Spent way too much time at Smoky Mountain Knife Works

 

My wife and I did the parsons branch rd at the end of Cade's cove. It's just a gravel road goes up an across the mountain and down the other side. There's a few creek crossing. But there's pavement int the creek! It nice an cool ride. With the leaves on there's not much to see. It's a nice ride though. It's worth the trip.
I too would like to find some better trails close to there.
Stop by jeepism in Townsends tn. Real nice people. They have nice shirts too!

 

I just got back from a trip to pigeon forge, if you plan on going to clingmans dome. Start walking now to prepare. It is a paved half mile walk with a unforgiving uphill climb. It is not for those that eat snack cakes and watch tv in their spare time like myself. Ha!

I also recommend Cade's cove. It is a scary feeling when a bear is within 4 foot of you jeep while you have your doors and top off!! Wife is saying stop so I can get a picture. I am thinking we need to get the crap out of here!! Ha!

 

There's Parson's Branch that is an unimproved road from Cade's Cove out of the park to the Dragon's Tail. Nice road, condition of it varies, but nothing intense.

There is another unimproved road that leads out of the park to HomeStead. Very nice ride.

My favorite is in the north east corner of the park, the road is called Black Bear Pass (I believe). It starts near the town of Cherokee NC. Long winding unimproved road that crawls around the side of the mountains. It takes a few hours to drive it. About 20 miles long, if I remember correctly.

Other than that, just pick side roads and explore!!

Nice area.

Greg

 

It's Balsam Mountain Road, I haven't had a chance to drive it. I was there in October last year and it was closed because of the government shutdown. We will be going back in October again this year and as my luck would have it closes Oct 15 we arrive Oct 18.

Here is a link to the GSM look at the map at the bottom of the page any of the black roads are gravel roads. There is one on the east side of the park also.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

 

Thanks for the correction. It's been a few years since I drove it (also due to it being closed )

 

Definitely go to Durhamtown Tellico in Murphy, NC. You will love it.

 

Like I said, do everything! lol! My wife and I had a blast there! In all seriousness though, f**k Bella. That bitch.