There’s something beautifully comforting about taking backroads, don’t you think? There’s just something about the old school and brilliant, exciting, and almost forgotten treks that call to our wanderlust. We’re in the car so often nowadays that the beauty of nature and the twang of the radio is simply forgotten. Here are our picks for 10 scenic roads that make for the most scenic drives near Knoxville TN:

1. Antebellum Trail

Antebellum Drive, Antebellum Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37128, USA
Krishna Santhanam/Flickr
This historic drive runs from Nashville to Mount Pleasant, and it is rife with great stops and immersed in national history. Like most of the roads on this list, it's astonishingly beautiful all year, but there's just something about the summer and autumn months that are particularly special.

2. Cherohala Skyway

Cherohala Skyway, United States
Dzmitry (Dima) Parul/Flickr




The Cherohala Skyway is so stunning that it was made into a national scenic byway! It's 43 miles of and miles of incredible scenery. It's shared with Tennessee and North Carolina, so you can get to dance between some state lines again!

3. Cherokee National Forest

Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee 37727, USA
幻影留梦/Flickr
Much like its cousin, the Great Smoky Mountains, Cherokee National Forest offers way too many backroads with a perfect opportunity to burn some gas and kill an entire afternoon. It's one of the most beautiful drives in Tennessee.

4. Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains, United States
David Brossard/Flickr
Looking for "scenic drives near me?" There's no better place than this National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in East Tennessee, and there are literally hundreds of little, barely-appreciated roads that spin off into a beautiful nature netherworld. Go out, cruise, and get lost.

5. Hyatt's Lane

Cades Cove, Tennessee 38358, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
Located out by Cades Cove, Hyatt's Lane is a little piece of heaven that may take a bit of work from your GPS to find - we promise it's worth it! Though it is definitely beautiful all year round, the road is super-lush during the warmer months. It's a wonderful drive if you're on the hunt for "country roads near me." To see all of Cades Cove and its lush beauty including lots of black bears check out this Adventuring in the Moment video:


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6. Natchez Trace

Natchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace Pkwy, Tennessee, USA
marekuliasz/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images




Running all the way up from Mississippi to Tennessee, Natchez Trace is absolutely gorgeous during summer and even more incredible in the fall. It provides about 440 miles of driving pleasure!

7. Grundy State Forest

Grundy State Forest, Tennessee 37387, USA
Stanislav Vitebskiy/Flickr
Located in Tracy City off of Highway 56, the drive up into the mountains here is one you'll never forget. Your best bet is to take Fiery Gizzard Road from Tracey City.

8. Overton County

Overton County, TN, USA
Kristen Bobo/Flickr
Overton County, Tennessee, is an absolutely STUNNING bit of the state, and we found a million and a half little roads here with great views. So, pick a back road and get lost. You really can't go wrong with this one - it's easy and fun.

9. Deal's Gap

Deals Gap, Tennessee 37882, USA
Dread Pirate Jeff/Flickr
Credit for Deal's Gap is most commonly given to North Carolina, but it actually lies on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line, so we'll count it. It's shared in the same way Lake Tahoe lives in both Nevada and California, you know? This mountain pass flirts with both states and will have your camera and selfie game working overtime. Be cautious, though, as it's also quite windy - there are 318 curves in 11 miles of road!

10. Camp Nakanawa

Camp Nakanawa, 1084 Camp Nakanawa Rd, Crossville, TN 38571, USA
Jeffrey Hood/Flickr
The road to Camp Nakanawa is right off of I-40, near Crossville. The colors are beautiful in autumn, by the way, so plan accordingly!

In case you couldn’t tell, we’re totally obsessed with scenic drives near Knoxville TN, down country roads. So no need to search for “Best backroad drives near me” When you have this amazing list of 10 scenic drives right here. Don’t forget to pack your favorite snacks for the road trip. Did you pick a favorite? What is it? Have you traveled anywhere on our list? We want to hear! Let us know in the comments below, friends, and happy (and safe) driving!

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More to Explore

Scenic Drives in Tennessee

Tori Jane | February 22, 2021

Are there a lot of country roads in Tennessee?

There are lots of country roads in Tennessee and here are just a few of our favorites:

There are, and they're our favorites! It seems like no matter where you live in the Volunteer State, you'll find a back road to enjoy over and over again. Tennessee is a state with a lot to explore, and our road network is excellent for adventuring. Pick one and drive on!

Where can I find beautiful scenery in Tennessee?

Here are two beautiful and scenic areas to explore in Tennessee:

Well, to be fair, the vast majority of the state is composed of beautiful scenery. We have several particularly stunning state parks (56, to be exact), including some gems like Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park, in Unicoi County, and Fall Creek Falls, which features an incredible, 256-foot-tall waterfall (one of the tallest in the entire country!). No matter what kind of peaceful environment you're seeking - you'll find it in Tennessee's stunning state parks (and in lots of other places, of course). Check out this article for more ideas for scenic drives in Tennessee.

Are there a lot of forests in Tennessee?

Yes, there are lots of forests in Tennessee, and here are two great options:

A little over half of the state is covered in dense forest (52%, if you're wondering). They're beautiful, with hundreds of miles of trails for walking, hiking, and biking, and tons of waterfalls, ponds, and springs for your enjoyment. The possibilities are endless!

 

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