Many visitors to the Smoky Mountains have already done their research when planning sightseeing trips. They think about Cades Cove or driving up to Clingman’s Dome and they forget about one of the closest to Sevierville, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail & Historic District in Gatlinburg.

The Roaring Fork Motor Trail begins just past the Rainbow Falls Trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Road. This one-way road will slowly climb Piney Mountain topping out on an overlook of the mountain’s northern slopes at about 3000 feet elevation.

As you begin the decent of the mountain you will pass the Trillium Gap Trailhead before entering the Roaring Fork Hollow. After crossing the bridge over the Roaring Fork (a stream that’s source originates from the northern slopes of Mount LeConte) you will enter the Historic District featuring the Jim Bales Place, older brother’s Ephraim Bales Place, and The Alfred Reagan Farm.

These historic homesteads feature cabin, barns, corn cribs and a “tub” grist mill, many of them being the original buildings. Guest can enjoy a pleasant morning or an afternoon observing these historic buildings of days gone by.

You may reach the Roaring Fork Motor Trail by turning east at either traffic lights 6 or 8 on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg and you will exit at traffic light 1A on the East Parkway. Map of the city of Gatlinburg

Jim Bales Place