Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Zigzagging through the lush forests of our country’s most-visited national park, this scenic 11-mile loop on the Tennessee side of the Smokies might seem short. But you’ll need about four hours to take it all in.
Travel is slow along the one-lane road, and the many historic Southern Appalachian buildings alongside barns, log homes, churches, and a working water-powered mill invite exploration.
Take a breather by biking or walking the loop, especially on summer Wednesdays from mid-June to late September, when the road is closed to car traffic. You’ll enjoy spotting white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, raccoons, and lots of other wildlife.
Best Time To Go: The loop is packed on weekends during summer and fall. We suggest you visit on a weekday to avoid traffic and be able to experience peak foliage.
Don’t Miss: For an uninterrupted scenic drive between two national parks, head northeast along the Blue Ridge Parkway, linking the Smokies with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, which is about 470 miles away.
2 thoughts on “America’s National Parks: 6 Most Beautiful Scenic Drives”
I have a painting that I did across from here called Washer Woman! I painted after our visit to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks five years ago! We took wrong turn as we really wanted to go to the area north of here and see where John Wayne made a lot of his movies too! But Moab was equally beautiful too!
I can hardly wait to go back out there too! So much beauty that GOD gave us to enjoy everywhere you turn in America! So Go and enjoy it before it is too late with the way things are going in America now! Joannie
Have fun doing those with your EV