roaring fork motor nature trail

Free look back at life in the early years of Gatlinburg, life in these remote mountains back then.We go slow with the windows open and the moon roof wide open, air conditioning off - hearing the quiet. Lots of places to stop, or not. Waterfalls, trails, scenic spots, old buildings, the mill....great views of Roaring Fork Creek meandering down the mountain.And it comes out right by Tree Tops Resort - which is a great place to stay away from, but close to the city hubbub.

The hike was on the most beautiful water ever. Lots of foot bridges to cross and roaring waters. Felt like we would be well feed in the afternoon because we were close to the Fontana Village Resort which is awesome and beautiful. Really clean rooms and really good food, especially in the middle of nowhere. Best food ever to be so far out in the wilderness. Service was excellent!

I visited twice last year and cannot count my visits, what a blessing! Bring your drinks and pack a lunch/snacks. This place is good for your spirit, as are many places in the park, yet this one is quite the treat. Go at your pace more often than not - which is typically impossible for a drive tour this popular. There are numbers of pull-offs, each as good or better as the next, spend as much time on foot as you wish. This drive tour is all uphill and downhill, so be prepared. Small fee ($1) at the gate for a tour booklet that you should consider necessary your first drive through.

Seriously what an amazing place , totally full of fabulous sights throughout an year. I would say this is the place where every type of person can visit and have great remarkable moment in real. As I had too much fun with friends and this is the place where you will forget all mental trauma and get all aspirations in real. Too many different, unique insights are there . Don't waste your time really..

It's similar to Cades Cove, only smaller in size, and instead of being in a valley, it's on the side of a mountain. The road can be a bit narrow, so be aware of that if you have a large vehicle. Awesome place to visit though!

We did both this one and Cades Cove and we preferred this one hands down. Not nearly as busy (the back to back cars of Cades Cove really take away from it) and the scenery was prettier in my opinion. Easy to get to from Gatlingburg, lots of pull offs where you can go hiking.

This is such a wonderful drive through such a historical part of the Great Smokey Mountains. Old homesteads, farms and a mill to see. Beautiful views of mountain streams and nature. Lots of places to pull of and enjoy the view.

We love this drive. You will not see near as many animals as you will see in Cades Cove but the scenery is great. Most all the other reviews sum it up well but I would add that we love it best just after a rain. Half way around, the road follows a creek and this creek is simply beautiful and even more so just after a hard rain. We spend a week at the Great Smoky mountains every couple years and if we get a rainy day this is the first place we head.

Please don't miss this, what ever you do! The cost is "free" and the views are breathtaking! Be sure to take your camera......you'll take many photos along your trip. This place is simply beautiful! Old homesteads, overlooks, nature at it's very best....you will find. The best thing you'll notice is peace & quiet.....just the wind whistling through the trees higher up along the one-way road. You may see some wildlife or you may not. One thing you will see is beautiful creaks and waterfalls. There are some areas to pull off & get out of your car.....great for taking photos. We've traveled this motor trail many a time & never get tired of it.......it is truly an enjoyable thing to do.

So many different things to do and see along this beautiful drive, from numerous hikes, to beautiful water falls and plenty of photo ops. Wish we would've found this on our first trip. I can't wait until our next trip to visit again. Make sure you take your time, stop along the way and enjoy this beautiful place.

Love this loop! There are lots of photo opportunities on this drive! You will see old homesteads, a mill, hikes, overlooks, waterfalls, and wildlife! Highly recommend and love hiking Grotto Falls! Have done this hike 3 times now. A must do for visitors and locals alike. Never gets old.

