Old Cataloochee Turnpike

The Old Cataloochee Turnpike was originally a footpath used by the Cherokee Native Americans and spanned from the Cove Creek area to Cosby, Tennessee. When European settlers came in, the footpath became the first wagon road in Tennessee in the early 1860s. Today it traverses the northeastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The road passes through a dense forest with beautifully bridged river crossings, waterfalls, and hundreds of blind turns. There is no dispersed camping due to being in a national park. The road does have a gate, which the Park Service shuts during snow and ice conditions. This route includes only dirt and a portion of Mt. Sterling Road in the north. Connect this with either Buzzard Roost or Old Buzzard Roost for a great day of driving backroads into the National Park.