5 Beautiful Scenic Drives in the Great Smoky Mountains
One of the things that the Smoky Mountains are known for are the beautiful scenic drives. There are five different options and we loved all of them. This guide outlines the different scenic drives in the Great Smoky Mountains including how to get there, distances, and where to stop along the way!
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Your Guide to the 5 Best Scenic Drives in the Great Smoky Mountains
Planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the scenic drives! One of the major ways that people explore the Smokies is in their car, and we can see why. Of course, we love getting out on the trails, but the scenic drives are absolutely beautiful!
For more trip planning resources, check out our Ultimate Guide to the Smoky Mountains with Kids
1. Cades Cove
Cades Cove is by far the most popular scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains and probably the most popular area in all of the park. We heard from multiple people before visiting that we MUST visit Cades Cove!
The 11 mile one way loop was very beautiful, but VERY busy, and that fact should not be underestimated. We got going pretty early in the day on a weekday and still ended up sitting in traffic for at least an hour.
There are so many great stops along the drive in Cades Cove so if you want to spend the day hiking and finding unique historical landmarks this is definitely the Smokies scenic drive for you.
We walked to the John Oliver cabin which was a really nice area. It was so beautiful and peaceful early in the morning and is located close to the beginning of the drive. It’s one of the awesome easy hikes in the Smoky Mountains that was perfect for kids.
TIP: My unpopular opinion is that I would prioritize the other scenic drives on this list first – mostly because of the crowds at Cades Cove. But if you’re willing to spend 2-4 hours in the car here (sometimes going 1-2 mph) then there are some really beautiful places to see. If you have 3 days in the Smoky Mountains (or more!) I would add this on to your itinerary!
2. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail was another great scenic drive that is less busy than Cades Cove. It’s also much closer to Gatlinburg so we found it easier to get to the start earlier in the day.
Just before starting the drive, we hiked the Noah Ogle Bud Place Trail. The cabin was stunning in the fall. If you want to just look at the cabin it’s just off the road, or you can hike along the short trail if you want a bit more exploring in the area. If you have two days in the Smoky Mountains I would highly recommend adding this drive to your itinerary!
Then start the 5.5 mile one way scenic loop. It has less mountain views compared to Cades Cove, but the fall colors were really pretty and we saw a black bear along the road here.
Don’t miss the couple of pullouts that do have really nice views of the surrounding mountains. Most are on the second half of the road. Generally you will be driving slow enough that they will be hard to miss.
3. Foothills Parkway
The Foothills Parkway is a stunning drive that was approved by Congress to be built in 1944. The 72 mile corridor is yet to be completed, but has sections that are open for driving on.
We drove a beautiful section of the Foothills Parkway West closest to Gatlinburg (starting at Wears Valley)! For dinner we grabbed a pizza from Gatlinburg Brewing on the way out of town, and found a beautiful pull off to eat pizza and watch the sunset.
Another section of the trail is currently open starting from Cosby, but it’s a very short section (about 5 miles). You will be better off exploring west of Gatlinburg compared to east unless you are already in the area!
TIP: definitely check for road closures before your trip in case they are doing construction on the parkway.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a famous road managed by the National Park Service that is an adventure all in its own. It’s nicknamed “America’s Favorite Drive” and it’s a total of 469 miles long!
You really can make this a whole trip on its own with so many awesome stops along the way. We drove a short portion of the road which starts in Cherokee, North Carolina.
It’s difficult to go wrong with the pullouts because there are so many beautiful views no matter where you stop! Check out the National Park Service website for more information on planning your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
5. Newfound Gap Road
Our favorite scenic drive on this trip was driving Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg to Cherokee and is the highlight of our 1 day Smoky Mountain itinerary. There are tons of awesome stops along the road and at the top you can see incredible views from Kuwohi (the highest point in Tennessee) or from Newfound Gap Overlook.
You can also check out Mingo Falls if you’re going all the way to Cherokee!
This is the main road that goes through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg to Cherokee. Our favorite things to do along the road are:
- Explore Cherokee & Mingo Falls
- Experience a sunset at Kuwohi
- Take a picture at the North Carolina and Tennessee State Line (found at Newfound Gap Overlook)
- Walk along a portion of the Appalachian Trail (also at Newfound Gap Overlook)
- Stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for souvenirs
Planning Your Trip to the Smoky Mountains
The Smoky Mountains is the most visited National Park in the whole United States, so you’ll definitely want to do some planning before your visit. We have you covered with all kinds of tips and tricks to help you have the best trip ever.
Where to Stay
Figuring out where to stay in the Smoky Mountains can be a bit of a tough decision. There are benefits to staying in each area, but you’ll have a pretty different trip if you stay in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Cherokee. We have a full guide to where to stay in the Smokies that can help you choose what the right fit for you is!
Things to Know
One important thing to know before going to the busiest park in the United States is how to avoid crowds. We had a much more enjoyable trip when we got going early in the morning, got out on the trails, and avoided the popular areas mid day.
Make sure you avoid these mistakes when visiting the Smoky Mountains and read our list of things to know about the Smoky Mountains!
Other Things to Do
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a big park, so there are tons of things to do! We loved the family friendly hiking, enjoying all of the beautiful fall colors, and looking for wildlife (especially the black bears!)
I hope you enjoy all of these incredible scenic drives in the Great Smoky Mountains. We loved our experience here and these drives were perfect for a little nap time exploring with the kids. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
