Best Gatlinburg UTV Trails & Scenic Routes in the Smokies
Looking for the best Gatlinburg UTV trails? From peaceful mountain loops to panoramic Smoky Mountain overlooks, here are our favorite scenic routes near RideOn Rentals. All routes listed below are paved, legal, and perfect for exploring with our UTVs and Jeeps.
Top Gatlinburg UTV Trails & Scenic Smoky Mountains UTV Routes
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Roaring Fork is one of the most popular Gatlinburg UTV routes near downtown. Because it’s a one-way scenic loop, it takes you through historic cabins, waterfalls, and dense Smoky Mountain forest in a smooth, easy drive. As a result, it’s ideal for riders who want nature, history, and mountain views all in one short trip.
Why Roaring Fork Is a Must-Ride UTV scenic loop:
✔ First, it’s just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg.
✔ In addition, the paved road makes it easy and comfortable for all riders.
✔ Along the way, you’ll find beautiful overlook photo stops.
✔ Meanwhile, wildlife sightings are common in the early morning and evening.
📍 Distance from RideOn UTV Rentals: ~10 minutes
Estimate time needed
1-2 hours
Elkmont Ghost Town
Elkmont Ghost Town is a historic former logging community located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today, visitors can explore preserved cabins, peaceful forest roads, and scenic river views along Little River. Because it’s tucked away in a quiet valley, the area feels calm and uncrowded compared to busier park routes.
In addition, Elkmont connects easily to other scenic drives, making it a smooth stop during a half-day or full-day UTV adventure.
Why Elkmont / Daisy Ghost Town is Perfect for UTV Rentals:
✔ First, it’s just a short ride from downtown Gatlinburg.
✔ Additionally, fully paved access roads make it easy for all riders.
✔ Along the way, you’ll find unique historic cabin photo opportunities.
✔ Meanwhile, the peaceful forest surroundings offer a relaxing contrast to high-traffic areas.
✔ Finally, it connects directly to Little River’s scenic drive for extended exploration.
📍 Distance from RideOn UTV Rentals: ~25 minutes
Estimate time needed
1-2 hours
Foothills parkway
As of 2018, the scenic Foothills Parkway stretches 33 miles connecting U.S. 129 and U.S. 321. Compared to other Smoky Mountain highways, it offers minimal traffic and a much smoother ride. Because of this, the parkway provides an easy, scenic connection between the Tail of the Dragon, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.
In addition, it’s part of what we call the Great Smoky Mountain Loop — a 141/153-mile full-day ride that takes visitors to some of the best panoramic spots the mountains have to offer.
Why Foothills Parkway Is Perfect for UTVs:
✔ First, the smooth mountain highway makes for a relaxed, enjoyable drive.
✔ Along the way, stunning overlook stops provide incredible photo opportunities.
✔ Meanwhile, traffic is typically lighter than Cades Cove.
✔ Finally, it’s especially perfect for sunset rides with wide-open mountain views.
📍 Distance from RideOn UTV Rentals: ~45 minutes
Estimate time needed
2-3 hours
Newfound Gap and Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)
Starting from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, travelers climb approximately 3,000 feet, ascending through cove hardwood, pine-oak, and northern hardwood forest. As you gain elevation, the landscape gradually shifts to evergreen spruce-fir forest at Newfound Gap (5,046’), the lowest drivable pass in the National Park. From there, the road winds upward another six miles to reach the tower at Kuwohi (6,643’), the highest point on the entire 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail.
Because of this dramatic elevation change, the drive feels completely different from lower valley routes. In addition, temperatures are noticeably cooler, especially during summer months, making it a refreshing escape from downtown Gatlinburg.
Why Kuwohi is a favourite Smoky Mountains scenic drive:
✔ First, the high elevation delivers a true mountain driving experience.
✔ Meanwhile, cooler mountain air makes the ride especially comfortable.
✔ Finally, the panoramic views from the top are some of the most breathtaking in the Smokies.
