Jeep Trails To Adventure On
Fourwheeling and exploring the Smoky Mountains by jeep is one of those experiences in life that you wouldn’t seriously think “man, how did I ever live before I started doing this?” but that’s one of the many joys we provide our visitors to East Tennessee at Smoky Mountain Jeep Rentals.
How so? Now that you have your jeep, where should you go with it? The Smoky Mountains provide ample exploration opportunities, more than a full month’s worth could allow, and on this page, we’ll offer you a starting place to begin your Jeep Adventure!
Recommended destinations include:
Newfound Gap
One of the most famous roads going through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Newfound Gap extends from the Spur in Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North Carolina. This road is an hour-long drive between Gatlinburg to Cherokee and provides access to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, nearly a dozen stops along the road for breathtaking views, and more than a few hiking trails along the way. This is even the site where President Franklin Delano Roosevelt officially dedicated the park to what it is today back in 1940.
Find it on Google Maps here.
Little River Road
Another road going straight through the National Park that connects Gatlinburg to Townsend. This road starts at Sugarlands Visitor Center (which is also the East Tennessee National Park Service Headquarters) and drives for 18 miles through gorgeous greenery, waterfalls, and the river alongside it. If you wanted a fun and quiet way to visit Townsend, a fun and quiet destination itself, this is the road you want to drive on!
Find it on Google Maps here.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
This road starts up at the top of Airport Road in downtown Gatlinburg and is exactly the kind of sightseeing adventure you should take our jeeps on! The Motor Nature Trail is a 6 mile, one way loop that offers a multitude of items worth breaking the camera out for. Rushing streams, old-growth forest, well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and some of the most popular waterfalls in all the Smokies.
Find it on Google Maps here.
Cades Cove
The crown jewels of the historical Smoky Mountains, enough can’t be said about Cades Cove and no serious road trip through the National Park is complete without a visit. To put it simply, you can find incredible views, historical buildings, wildlife sightings of deer, bears, coyote and turkeys, visitor center and much more. This is an 11-mile, one-way loop just outside of Townsend, TN, near Wears Valley. More on Cades Cove can be found here – http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm.
Find it on Google Maps here.
Metcalf Bottoms
Want to look for a cool little pavilion spot for a picnic in the Smokies? Metcalf Bottoms is your place to go to. It’s surrounded by the thick forestry of the mountains, is located about 11 miles from Gatlinburg, and offers visitors proper ample opportunity to go grilling, hiking, fishing and view wildlife in the vicinity.
Find it on Google Maps here.
Townsend Wye
Probably the most famous river in East Tennessee as far as visitor interaction is concerned, the Townsend Wye (pronounced “Y”) is the landmark that made Townsend what it is today. It is a moderately shallow stream perfectly sized for families and groups to enjoy swimming, fishing, tubing and many other riparian entertainments and you can bet it’s gorgeous to drive alongside of as well. Combine it with a trip to Cades Cove or Gatlinburg through Little River Road and you have one heck of a good adventuring day ahead of you!
Find it on Google Maps here.
Chimney Tops
Nothing puts the “adventure” in a Smoky Mountain adventure of any kind like a hike through the natural mountain itself, and Chimney Tops is one of the best trails you’ll ever go on. Nearly 4 miles in length roundtrip, you gain over 1,400 feet in elevation trekking up the immaculate path and features outstanding views of the Smokies you almost can’t get anywhere else. Chimney Tops is found on Newfound Gap road, and you could schedule a full day of adventurin’ just doing these two destinations alone.
Find it on Google Maps here.