10 Most Scenic Drives in Tennessee
The dreamy landscapes of Tennessee can be explored in several ways, but nothing beats driving through them and soaking in these lovely views from the comfort of a vehicle. As the car speeds past gorgeous lakes or weaves through forests drenched with lush trees, travelers will be thrilled by the natural scenery while enjoying easy access to a host of sensational points of interest. Thankfully, the state is home to some of the best stretches of roads in the country, with most of them cutting through the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smoky Mountains. From the Foothills Parkway to Little River Road, here are 10 scenic drives that unveil the best scenery and highlight attractions of the Volunteer State.
The Foothills Parkway
The Foothills Parkway is a 33-mile, lesser-known, but stunning drive that offers stunning natural views. This 33-mile road connects US 321 and US 129 from Wears Valley to Chilhowee Lake. If you’re in Sevierville or Pigeon Forge, take a short drive to Wears Valley, where the parkway begins, and proceed on the smooth and peaceful ride to Walland and then to Chlhowee Lake. On the way, you’ll be flanked by gorgeous forests while enjoying the gorgeous sights of some Smoky Mountain peaks and the Cumberland Mountains. Several overlooks also line up along the parkway to offer more breathtaking views, including West Overlook 1, West Overlook 4, and Lock Rock Tower. These overlooks are not just beautiful but are nice spots to picnic and eat before continuing the journey. Travelers can also rest at Look Rock Campground, which has flush toilets, drinking water, and electricity hookups.
More highlights to check out on the parkway include Antique Outlet Mall, Snoring Bear Diner, the Barn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Chilhowee Lake, the Smoky Mountains, and Chilhowee Mountain.
Norris Freeway National Scenic Byway
The Norris Freeway is a 21-mile-long scenic byway that symbolizes America's early footprints in innovation, evident in the Norris Dam that was built to mitigate flooding in the Clinch and Powell River Watershed. Hence, the Norris Dam is one of the highlights of the scenic drive, which begins from Rock Top to the community of Halls in Knoxville. Travelers will cross this dam and ride through the Norris Dam State Park while bypassing towns in Knox, Campbell, and Anderson Counties. The state park is a great stop for fishing, boating, picnicking, canoeing, and sightseeing tours while visiting the town of Norris to explore and enjoy lunch.
More major highlights on the route include the Museum of Appalachia, Lenoir Museum, Clinch River, Big Ridge State Park, Rice Grist Mill, and Threshing Barn. Other highlight towns along the route to stop by and visit for small-town vibes and experiences include Andersonville, Clinton, and Norris.
Cumberland Historic Byway
The 200-mile Cumberland Historic Byway blends the rich history of American pioneers with the natural allure of the Northern Cumberland Plateau in one experience for road trippers. This trip starts from its eastern point in Cumberland Gap and winds through the towns of Rugby, Allardt, and Jamestown. On the way, visitors can stop by the historic town of Rugby, founded by British immigrants in the 1800s, and enjoy meals at the rustic R.M. Brooks General Store.
More great spots to explore along the way include the Cove Lake State Park, Devil's Racetrack, and Standing Stone State Rustic Park, among others. The byway eventually ends in the steamboat town of Celina and the confluence of the Cumberland and Obey Rivers, where travelers can stop for river adventures like canoeing.
Greenville to Pigeon Forge
The road trip from Greeneville to Pigeon Forge is a great choice for travelers who want to experience the best of Tennessee in one long adventure. The road stretches for just 54 miles via US Route 321 and Highway 411 through towns like Newport and Sevierville before it terminates at Pigeon Forge, where a host of adventures await. Start this trip with a visit to the City Garage Car Museum in Greeneville to see a diverse collection of vintage cars and trucks, and then enjoy some delicious Mexican meals at the Casa Guerrero Mexican Cuisine 1. Once in Newport, take a detour to Newport City Park to relax and enjoy some recreational activities like swimming, football, basketball, and jogging. Next, stop at the Rainforest Adventure Zoo in Sevierville to see over 600 rainforest animals representing 130 species.
At Pigeon Forge, there’s exploration galore as the town is home to dozens of some of the world’s most exciting attractions like the Titanic Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster, WonderWorks, Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, the Island in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood, and many more. Explore some of these attractions as time permits, and keep in mind that Pigeon Forge is one of the gateway towns to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where more thrilling adventures await.
Pigeon Forge to Townsend
If you’re in Pigeon Forge, the short 17-mile drive to Townsend is an experience worth having. This trip lasts for less than an hour via US Route 321, but the incredible sights along the way will surely make it longer, albeit more exciting. This drive winds through Wears Valley and features jaw-dropping views of the Great Smoky Mountains and easy access to a host of attractions. Some hot spots to stop and check out on the road include - Wear Farm City Park and the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster in Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley Zipline Adventures, and Smoky Mountain River Rat Main Tubing Outpost in Townsend.
Notably, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest downhill track in the US, while the Smoky Mountain River Rat is the best of its kind in Tennessee. These attractions require energy to enjoy, so be sure to stop at intervals to refill at some of the food establishments along the road, like Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack in Pigeon Forge, Hillbilly’s Restaurant in Wears Valley, and Peaceful Side Social in Townsend.
