Rich Mountain Road is a delightful drive through the Smokies

Rich Mountain Road is a delightful drive through the Smokies

Usa, north-america

Length

11.1 km

Elevation

808 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! You HAVE to add Rich Mountain Road to your Smoky Mountains bucket list. Tucked away in Blount County, Tennessee, near the North Carolina border, this hidden gem is a one-way, south-to-north dirt road that promises a secluded and seriously scenic escape.

Built way back in the '20s, this 6.9-mile (11.10km) route winds from Cades Cove Loop Road to Old Cades Cove Road and will take about an hour to navigate. Prepare for a slow, bumpy, and utterly charming journey. Think quiet forests, tight uphill turns with loose gravel, and parts that might be a little washed out โ€“ adding to the thrill, right?

While most cars can handle it, leave your RVs, long vans (over 25 feet), and trailers at home, trust me. Some turns are tight! Keep an eye on the weather, too; heavy rains can make it impassable. And remember, it's typically closed from November to May for winter.

The road climbs to 2,650 feet (808m), giving you some stunning views and awesome photo ops. This is one of the most remote spots in the Smokies you can reach by car! Plus, you might spot some white-tailed deer along the way. Get ready for a ride you wonโ€™t soon forget!

Where is it?

Rich Mountain Road is a delightful drive through the Smokies is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.9273, -95.4950

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
11.1 km
Max Elevation
808 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
39.9273, -95.4950

Related Roads in north-america

Driving the hairpinned Tolantongo Roadhard

Driving the hairpinned Tolantongo Road

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ Mexico

Okay, buckle up road-trippers, because the Tolantongo route is a wild one! Picture this: a gravel path snaking its way up and down mountains, with over 40 hairpin turns ready to test your driving mettle. We're talking serious switchbacks here, folks, and let's just say guardrails are taking a day off. But trust me, the views are worth it. As you climb from the Tolantongo spa (about 1,250m above sea level), get ready for some serious eye candy. We're talking stunning canyon walls and panoramic mountain vistas. Just keep your eyes on the road, because this baby has a steep incline, some seriously tight 180ยฐ curves, and the road conditions can be a bit rough. The east side climbs to around 1,830m, while the west tops out at 2,080m. It's a heart-pumping drive perfect for those with nerves of steel!

Where is Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive?moderate

Where is Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! If you're heading to West Texas, you NEED to experience the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park. Seriously, this place is a hidden gem, and this drive is the perfect way to explore it. This 30-mile paved road winds along the Rio Grande, offering killer views and a taste of Texan history. Named after the park's first superintendent, Ross Maxwell, this route is a must-do. Starting from Maverick Drive, you'll climb the Chisos Mountains (watch out for those 20% grades!) to Sotol Vista for insane panoramic views. Then, cruise down to the Rio Grande at Castolon Historic District. The paved road ends at the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead. Want a loop? You *can* reconnect with Highway 118 from Santa Elena Canyon, but the unpaved section is rough, so RVs and low-clearance cars should take note. Is it worth it? A thousand times YES! Think unforgettable vistas, historic sites, the backside of the Chisos Mountains, old homestead ruins...it's a sensory overload of Texan beauty. Just be aware of potential flooding in certain areas. Trust me; this drive will leave you speechless.

Is the road to Oatman AZ paved?moderate

Is the road to Oatman AZ paved?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, road trippers, buckle up for Oatman Highway in Arizona's Mohave County! This isn't your average Sunday drive. As part of the legendary Historic U.S. 66 W, this fully paved route packs a punch. We're talking 48 miles (77km) snaking from McConnico near AZ-95 toward the California border and Catfish Paradise, all the way up to 3,595 feet (1,096m). Get ready for a wild ride through the Black Mountains โ€“ seriously narrow stretches, hairpin turns galore, and some seriously steep climbs. Fair warning: near the top, the road clings to the mountainside with practically no shoulder and only a handful of guardrails. If heights aren't your thing, maybe grab a passenger seat and close your eyes! But, OH, the views! They're absolutely stunning, and thankfully, the road isn't usually too crowded. Plus, there are tons of pull-offs where you can safely stop and snap some photos. Trust me, you'll want to โ€“ this area practically screams "Old West." It's no wonder they filmed movies like "How the West Was Won" and "Edge of Eternity" here. It's a total blast from the past!

Where is Eagle Summit?moderate

Where is Eagle Summit?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, so you wanna hit Eagle Summit? This epic pass sits way up high at 3,652 feet in the White Mountains of central Alaska. You'll find it nestled within the Steese National Conservation Area. The whole stretch of the Steese Highway runs for 156 miles from Fairbanks all the way up to Circle, a cool little town right on the Yukon River (just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Arctic Circle!). The name? It comes from Eagle Creek. This historic route, finished way back in 1927, is open year-round. Heads up: the first 81 miles are paved, but then you're in for some gravelly fun.