Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A one-way mountain road through stream valleys, old farmsteads and forest just beyond Gatlinburg.
A forest drive from town
The 5.5-mile, one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail follows a narrow, winding road through the forest above Gatlinburg. Streams tumble beside the route, with glimpses of old-growth woods and historic buildings along the way. Roaring Fork takes its name from the fast-flowing stream, especially lively after rain. The road is seasonal and can also close for weather or other conditions; check the park’s schedule and current alerts before setting out.
From traffic light 8 on the Parkway, follow Historic Nature Trail Road to the Cherokee Orchard entrance. The one-way motor trail begins on the right beyond the Rainbow Falls parking areas. Allow at least an hour for the drive, plus time for stops; traffic can make it considerably longer. Once on the one-way road, follow it through rather than expecting to turn back for a missed stop.
Historic mountain homes
The Ogle place sits on Cherokee Orchard Road before the motor trail entrance. Its saddlebag cabin, barn and tub mill offer a look at a mountain farmstead: the 0.8-mile nature trail passes the barn and mill as it loops through hardwood forest. The mill used a stream to turn a horizontal wheel for grinding grain, a reminder of how closely farming here depended on the water.
Along the motor trail itself, the Ephraim Bales cabin and other preserved homesites add another perspective on the communities that lived here before the national park. The park’s self-guiding auto tour booklet, available at visitor centers, adds context to the numbered roadside stops. These are historic places to explore respectfully, not merely backdrops for a drive.
From the Trillium Gap trailhead on the one-way road, the park describes a 2.6-mile round-trip hike through forest and rhododendron to a waterfall with a path behind it. Roots, stream crossings and wet rocks require care. Parking is very limited and often full; have another destination in mind and never park in a marked no-parking area. Access from this trailhead depends on the road’s seasonal opening and current conditions.
Near the end of the road, water divides into small cascades across a rock face. The flow is most pronounced after heavy rain, and the falls can be seen from the road or a nearby pullout. View from the designated area; wet rocks are slippery and have caused injuries.
Before the motor trail entrance, Rainbow Falls is a separate, moderately strenuous 5.4-mile round-trip hike with a steep climb. It is not a quick roadside stop. The park allows pets on only two trails, not on these hikes; check the park’s current rules before bringing a dog.
The road is narrow, steep and one-way. The park’s Roaring Fork visitor guidance prohibits buses, trailers and motorhomes; its road regulations also restrict vans over 25 feet. Use a suitable smaller vehicle. Stop only in designated pullouts or parking spaces, keep all four wheels out of the roadway, and never block traffic.
A parking tag is required for a vehicle parked in the national park for more than 15 minutes. Tags are not sold in the Roaring Fork area, so buy one beforehand; a tag does not guarantee a space. Seasonal dates are schedules, not promises: check both road status and current closures. If the motor trail is closed or lots are full, consider the Gatlinburg Trail or another park outing after checking its own conditions.
For a broader choice between a riverside walk, Roaring Fork and a drive to Newfound Gap, see our first Smokies weekend comparison. The Gatlinburg itinerary pairs a park visit with a two-night Gatlinburg stay.
Official park information
Use the National Park Service’s current notices for seasonal access, trail conditions and parking rules.