Ocoee River Scenic Byway
The Ocoee River Scenic Byway is a scenic national forest and state byway for nature lovers seeking unique ways of immersing in the grandeur of mother nature. This 26-mile scenic route courses through the Cherokee National Forest, featuring an assemblage of natural beauties. Travelers will drive past the gorgeous Parksville Lake before meeting the bluffs and gorge along the Ocoee River and the Ocoee Whitewater Center for kayaking and rafting adventures. The Tennessee Valley, the Cumberland Mountains, and far into the Georgia Mountains are also visual indulgences on this route.
Travelers can begin this scenic journey byway from Ducktown or Benton by getting on Highway 64/74, which travels along the Ocoee River and incorporates major stops for adventures, relaxation, picnics, and sightseeing. Highlights along the route include Chilhowee Mountain, Parksville Lake Ocoee, Chilhowee Recreation Area, Parksville Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Big Frog Mountain, Wilderness Area, and Ocoee River Gorge. With this trip lined up with thrilling attractions, it is important to refill before proceeding. So, travelers coming from Benton should refill at Ocoee Dam Deli & Diner, while those coming from Ducktown can head to Rod’s Rockin Rolls for some delicious Asian offerings.
Little River Road
The Little River Road is a lovely road trip that spoils tourists with fascinating visual treats across its 18-mile length. This road starts from the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg and stretches past dense forests, mountains, waterfalls, and creeks, and overlooks until it terminates at the Townsend Wye junction. From this Y-shaped junction, the road splits into two options, with the left leading to Cades Cove and the right leading to Townsend. Follow the road to Cades to enjoy this famous and quieter section of the Smoky Mountains.
Meanwhile, the route courses along the edges of the Little River for most of its length, and travelers can always stop by the river for fishing and other water sports. Interesting stops on the drive for picnics, sightseeing, and adventures include Maloney Point Overlook, Laurel Falls, The Sinks Waterfall, Meigs Falls, and Metcalf Bottoms. At Cades Cove, it’s a whole new world of adventures as the area has everything from a campground to a picnic area, hiking & biking trails, historical sites, wildlife, and stables for horseback riding.
Walton Road
Walton Road is a roughly 120-mile state scenic byway that immerses travelers in the lives of the state's pioneers and frontier settlements. However, it also combines panoramic views of dreamy landscapes, such as rivers, waterfalls, and valleys. This drive runs through the Cumberland Plateau from Kingston to Carthage, bypassing towns like Rockwood, Cookeville, Monterey, and Crossville. These pretty small towns provide the backdrop for travelers to rest, eat, and interact with America's small-town charms and people. Highlight attractions to visit on the route include Ozone Falls, Sam's Place, Fort Southwest Point in Kingston, Clinch and Tennessee River confluence, and Roane County Museum of History and Arts. For history enthusiasts, the drive is lined up with more highlights, such as the Historical Bethel Cemetery, Crossville Depot Museum, Cookeville Railroad Depot, and Monterey Depot Museum, among others.
East Tennessee Crossing Byway
The East Tennessee Crossing Byway is an 83-mile long ride to experience at least once in Tennessee as it is peppered with scenic views while connecting the Cumberland Gap to the Great Smoky Mountains. Travelers will wind past picturesque valleys, mountains, rivers, lakes, and streams as they explore the route in bliss. This byway begins from the Kentucky/Tennessee State Line in Cumberland Gap and ends at the Tennessee/North Carolina border on the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Newport. Scenic points of interest and worthy stops include Panther Creek State Park, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, and Clinch Mountain Overlook. Lakes Douglas, Norris, and Cherokee also deserve some visits as they offer exciting water adventures. In the meantime, the byway is lavish with small towns such as Rogersville, Morristown, Rutledge, Newport, Dandridge, and Cosby, where travelers can stop to rest, enjoy lunch, and immerse themselves in cultural experiences.
Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway
The Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway runs for 70 miles as it unmasks one of the state's most entrancing scenery of craggy bluffs and small valleys. From the Tennessee River in South Pittsburgh, the byway stretches to Cumberland Trail State Park in Pikeville, revealing the rich and beautiful landscapes of Tennessee and its small-town gems. Highlights and points of interest on the byway include the Sequatchie and Tennessee River for water sports, Falls Creek Falls State Park, Cumberland Trail State Park, and Coke Ovens Museum. Meanwhile, there are small, unique towns along the route, such as Pikeville, Dunlap, South Pittsburgh, Jasper, Whitwell, and Kimball, to stop by for lunch, recharge, relax, and continue. They boast some cozy and chic restaurants like Top of the Rock Restaurant and Pizzeria, where one can grab pizza for lunch.
From Walton Road to the Ocoee River Scenic Byway, scenic drives crisscross across Tennessee’s dreamy landscapes of mountains and valleys. These drives also bypass the entrancing scenery of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, creeks, and various natural attractions to spoil travelers with a magical road trip experience unlike anything else. The experience also blends small-town vibes as the roads slice through quaint, gem towns rich in culture, natural beauty, culinary heritage, and amazing people. Looking for an unforgettable adventure behind the wheels, hit these road trips and you’ll be mesmerized by all the treasures Tennessee has to offer.