This paved, one-way, 5.5 mile road winds through a lush forest section of GSMNP, passing by old homesteads, a small mill, the Grotto and Rainbow Falls trailheads, a couple scenic overlooks, many tucked-away waterfalls and streams, and of course, multiple cascades with amazingly boisterous sounds. The latter are primarily heavy during the last couple miles, so be sure to roll down the car windows for the greatest effect.Pick up a guide pamphlet for a nominal fee at the beginning of the drive, at the Ogle homestead. Along the drive, get out to walk through the preserved buildings and imagine the self-sufficiency required to farm the rocky terrain, haul water from the creek, maintain the livestock, build your own cabin, raise children, and exist at the complete mercy of Nature in this once-remote territory.If you have physically challenged folks or sleeping children onboard, or very limited time, or simply want a taste of nature complete with "roaring" water without venturing further into the National Park, this drive is a good option. While getting out of the car and exploring provides the best experience, driving through - windows open! - is better than not at all. Be patient, as some visitors take their time and may not always use the pulloffs. If in a hurry, try weekdays in the shoulder season (generally September, November, April, sometimes May). The Park Service does close the Trail in early winter (once threats of snow are imminent and ranger services are required in the other vast expanses of the Park) and may not open it until some time in April, so call ahead to check if it's a vital part of your itinerary. Wildflowers bloom in spring. Wildlife is more evident after sunrise and before sunset. Restrooms are available at the major trailheads. Parts of trails and homestead grounds can be muddy and uneven with rocks and tree roots, so pay attention. Watch children, particularly around the falls and creeks.Rainbow and Grotto trails are well known and often over-populated. The Baskins Creek Trail, although steep, slippery, and wet in sections, provides a homestead, cemetery stones, beautiful waterfall, and a more private hike. (This hike will continue to the complete other side of the driving loop, not back to your car, so it's best to simply retrace your steps from the falls.) Bring food and drink and appropriate attire if you plan to spend some time, especially if hiking. Don't forget your camera and sense of imagination, and enjoy this slice of the Smokies. While you're at it, record on your smartphone a long pan of the cascades and their hypnotic "roar." When you go back to real life, that 30-second replay may be just the reprieve you need.

Unfortunately, word travels fast. We are locals who have enjoyed this little scenic drive for yrs, as others flock to newfound Gap and Cade's Cove. However, word has gotten out, that this little secluded area of the park is worth a visit.(thank you Tripadvisor.. Lol). So, we may as well let others know what they're missing. Roaring Fork Trail is found by turning at light #8 in Gburg and proceeding to the right of The Park Vista Hotel. It is a one-way road, that winds around several miles, and brings you out onto hwy 321. The loop can be traveled in less than an hr, if for some reason one is in a hurry on vacation, or take an entire day to enjoy. There's a picnic area b/4 entering the park, with restrooms, and a creek. There are several old cabins and homes built by the early settlers, spread out from one end to the other along the ride, to explore. The entrances to 2 of the best waterfall hikes in the Smokies are found along the way as well. Rainbow Falls, and Grotto falls. Grotto falls is an easy hike for beginners, and families. The falls are beautiful, and worth the trip. (The rocks do get slick around the pool area). "Rainbow Falls is a more of a moderate hike, takes much longer, and I don't recommend it for small children. They' will get tired quick. Both trails lead onward to The Lodge at Mt LeConte. If one wishes to try, these hikes will be an all day trek. (Several rugged miles). So, we recommend that if you are going all the way to the top, begin b/4 daybreak. And pack accordingly. The weather is different up there. We have seen bear and deer, and other wildlife over the yrs, though not as frequent as Cade's Cove. But, the highlight of this little drive is the numerous flowing streams of water, and the tranquil backdrop provided by the beautiful Smokies. If you can spare a couple of hrs, or longer, you owe your family a cruise along this trail. You won't be disappointed..Warning-- Cars park along the road near all the trailheads, making it a little tight.. P.S. Keep an eye out for the beautiful cascades flowing to your left near the end of the trip... Enjoy..

We always do this drive every time we visit. We stop at all the old homes and walk around and take pictures. It's so peaceful to walk and think about the people who use to live there and what life was like back then. Lots of great places to take beautiful pictures.

This is a great place to just go and pull into one of the parking spots that the creek runs beside. We could sit here for hours. There are waterfalls and trails. It is a nice cool area even in the summer. There are so many trees that there is shade everywhere. The road and bridges are on being worked on so it will be even more beautiful when they are finished in the spring. We make sure to take this drive every time we are there.