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Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – Noah Ogle Place - October 2023 - Sarah Stierch 02📷 Missvain, CC BY 4.0

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Gatlinburg, TN

Views

A narrow one-way 9 km road past old-growth forest, cascading streams and historic cabins, starting from Cherokee Orchard Road. No buses, trailers or RVs; closed in winter.

Nearest town
Gatlinburg, TN
Category
Scenic viewpoints
GPS
35.6854, -83.4990

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

The quiet side of the Smokies: Foothills Parkway and Cades Cove – 2017-05-17 19 41 30 Panoramic view east and south from the Look Rock Observation Tower at Look Rock along Foothills Parkway in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, within Blount County, Tennessee© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
321
National park loops

The quiet side of the Smokies: Foothills Parkway and Cades Cove

74 mi6 stops3 days

Nearby

Elkmont Campground – Great Smoky Mountain Fireflies - panoramio (1)© Rick Shu · CC BY-SA 3.0
Camping

Elkmont Campground

Gatlinburg, TN
Clingmans Dome observation tower TN1© Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
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Clingmans Dome

Bryson City, NC
Cades Cove - October 2023 - Sarah Stierch 01© Missvain · CC BY 4.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Cades Cove

Townsend, TN
Look Rock, Foothills Parkway – 2017-05-17 19 41 30 Panoramic view east and south from the Look Rock Observation Tower at Look Rock along Foothills Parkway in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, within Blount County, Tennessee© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Views

Look Rock, Foothills Parkway

Walland, TN

Campsites nearby

  • Deep Creek CampgroundCampsite
    16 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover
    16 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail · 514 pitches
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • River Valley CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    17 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail · 160 pitches
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Country Girls RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    17 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
    MotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Happy Holiday RV VillageMotorhome stopover
    20 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Cataloochee CampgroundCampsite
    24 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Tennessee · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail?

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is in Gatlinburg, TN, at GPS 35.6854, -83.4990. It is about 14 mi from Townsend.

Can you camp near Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Elkmont Campground, about 5 mi away; within 25 mi there are 106 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail?

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: The quiet side of the Smokies: Foothills Parkway and Cades Cove.

What is there to see near Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail?

Places worth a stop nearby: Elkmont Campground (5 mi), Clingmans Dome (8 mi), Cades Cove (19 mi) and Look Rock, Foothills Parkway (25 mi).

When is the best time to visit Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)