10 Best Scenic Trips in Tennessee
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While Tennessee is known for its mountains, forests, and musical history, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of what the region has to offer. Sure, visitors will continue to flock to Beale Street, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Smoky Mountains, but there are plenty of hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered. Start your own treasure hunt for this great state by starting with one of our favorite scenic drives in Tennessee:
No. 10 - Natchez Trace Boulevard.
Start Location: Collinswood, Tennessee
Final location: Hohenwald, Tennessee
Length: Mile 38
Best driving season: All
View this drive on Google Maps
It's a nice winding road through rolling countryside and lots of trees, sometimes with a bit of water to break up the scenery. Hungry travelers may want to stop in for a bite to eat at the 60-year-old Loveless Motel and Cafe, famous for miles around for its chicken and biscuits. For an invigorating walk or camping out for the night, visit Meriwether Lewis National Park, which has plenty of amenities.
No. 9 - Highway 66
Start Location: Rogersville, Tennessee
Final location: Sneedville, Tennessee
Length: Mile 32
Best driving season: Spring, summer and autumn
View this drive on Google Maps
This leisurely ride through the Tennessee backcountry is the perfect way to pass an hour or so on a lazy day, and can be stretched out a bit by stopping to enjoy the scenery. The road is somewhat windy with little traffic and passes through rural areas with old farmhouses and mountain views on the horizon. Stop at Cherokee Lake for a quick swim or camp for the night, and keep an eye out for historic homes along the way.
No. 8 - Roan Mountain Road.
Start Location: Hampton, Tennessee
Final location: Roan Mountain, Tennessee
Length: Mile 17
Best driving season: Spring, summer and autumn
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This wooded mountain road that twists and turns through Roan Mountain State Park has many elevation changes and great views. Stop at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center to learn about the region and grab a hiking map. There is almost always something special going on in the park, from guided tours of preserved estates to cross-country skiing during the colder months.
No. 7 - Marsh Creek and Cedar Creek Loop.
Start Location: Linden, Tennessee
Final location: Linden, Tennessee
Length: Mile 22
Best driving season: All
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With wooded hills, rural towns, and babbling streams along this road, travelers can see the state's quieter side and find time to unwind. Along the way, you won't miss the Civil War Iron Stove right by the road. Back in Linden, take the opportunity to take a walking tour of the historic city center, which hasn't changed much since the 1940s.
No. 6 - Woodland Drive
Start Location: Benton, Tennessee
Final location: Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Length: Mile 32
Best driving season: Spring, summer and autumn
View this drive on Google Maps
This trip isn't so much about nearby sights as it is about the beautiful views travelers will see along the way. It passes through lush forests where trees often form a canopy over the road, and there are plenty of small, quaint towns along the way. The Khivassi River, which runs parallel to the route most of the time, offers plenty of opportunities to stop and interact with nature or cast a line to see if the fish bite.
No. 5 - Snake
Start Location: Mountain City, Tennessee
Final location: Bristol, Tennessee
Length: Mile 33
Best driving season: Spring, summer and autumn
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Dubbed "The Snake", this spectacular track is a favorite among motorcyclists and attracts riders from all over the country. It consists of 489 turns through three high mountains with many steep drops. Passing over Lake Holstein, you'll have plenty of opportunities to stop and dip in the water for a quick summer refresh, and the scenery in the Cherokee National Forest is simply second to none. Be sure to stop at Shady Valley Country Store about halfway through to browse homespun products and stretch your legs.
No. 4 - Jack Trail
Start Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Final location: Lynchburg, Tennessee
Length: Mile 87
Best driving season: All
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Before you hit the road from Nashville, check out sights like the Grand Ole Opry and get ready to make a few stops to explore this route through mid-Tennessee. In Smyrna, visit the historic Sam Davis Home to learn about the Confederate Boy Hero, and in Wartrace, see where Tennessee's first walking horse is buried near the Walking Horse Hotel. Finally, at the end of the route, quench your thirst with a sample to end your tour of Jack Daniel's Distillery.
No. 3 - Cades Cove Loop
Start Location: Townsend, Tennessee
Final location: Townsend, Tennessee
Length: Mile 11
Best driving season: Spring, summer and autumn
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Although this trip is relatively short, the ride through the Cades Cove area of the Smoky Mountains offers particularly striking views. Along the way, you can stop and explore many historical sites, such as John Oliver's Cabin and the Primitive Baptist Church, which provide a glimpse into what life was like in the region a long time ago. Sports people won't want to miss the five-mile round-trip hike to Abram Falls, where there are unbeatable photo opportunities.
No. 2 - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Start Location: Walland, Tennessee
Final location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Length: Mile 49
Best driving season: Spring, summer and autumn
View this drive on Google Maps
Starting from the picturesque Miller Bay Valley in Valland, with its many historic buildings to explore, and extending through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is no shortage of recreational opportunities along the way. Consider stopping at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg in between downtown specialty shopping to learn more about the region. The Chimney Tops Picnic Area is a good place to unwind and recharge with the many nearby hiking trails.
No. 1 – Cherohala Skyway
Start Location: Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Final location: Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Length: Mile 23
Best driving season: All
View this drive on Google Maps
Full of mountain views, hidden lakes and streams, and plenty of twists and turns to keep travelers on their toes, this Cherohala Skyway ride is one to remember. Stop at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center at the start of your route to learn more about the region's history and geography. The Indian Frontier Lake is a good place for water recreation, such as fishing or swimming, and kayaking is possible on the Okoee River.
