There is nothing better than hitting the road to drive through the Smoky Mountains. From brilliant autumn foliage in the fall to the blooming wildflowers in spring and summer, these lesser-known scenic drives in the Smokies provide hours of relaxing scenery and quality time with your family. Grab some Buddy’s BBQ for the road and you will be all set for a day well spent in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
1. Upper Tremont Road
This 3-mile road winds through the mountains and leads to several trailheads, including Spruce Flat Falls and Middle Prong. You will also find the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, an education center with incredible insight into the area that’s well worth a visit! Upper Tremont Road is located near Wears Valley and also convenient to Cades Cove, a great spot for a picnic!
2. Rich Mountain Road
If you want to avoid the traffic in Cades Cove, then Rich Mountain Road is the route for you! This gravel road branches off from the Cades Cove Loop Road and is about 7 miles long, taking you all the way to Townsend. There is a beautiful pull-off that overlooks the Cades Cove valley, and you will be able to see an aerial view of the Primitive Baptist Church!
3. Parsons Branch Road
Another scenic drive you can access in Cades Cove is Parsons Branch Road. It’s also a gravel road that leads you about 8 miles to Highway 129, where you can access another popular motorcycle drive, the Tail of the Dragon! Both Rich Mountain and Parsons Branch Roads are open seasonally, typically from April to November.
4. Wears Valley Road
Did you know there is a Wears Valley entrance to the national park? Not only is Wears Valley Road a peaceful route to take, but it also bypasses Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg traffic, so you can enjoy easy access to popular areas of the Smokies, including Elkmont and Metcalf Bottoms, another fantastic picnic area!
Grab Our Family Packs For Your Scenic Drives in the Smokies!
Something else that is a bit lesser-known is our delicious East Tennessee barbeque! We aren’t your typical “fast food” chain but rather a family-owned and operated BBQ restaurant that serves incredible hickory-smoked barbeque and traditional sides and desserts made from family recipes. Eat inside, order via the drive-through, or place an online order– either way, we cook it slow but serve it fast! So what makes our Family Packs ideal for a Smoky Mountain scenic drive?
- Can feed between 5 and 10 people
- Meat, BBQ sauce, buns, sides, and chocolate chip cookies included
- Comes with plates, utensils, and napkins
- Also includes a free jug of tea (sweet or unsweet).
- Affordable– $9 per person for the Feeds 5 Pack and $8 per person for the Feeds 10 Pack!
We hope you will explore some of these lesser-known scenic drives in the Smokies! Learn more about the Family Packs on the Buddy’s BBQ menu and place an order online for added convenience.
