SCENIC DRIVES IN TENNESSEE

🚗 Scenic Drives Near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville, Tennessee

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing mountain drive, spectacular overlooks, wildlife, winding roads, or a scenic day trip, the Smoky Mountain area has plenty of beautiful routes to explore. Some are just minutes from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, while others make wonderful half-day or full-day excursions.

🌄 Scenic Drives Close to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg & Sevierville

1. Wears Valley Road (US 321 / TN 73)
A beautiful drive between Pigeon Forge and Townsend through Wears Valley. Expect mountain views, rolling farmland, local shops, and plenty of places to stop along the way. It also provides access to the Foothills Parkway.

2. Foothills Parkway ⭐
One of the best scenic drives near Pigeon Forge. The parkway offers spectacular panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding valleys. Consider driving both the Wears Valley-to-Townsend section and the eastern Cosby section.

3. Little River Road
Runs between Gatlinburg and Townsend through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road follows the Little River and offers waterfalls, mountain scenery, picnic areas, and numerous pull-offs.

4. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
A one-way loop near Gatlinburg featuring rushing mountain streams, historic cabins, old-growth forest, and beautiful scenery. It's particularly pretty in the spring and fall.

5. Newfound Gap Road (US 441) ⭐
The main road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, North Carolina. It climbs through several elevations and includes numerous scenic overlooks, including Newfound Gap.

6. Cades Cove Loop Road ⭐
An 11-mile one-way loop surrounded by mountains and open meadows. Keep your eyes open for deer, wild turkeys, black bears, and other wildlife. Historic cabins, churches, and other structures make this one of the most popular drives in the Smokies.

7. Laurel Creek Road
A beautiful route connecting the Townsend area with Cades Cove. It's a peaceful alternative for visitors approaching Cades Cove from the west.

8. Greenbrier Road
Located east of Gatlinburg, this quieter drive follows the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River through the Greenbrier area of the Smokies. It's a good choice for visitors looking to get away from some of the heavier traffic.

🏔️ Scenic Mountain Drives & High-Elevation Routes

9. Kuwohi Road (formerly Clingmans Dome Road) ⭐
The road leading toward Kuwohi, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive offers spectacular mountain scenery, although the road ends several miles below the summit. From the parking area, visitors can hike to the observation tower.

10. Cataloochee Valley Road
A more remote Smoky Mountain drive leading into Cataloochee Valley. The area is known for historic buildings, mountain scenery, and wildlife—including elk.

11. Blue Ridge Parkway ⭐
A spectacular scenic route extending through North Carolina and Virginia. The section near Cherokee makes a wonderful day trip from the Smoky Mountains and offers countless overlooks and mountain vistas.

12. Balsam Mountain Road & Heintooga Ridge Road
High-elevation scenic routes accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. These roads provide beautiful views and a more remote mountain experience. Check current road conditions and seasonal closures before going.

13. Little River Gorge Road
A scenic mountain route in the Townsend area with forested scenery and access to the Little River and surrounding Smokies attractions.

🦌 Scenic Drives & Mountain Areas Worth the Day Trip

14. Tail of the Dragon (US 129) ⭐
A famous 11-mile stretch with 318 curves near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. It's particularly popular with motorcyclists and sports-car enthusiasts. Even if you're not driving it for the curves, the surrounding mountain scenery is beautiful.

15. Cherohala Skyway ⭐
A spectacular National Scenic Byway extending from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, into North Carolina. The route climbs to high elevations and features numerous overlooks and expansive mountain views.

16. Roan Mountain / Roan Mountain State Park
A beautiful mountain area in northeast Tennessee with scenic roads, forested landscapes, and access to the Roan Highlands. It's a longer excursion from Pigeon Forge but can make a wonderful day trip.

17. Cherokee National Forest
Rather than being one specific road, Cherokee National Forest contains numerous scenic mountain routes, overlooks, rivers, and recreation areas. It's worth including as a broader scenic-driving destination.

18. Lakeview Drive – Bryson City, NC
A scenic route near Bryson City that provides beautiful views of Fontana Lake and the surrounding mountains. It's a good addition if you're including scenic day trips beyond the immediate Smoky Mountain area.

🚙 Scenic Tours

19. Pink Jeep Tours – Pigeon Forge
If you'd like to enjoy the scenery without doing all the driving yourself, Pink Jeep Tours offers guided sightseeing experiences around the Smoky Mountains. This is better categorized as a scenic tour rather than a scenic drive.

🍂 Best Times for a Scenic Drive

The Smoky Mountains are beautiful year-round, but each season offers something different:

• 🌸 Spring: Wildflowers, rushing streams, and fresh green foliage
• ☀️ Summer: Lush forests and comfortable mountain scenery
• 🍂 Fall: Brilliant autumn foliage and one of the busiest times of year
• ❄️ Winter: More open mountain views and fewer crowds, but some roads may be closed because of snow or seasonal restrictions

Important: Mountain weather can change quickly, and roads in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding mountains can close because of weather, construction, accidents, or seasonal restrictions. Check current road conditions before heading out.

⭐ My Top 10 for Visitors Staying in Pigeon Forge

• Foothills Parkway
• Cades Cove Loop Road
• Newfound Gap Road
• Wears Valley Road
• Little River Road
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
• Kuwohi Road
• Cataloochee Valley Road
• Tail of the Dragon
• Cherohala Skyway