Trip Planner:   USA  /  Tennessee  /  Great Smoky Mountains National Park  /  Roaring Fork

Roaring Fork, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4.8
#1 of 27 in Wildlife in Tennessee
Wildlife Area Nature / Park
Deep within the lush wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains, Roaring Fork is surrounded with waterfalls, forested hills, and a number of trails to explore. This area, now on the National Register of Historic Places, is home to frontier cabins and farms. Prone to swelling even after mild rain, the stream's noise echoes loudly through the surroundings. Wander through the Appalachian homesteads in the nearby clearings for a glimpse of an isolated community that survived well into the 20th century. Take a scenic drive along the Motor Nature Trail, a 9.6 km (6 mi) historical road that passes many of the area's major sights. Make Roaring Fork part of your personalized Great Smoky Mountains National Park itinerary using our Great Smoky Mountains National Park online route builder .
Create an itinerary including Roaring Fork
map
Roaring Fork Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
1,260 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • August 23, 2017
    So along the drive there many pull outs. Bring clothes you don't care about keeping dry. Also wear river or water shoes. The kids had fun playing in the water.  more »
  • August 21, 2017
    Make sure you spend the dollar to buy the Roaring Fork motor trail guide before starting the drive as it will explain all the wonderful sites on this amazing road. Get out a each stop and explore and ...  more »
  • August 18, 2017
    Was not as impressed by the trail as others may have been. Personally prefer the drive thru the park or Cades Cove. It was a curvy road and we saw no wildlife.  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Popular
Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Mount LeConte
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
©
Newfound Gap Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Nature
©
Clingmans Dome
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
©
Chimney Tops
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Laurel Falls
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Trails
©
Alum Cave Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Charlies Bunion
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
Kid Friendly Attractions
©
Chimneys Picnic Area
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
Grotto Falls Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
The Sinks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
Side Trips
©
Dollywood
Pigeon Forge
Visit for: 4​h
©
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Gatlinburg
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah Forest
Visit for: 8​h
Nearby
Little River Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Sugarland Riding Stables
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Walker Sisters' Cabin
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Where to stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

©
Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, choose between developed campgrounds where you can pitch your tent by your car and access restrooms and showers, or more primitive vehicle-accessed campgrounds. The park also offers accommodations in a permanent structure at LeConte Lodge, which is accessible via five different hiking trails. (There is no car access; you must hike in to use this lodge.) For a wider array of lodging options, stay in Gatlinburg. Serving primarily as a resort gateway to the park, the town offers various styles of accommodation, from national chain hotels to mountain lodges to small inns. Most places lie within 8 km (5 mi) of the park's entrance.
Live like a local, find unique places to stay
Millions of travel reviews on TripAdvisor

Plans in Great Smoky Mountains National Park by other users

18 days in United States BY A USER FROM GERMANY July, teens, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: July, teens, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 53 days in United States BY A USER FROM POLAND August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, fast-paced, popular PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Fast-paced 55 days in United States BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 4 days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 28 days in United States & Canada BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, teens, popular PREFERENCES: July, teens ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 31 days in United States & Canada BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, teens, popular PREFERENCES: July, teens ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 4 days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Bryson City BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES November, popular PREFERENCES: November ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 52 days in Continental USA & Canada BY A USER FROM GERMANY July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 31 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES April, popular PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 10 days in Tennessee & Virginia BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES December, popular PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES December, kids, popular PREFERENCES: December, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
View more plans