Tennessee Off-Road Trails

Big Clifty is a winding trail leading you up 1,600 feet on the north side of the Meadow Creek Mountains. This mostly maintained trail has no major challenges, making it a pleasant short journey for any high clearance vehicle. This trail also provides access to the Meadow Creek lookout tower overlooking quite a distance in every direction. Camping is sparse, but a couple of locations are adequate for small groups.

Running down the western edge of the Cherokee National Forest, Sina Branch Road is a maintained road traveling from the Baker Creek Inlet of Parksville Lake to the Conasauga River. As with many others in the area, this trail is ripe with lush foliage from tall Poplar and Beech trees down to the ferns covering the forest floor. Be on the lookout for wildlife, too, as this area is never quiet!

Trail 11 is a mostly graded route with a few low spots that often hold shallow standing water when run clockwise. Occasionally, heavy rains will cause small washouts in areas as well. Along the trail, you pass old mining operations identifiable by clearly sculpted features in the hillside, and you can still find natural pieces of coal on the ground. Near the end of the trail, to the northeast, two uphill rock gardens represent the only real challenges. The first has larger rocks and is wide enough for drivers to pick from several lines. The upper garden is essentially one lane, but with smaller rocks, it is easily traversed with steady momentum and throttle control.

Pulling away from Parksville Lake is the unmaintained East Sylco Ridge trail. Although it is not a graded dirt road, don't let this deter you from exploring this wonderful ridgeline trail. You will often have sights to the east through the smokey hills beneath Hogback Mountain. Lush vegetation lends itself well to a shady cover for wild raspberries lining the trail in many spots. Small and scattered mud pits keep traffic low on this treat of a trail in the Cherokee National Forest.

Residing in the Martha Sundquist State Forest, this easy gravel road provides glimpses of the Gulf Fork Big Creek and two designated campsites beside it. Three other designated camps are further south along the road. Additionally, it is a gateway into other US Forest Service roads in the area and other hiking opportunities, such as the Tennessee Gulf Trail. The road is suitable for any vehicle.

Blue Ridge is mostly gravel, with mixed patches of hard-packed dirt. The trail climbs when traveling from north to south with mellow curves. It is primarily tree-covered in the warmer months with few views but is particularly inspiring during the soft morning sun. Black bears habitat the area, and if you move slowly and quietly enough, you may see one on the road. Only limited dispersed camping opportunities are found. Closed roughly from January through the end of March.

Baker Creek Road is a well-maintained road running through the Cherokee National Forest south of Parksville Lake. Meandering through the Beech, Maple, and Poplar trees, you will also be treated to Baker Creek, lined with Rhododendrons. Camping is also available along this trail on the eastern portion once you pass all the cute homes in the open meadows.

Don't let the ease of this road deter you. While the northern half of the trail is actually paved, the southern portion is graded gravel. Along the trail you will find plenty of wildflowers. If you choose to sit or walk around Allen Branch Pond long enough, you are sure to see wildlife. There is no silence here! At the southern end, you will be treated to the French Broad River. Camping is not available on this trail, but the nearby Weavers Bend Road should satisfy.

Ascending from Wolf Creek, Fed Fork climbs 1,500 feet on an unmaintained road, with the brush encroaching tighter and tighter into the path of your vehicle. The only obstacles are the occasional mud puddle and fallen tree. Be sure to pay attention to where you are driving, as sections of this trail are very close to the edge! Camping is limited with only one dispersed location at the end of the trail and another small roadside camp in the middle section.

What appears to be an easy and bland road sure gives you a nice treat at the end. The Meadow Creek Road is groomed gravel and accessible by most any vehicle. Once at the top, there is a large parking area and trailhead for the Meadow Creek Ridge Mountain Trail and the short trail to the lookout tower sitting at 2,800 feet. There is no camping directly on the trail but the nearby Big Clifty has a couple of spots.

Windrock 83 is a two-way trail. It can be entered via G33 or G6. It can also be used to access Windrock 82, a difficult trail. While 83 is a relatively short trail, it offers great views down the mountainside and into the valley below. It also has several interesting rock features and waterfalls. The trail is known for its entrance to a mine system. While the mine entrance looks tempting to explore, exercise caution due to potentially dangerous gases that may have collected. Windrock discourages guests from entering. However, on a hot day, 83 can be a refreshing oasis due to the cold air coming out of the mine shafts. The trail exhibits mostly rough dirt and, depending on recent weather, several mid to large muddy puddles. The hardest part is the incline from entering the trail via G6.

Windrock 36 is a short, unmaintained trail taking users to the southern trailhead for G6. The only obstacles on this trail are moderate ruts. The trail is under a mile long but takes a little time to get through. The shade keeps the trail wet longer, and when this trail is wet, it is significantly more challenging. 4WD is necessary in all but optimal conditions, but no lift is needed unless the trail sees severe damage.

Tucked away behind Tumbling Creek Campground lies a short but sweet trail known as Charlie's Run. This trail is not maintained but is relatively easy and only offers a small challenge in the form of small and shallow mud pits. The reward of this trail is the water. All along its half-mile length, you are treated to pullouts allowing camping and access to Tumbling Creek, and at the end, you reach an inlet for the Ocoee Number Three Lake. Be sure to spend some time enjoying the quiet peace of the water!