Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Car Rental

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow one-way paved loop that branches off Cherokee Orchard Road just outside Gatlinburg and winds through some of the most intact old-growth forest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road follows Roaring Fork Creek for much of its length — the waterway is loud, close to the pavement, and at several points runs under small wooden bridges just wide enough for one lane.

The main stops include the Noah Ogle Nature Trail, the Place of a Thousand Drips waterfall, Ephraim Bales Cabin, and the Alfred Reagan Tub Mill. The historic structures are early 19th-century Appalachian homesteads still standing in their original locations — not reconstructions. Between structures, the forest closes in tight. Afternoon light through the canopy in October is worth the drive alone.

The road is narrow enough that you won't be moving fast regardless of what you're driving. That's the point. This isn't a road trip — it's a slow loop done in 45 minutes to an hour, window down, stopping at every pullout. If your day also includes Clingmans Dome or Cades Cove, Roaring Fork is a natural first stop out of Gatlinburg.

Almost anything fits — it's a paved road, not a trail. That said, a few factors shape what's actually enjoyable. The road is narrow and tree-lined, and clearance on some sections is tight enough that a very long or very wide vehicle gets uncomfortable. The FJ Cruiser's short wheelbase and high seating position make it unusually comfortable on narrow mountain roads: you can see both edges of the lane without craning.

For families with kids, the Odyssey is the practical answer. Multiple occupants, easy entry and exit at every stop, and cargo room for a full park day. Sliding rear doors make a real difference when you're 18 inches from a guardrail.

If you're coming specifically for Roaring Fork and then continuing to other GSMNP roads or the Foothills Parkway, pick the car for the whole day — not just this 5.5-mile loop. Sports cars are fine on the loop but overpowered for the pace; if you're picking a sports car, you're buying it for the rest of the drive.

Roaring Fork is best used as an anchor, not a destination on its own. Start at TYS or Maryville early — pick up by 8 a.m. to beat summer traffic on Cherokee Orchard Road. Run the loop before 10 a.m. and the pullouts are easy to access. After 11 a.m. on a weekend, the loop slows down noticeably.

From Roaring Fork, Clingmans Dome is 45 minutes up Newfound Gap Road. Cades Cove is about an hour west through the park. The Foothills Parkway Section 1 (near Walland) is about 35 minutes from Gatlinburg and pairs well as an afternoon drive on the way back toward Maryville or TYS.

Drive865 allows park driving across the full GSMNP network — there are no mileage restrictions that would affect a normal Smokies day. If you're doing a multi-day trip, book two or three days to get the multi-day discount and lock in your vehicle.