Scenic Drives in Monroe County, TN
Monroe County, TN has some of the best driving in the country. Don't take our word for it, come experience the Cherohala Skyway, Woodland Drive, and Tellico River Road for yourself! These scenic routes are perfect for day trips, Tennessee sightseeing or Monroe County vacation activities!
Tellico River Road
Tellico River Road
Located near Tellico Plains, Tennessee, this road (Forest Service Road 210/Tellico River Road) winds alongside the Tellico River as it tumbles through the Cherokee National Forest. Along the way, you will pass by the Historic Tellico Ranger Station, built as a CCC Camp and lovingly restored. Bald River Falls provides a spectacular visual treat - cascading over 90 feet. Parking is available at the falls so you can linger, take photographs, and enjoy nature’s splendor. Baby Falls attracts kayakers from near and far. The Tellico Fish Hatchery is located upriver. All in all, a beautiful drive
Woodland Drive
This 32 mile drive from Tellico Plains, TN to Benton, TN is less about nearby attractions and more about the beautiful views travelers this way will experience. It passes through lush woods where the trees often form a canopy over the road, and there is an array of small, quaint towns on the trip. The Hiwassee River, which parallels the route much of the time, affords multiple opportunities to pull over and commune with nature or drop a line to see if a fish will bite. The best time to enjoy this drive is in the Spring, Summer, or Fall. Travelers turn on Mecca Pike Road, from Highway 68 in Tellico Plains to begin the drive and then end the drive in Benton, TN on Highway 411.
Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway
The Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway (also know as the Cherohala Skyway) is about 50 miles long with views of ancient forests where Cherokee tribes and early pioneers traveled and settled in the Appalachian Mountains along with mile-high vistas with magnificent views. The name “Cherohala” comes from the names of the two National Forests: “Chero” from the Cherokee and “hala” from the Nantahala. The Cherohala Skyway is located in southeast Tennessee and southwest North Carolina. The Skyway connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee, with Robbinsville, North Carolina.