Recommendations for solo sightseeing trips in Gatlinburg

[greenseaman]

Hey guys! We’re taking a little mini vacay to get away from the flooding in Conway, SC after Florence in Gatlinburg till Sunday. We’ll probably do Dollywood Saturday and Dixie Stampede Friday afternoon. Was thinking about heading to Cade’s cove and the park and ride in the Hundy with the family while the weather is not so great. Are there any good forest service roads that are Between Gatlinburg and Cade’s cove for some good riding, with the stock 100? Anything else to do while we’re up here? Thanks in advance!!

 

[jynx]

If you get to Cades cove, there is a service road that comes off the back side of the loop that I ran across several years ago online, but haven't been able to get up there to try out. It is called Parsons Branch Road and spits you out about mid-way thru the tail of the dragon. Read an article about it written by a dual-sport guy. It is closed Nov-Mar, and I believe it is mostly gravel with some water crossings in there. I really want to try it out, but I struggle with Cades Cove. So many folks that have never seen deer and can't read. (Signs say "DO NOT STOP ON ROADWAY", but they will.) Last time thru it was a several hour trip, maybe it will be better, but just be prepared for the site seers.

Link here: Parsons Branch Road - Smokies Adventure

Wish I had more to offer, but between Cades and that little side adventure, probably be a decent day. He does link to another road in the article that might be worth a look.

 

[oldredfj60]

Unfortunately, Parson's Branch has been closed for quite a while - not sure it'll ever be reopened.

If you get to Cades cove, there is a service road that comes off the back side of the loop that I ran across several years ago online, but haven't been able to get up there to try out. It is called Parsons Branch Road and spits you out about mid-way thru the tail of the dragon. Read an article about it written by a dual-sport guy. It is closed Nov-Mar, and I believe it is mostly gravel with some water crossings in there. I really want to try it out, but I struggle with Cades Cove. So many folks that have never seen deer and can't read. (Signs say "DO NOT STOP ON ROADWAY", but they will.) Last time thru it was a several hour trip, maybe it will be better, but just be prepared for the site seers.

Link here: Parsons Branch Road - Smokies Adventure

Wish I had more to offer, but between Cades and that little side adventure, probably be a decent day. He does link to another road in the article that might be worth a look.

 

[jynx]

Unfortunately, Parson's Branch has been closed for quite a while - not sure it'll ever be reopened.

Well ! Guess I waited too dang long. That sucks, I have had that on my "to-do" list for years... Wonder if the Park Service would let us help clear trees or provide other assistance to make repairs so it can be re-opened?

 

[oldredfj60]

I've seen discussions about that, but there has been no progress to my knowledge. Some of the guys on the ETO FaceBook group have apparently tried to no avail.

Well ! Guess I waited too dang long. That sucks, I have had that on my "to-do" list for years... Wonder if the Park Service would let us help clear trees or provide other assistance to make repairs so it can be re-opened?

 

[greenseaman]

Thanks so much! Going to Cade’s cove now!

 

[jynx]

Thanks so much! Going to Cade’s cove now!

Looks like Rich Mtn road might still be an option. Be safe

 

[greenseaman]

Rode around Cade’s cove and went hiking in the rain! Overall had fun! Thanks guys!

 

[LDowney]

Carolyn and I are in Gatlinburg now for our anniversary. We had intended to spend two days of casual hiking, but the weather got us wet too.

On the fly, we switched to other activities. The ones that Carolyn has enjoyed are
Ober Gatlinburg
Tram Car ride was appreciated
Bumper Cars at the ice rink (in the mall at Ober)
Gatlinburg
Star Cars
Space Needle
Strolling around
Pigeon Forge
Dolly's Stampede

We have reservations in Bryson City so we are switching this morning. We are looking forward to spending some extra time seeing the sights along 441 on the drive to Cherokee.

Hope your trip is great

 

[greenseaman]

Thanks Larry! Happy anniversary! Ober will probably be our next stop!

 

[FerrisBueller]

We're planning to travel with the kids from Texas out to Gatlinburg late Sept / early Oct. Getting an Airbnb for 4 -5 days and planning the traditional tourist things around that area. I would like to take the LC on at least one trail with the fam while we're there. It seems like Cade's Cove is a good option. Any others we should consider? Not looking for anything too challenging, but a fun trail for the family.

 

[Monty231]

Cade's Cove is good, but it will be congested. You could hit up the Nemo tunnel in Wartburg, TN, bring your fishing pole or swimming trunks and enjoy the river or continue on down to the old railroad bridge and hike. Afterwards you could hit up Brushy Mountain Prison for a tour. There is also the Hurricane Creek trail right off I40 on the TN/NC state line, it may be more than what you're looking to do though.

 

[atlhoo]

We're planning to travel with the kids from Texas out to Gatlinburg late Sept / early Oct. Getting an Airbnb for 4 -5 days and planning the traditional tourist things around that area. I would like to take the LC on at least one trail with the fam while we're there. It seems like Cade's Cove is a good option. Any others we should consider? Not looking for anything too challenging, but a fun trail for the family.

We're doing the same for our "fall break" in late September now that our annual trip is cancelled due to covid. I was looking for similar options to combine with some trails in N. Georgia and came across the following links that may be helpful to you.

Where To Find Unpaved Gravel Roads in the Smoky Mountains: Smoky Mountains Blog Post

Explore these scenic gravel roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Enjoy rugged, unpaved adventure and explore some secluded places in the Smoki

www.cabinsusa.com

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gatlinburgrecovers.com

 

[FerrisBueller]

We're doing the same for our "fall break" in late September now that our annual trip is cancelled due to covid. I was looking for similar options to combine with some trails in N. Georgia and came across the following links that may be helpful to you.

Where To Find Unpaved Gravel Roads in the Smoky Mountains: Smoky Mountains Blog Post

Explore these scenic gravel roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Enjoy rugged, unpaved adventure and explore some secluded places in the Smoki

www.cabinsusa.com

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This is perfect, thanks!

We were already planning to do Roaring Fork and hike some of the trails that branch off of it. We were also going to drive Cade's Cove, and I didn't realize there were good unpaved trails branching off from it (from your first link) - so that really sounds ideal.

We're planning a straight-shot 15-hour drive there from TX the first day, and a another single-day drive home on the last day, with 3 days in the Smokies / Gatlinburg. I think that will be enough time to drive and hike everything we want. We really want to use the time there to be outdoors, and will probably end up avoiding most of the in-town stuff. If your trip is at the end of Sept, then our time there might overlap with yours.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Just wanted to follow up here - Gatlinburg and the surrounding area was great. Here are some of the pics of the area I posted in other threads:

Rich Mountain Road going north from Cade's Cove near Gatlinburg, TN. The gravel road is pretty tame, but it's a great drive & views.

The Cruiser in its natural habitat at the tops of mountains...

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There was a random 100-foot, root-filled dirt pull out area at the top, otherwise the whole road was gravel.

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Those are the only ones I thought to take with the LC in the frame. But yeah, got a lot more great views and photos in general over the next few days of vacation. It's great in that area because no matter where you are, you're in forests and mountains. It's also pretty common around there to see all kinds of animals - we saw a ton of turkeys, a black bear cub, coyotes, deer, and random other animals along the trails. There are tons of hiking trails (900 miles worth) and streams & waterfalls everywhere. Lots of campgrounds, too, but we rented a cabin since we didn't want to haul all our camping gear with us on this trip.

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