Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN
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.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding one-way road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is about 8.9 kilometres long. Access starts in Gatlinburg at traffic light no. 8 via Historic Nature Trail Road to the Cherokee Orchard entrance; the one-way road begins just past the second Rainbow Falls parking area.
Along the way you pass rushing mountain streams, above all the Roaring Fork after heavy rain, old forest, log cabins, mills and other historic buildings. Stops include the trailhead to Grotto Falls (about 3 kilometres after the start), the "Place of a Thousand Drips" waterfall near the end and the Noah "Bud" Ogle nature trail before the entrance.
Important for campers: buses, trailers and motorhomes are not allowed. The road is closed for part of the year, so check the road status in advance. Parking is scarce and often full; the parking tag cannot be bought there, so get it beforehand.
- 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
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
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Deep Creek CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature TrailTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover16 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail · 514 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- River Valley CampgroundMotorhome stopover17 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail · 160 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Country Girls RV ParkMotorhome stopover17 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature TrailMotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
- Happy Holiday RV VillageMotorhome stopover20 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature TrailMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Cataloochee CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Roaring Fork Motor Nature TrailTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
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)