Attractions / Activities
Scenic Motorcycle Rides/Auto Tours in the Smokies
Gatlinburg is known as the "Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains" and for good reason. More than nine million visitors travel into or out of the Smoky Mountains through Gatlinburg every year. Why? Because the area is argueably home to our nation's most beautiful scenery and wildlife that is easily experienced by auto, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot, you choose.
A great way to experience the area is to "circumnavigate the smokies", one ride at a time. By baseing your stay in Gatlinburg in a private vacation cabin and picking the rides you want to see. You can spend a day or a week circling the Smokies seeing all the best known sites one scenic ride after another.
Mountain roads take travelers off the beaten path for an unforgettable tour through some of the Smokies' most
interesting places. Most of these scenic roads have scenic overlooks and places where you can safely pulloff the road to enjoy the wonders of the Smoky Mountains which makes for an opportunity to take some treasured photographs!
GUESTS BRINGING TRAILERS OR CAMPERS: Due to the hilly topography and limited parking in the Gatlinburg area it can be difficult to almost impossible to find parking for trailers or large vehicles. If you are bringing a trailer of any kind please be sure to seek advice from our reservations staff prior to making your reservations. Campers are not allowed unless they are parked at an RV lot.
Web Cam for Great Smoky Mountains
| Road | One-way Mileage | Driving Time | Location | Road Condition |
| Biltmore Estate from Gatlinburg | 87 | 2-8 hours | Asheville, NC | Two-Way and Interstate |
| Cherokee from Gatlinburg | 50 | 1-2 hours | Cherokee, NC | Two-Way Paved |
| Blue Ridge Parkway | +/- 469 | 4hr.- All Day | Cherokee, NC to Waynesville, NC or more | Two-Way Paved, Scenic |
| Little River Road to Townsend | 19 | 1-2 hours | Sugarlands Welcome Center, Hwy 73 | Two-way, paved, Beautiful Scenery on River |
| Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome | 20 | 2-4 hours | Hwy 441 South | Two-way, paved |
| Cades Cove Loop | 11 | 1-4 hours | Cades Cove District | One-way, paved |
| Cataloochee | 6 | 2-5 hours | I-40 at U.S. 276 | Two-way, dead end Elk in the Park |
| Cherohala Skyway | 65 | 2-8 hours | Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina | Two-way, paved with fantastic views. |
| Deals Gap/The Tail of the Dragon | 59 |
4-8 hours | Townsend to Foothills Parkway | Two-way, paved, very curvy. Known as "Tail of the Dragon" |
| Foothills Parkway East | 6 | 2-4 hours | Hwy. 321, Cosby | Two-way, paved |
| Foothills Parkway West | 18 | 2-4 hours | U.S. 321N to U.S. 129 | Two-way, paved, ends at the "Tail of the Dragon" |
| Heintooga Ridge | 6 | 1 hour | Balsam Mountain Road | Two-way, paved |
| Lakeview Drive | 6 | 20 min. | Bryson City, NC | Two-way, dead end |
| Parson Branch | 8 | 1 hour | Cades Cove | One-way, unpaved |
| Rich Mountain Road | 7 | 1-2 hours | Cades Cove | One-way, unpaved |
| Roaring Fork Motor Trail CLOSED TEMP. | 5 | 1-3 hours | Historic Nature Trail Road at Traffic Light #8, Gatlinburg. | One-way, paved |
Note: The driving times listed above are estimates. Your actual time may be longer depending on where you start or when traffic is heavier.
Click Here to receive our special offers and promotions.
Back to Attractions / Activities Index
