National Scenic Byways and Other Recreational Drives

Rainbows in the Trees

Autumn colors in the Smoky Mountains. Essay by Bob Marshall

Cherohala Byway

Cultural heritage and historic sites of the Cherokee tribe and early settlers are offered throughout the 36-km (23-mile) skyway in a grand forest environment in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Roads in this great national park were designed for scenic driving—laid out for the view with numerous turnouts and other facilities. Details on on American treasures such as the Newfound Gap Road, Balsam Mountain Road, Little River Road, Foothills Parkway and more.

Natchez/Trace Parkway

Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee
Native Americans, Kaintuck boatmen, post riders, government officials, soldiers, and fortune seekers all moved across this 708-km (425-mile) trail charting new territory and creating a vital link between the Mississippi Territory and the fledgling United States.

Ocoee-US 64

This very first National Forest Scenic Byway is located in the Cherokee National Forest and consists of 26 miles of U.S. Highway 64 in Polk County. Passing through scenic areas dominated by rock bluffs, mountain peaks, and Lake Ocoee, Ocoee-US 64offers ready access to white-water rafting, boating, swimming, and historical sites related to the Civil War and the Cherokee Indian culture.

Unaka Mountain Auto Tour

The Unaka Mountain Auto Tour takes you on a 30 mile loop of the Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest. As you travel through Unicoi County you will see some of east Tennessee's most beautiful scenery.