waterfront campsites along Santeetlah Creek just over the North Carolina border before heading west into Tennessee where more camping and fishing options abound along the North and Tellico rivers. This route crosses three states, so if you’re planning to chase the region’s brown or brook trout, make sure you’ve got the right license for the state you’re in.
Soon you’ll be headed south to the very bottom corner of Tennessee and then across to Georgia, where you’ll pick up a section of the Georgia Traverse (link) and spend the night listening to Cooper Creek flow by from one of the excellent paid campsites along the way. Or press on to find dispersed camping options farther on, but beware, if it’s pouring rain you’re in for some mud.
Finish off with a northbound run back to North Carolina and celebrate the journey along the shore of Chatuge Lake, perfect for a dip or one more chance to land a trophy fish.
Save The Folder; Explore The Route
Download the Southeast Backcountry Route Folder to save it right to your onX Offroad App and share it with friends. You’ll have all the information you need to prepare and safely execute the Route, including Photo Waypoints that mark suggested campsites, and more. In the episode, this fish-friendly route was done in a weekend, but it can be easily adjusted as desired thanks to many forest roads and even off road parks in the area to extend your adventure.