📍 Distance from RideOn UTV Rentals: ~50 minutes
Estimate time needed
3 hours
Townsend
Townsend is known for its pristine mountain views and festivals throughout the year. In contrast to busier Smoky Mountain towns, it remains small and relaxed — a quiet outpost with about 500 residents. Because of its slower pace and lighter traffic, it’s frequently referred to as “The Quiet Side of the Smokies.”
As a result, Townsend offers a more peaceful riding experience compared to crowded park routes near Gatlinburg.
Why riders love Townsend:
✔ First, smooth scenic highways make for a relaxed UTV ride.
✔ Along the way, beautiful river views stretch beside Little River Road.
✔ Additionally, access to Townsend Wye and scenic pull-offs adds flexibility.
✔ Finally, it’s a great alternative to busier park routes like Cades Cove.
📍 Distance from RideOn UTV Rentals: ~40 minutes
Estimate time needed
3-4 hours
Cades Cove Loop Road
Cades Cove is an 11-mile scenic loop inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In particular, this wide valley offers open mountain views, historic churches, and some of the best wildlife sightings in Tennessee. Because of its unique mix of history and nature, it’s one of the most visited scenic drives in the Smokies.
While traffic can be heavier during peak seasons, the experience is still worth it for riders who want a relaxed, immersive mountain cruise.
Why Cades Cove is one of the best street-legal utv routes:
✔ First, the fully paved scenic loop makes it easy and comfortable to drive.
✔ Additionally, long, relaxed cruising stretches allow you to truly enjoy the ride.
✔ At the same time, the valley provides excellent mountain and open-field views.
✔ Moreover, there are outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring 19th-century homesteads.
✔ On select vehicle-free days, it’s also perfect for our E-Bikes.
📍 Distance from RideOn UTV Rentals: ~60 minutes
Estimate time needed
4-5 hours
Street-Legal UTV ROUTES in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
Unlike off-road machines, our UTVs are fully street-legal, which means you can legally ride:
- Downtown Gatlinburg
- Pigeon Forge Parkway
- Sevierville
- Cherokee, NC
- Scenic backroads
- Mountain cabins
This flexibility is why customers love renting from RideOn UTV Rentals.
RideOn’s Insider UTV Scenic Loop (Local Favorite) - 6-hour trip
Want to experience the Smokies like a local instead of just following GPS? In fact, this is the exact Gatlinburg UTV Trail we recommend to customers who want the full mountain experience in one unforgettable ride.
First, start in Gatlinburg and warm up with a quick stop at Cataract Falls for an easy waterfall walk. Next, continue toward Elkmont Ghost Town, where you can explore historic cabins and quiet forest roads. From there, head into the wide-open valley of Cades Cove, where wildlife sightings are common and scenic views stretch for miles.
Instead of heading straight back, take the scenic drive toward Townsend — known as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” — where traffic is lighter and river views make for a relaxing stretch. Then, climb Foothills Parkway for panoramic mountain overlooks and sweeping curves that feel made for UTV riding. Finally, return through Pigeon Forge and back to RideOn UTV Rentals in Gatlinburg.
Ultimately, this is the route we recommend when friends visit — because it showcases the very best of the Smoky Mountains in one smooth, scenic loop.
Smoky Mountains UTV Routes: Start in Gatlinburg → Cataract Falls → Elkmont Ghost Town → Cades Cove Loop → Townsend → Foothills Parkway → Return through Pigeon Forge → Back to RideOn UTV Rentals in Gatlinburg
Why This Gatlinburg UTV Trail Works So Well:
First, you move from forest roads to historic landmarks.
Then, you enter open wildlife valleys and river towns.
After that, you finish with elevated mountain overlooks.
As a result, the ride feels complete without feeling rushed.
Overall, it’s perfect for half-day or full-day rentals.
Ultimately, this is the route we recommend when friends visit — because it showcases the very best of the Smoky Mountains in one smooth, scenic loop.
Ready to Explore These Gatlinburg UTV Trails?
Book your street-legal UTV rental today and experience the Smoky Mountains the right way.