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Reported: August 2024

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail...

Scenic Drive and Bike Route in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow and winding road following Roaring Fork, a fast-moving mountain stream. Starting in Gatlinburg, the first 2.5 miles is two-way traffic, and the last 5.5 miles is one-way. One of the most popular drives in the Smokies, the route featuress historic buildings, old grist mills, streams, waterfalls, old growth forest, and mountain views. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Biking Map...
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - Great Smoky Mountains

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Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee (See map)
Distance: 2.5 miles paved, 5.5 miles unpaved
Surface: Paved and gravel
Trailheads/Parking: Trailheads, historic sites, overlooks, roadside

Bike Shops/Rentals: N/A

Biking at Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail... Comments and Photos

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail roadway is bikeable and a great way to view the surroundings up-close, but it's narrow and winding - car traffic can be heavy so be careful. Some hills and grades can be challenging (especially for us Florida bikers). No RV's, trucks or trailers are allowed. There are no visitor centers or facilities. Unlike Cades Cove, there are no car-free days. The road is closed in winter.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Features along the trail:

• Historic Sites: Historic buildings including Ogle Place, Alex Cole Cabin and Jim Bales Place, Ephraim Bales Place, Alfred Reagan House and Tub Mill, Ely's Mill.
• Waterfalls: Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, Baskin Falls, Place of a Thousand Drips
• Hiking: Rainbow Falls Trail, Trillium Gap Trail (to Grotto Falls), Baskins Creek Trail, Graveyard Ridge Trail

Sights along the Road

Roaring Fork (30 sec. video)

The "roaring" flow would be more apparent after a heavy rain

Ephraim Bales Place

Ephraim Bales Place

 

 

 

 

 

Family homestead (home to family with 9 children), barn, corn crib and pig pen. A path (the old road) follows Roaring Fork with scenic views.

Alfred Reagan House & Tub Mill

Alfred Reagan Place

Tub mill

 

Aqueduct

House (1890) and tub mill (1900). A tub mill is a smaller version of a grist mill, processng one bushel at a time.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:
Great Smoky Mountains (Overview)
Townsend Historical Trail

Related Resources:
National Park Service - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Roaring Fork

Support and Advocacy:
Friends of the Smokies