Biking in the Smokies
     Riding a bike through the Smoky Mountains is an exhilarating experience.  A cyclist may take an early morning ride on a winding road and hear the sounds of a bubbling mountain stream, see the low morning sun peek through the dense surrounding forest, or notice how the morning dew reflects sunlight off the golden brown leaves of fall foliage.  Whether it is breathing the mountain air, catching a glimpse of wildlife, or challenging the steep mountain climbs, the Park offers plenty of reasons for cyclists to bike here.  Listed below is information about cycling in the Park.

Biking Information

     Bicycles can travel on most roads within the park. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is the exception. The Foothills Parkway provides good biking opportunities. Cyclists may traverse the parkway's unfinished portions. Cades Cove offers another great riding opportunity. The loop road periodically closes to motorized vehicles for the benefit of foot and bicycle traffic. It will close to motor vehicle traffic from May-September until 10 a.m. each Wednesday and Saturday.

     No mountain biking trails are available. A few graveled trails, including the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail, allow bicycles.

     Bike rentals are available in the Cades Cove Campground Store (located near Cades Cove Campground).  Bike rental costs $4.00 per hour or $20.00 per full day. From June through August, bikes may be used from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the last rental at 4:30 p.m.. (Rentals start at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from approximately May through September.) For the rest of the season, bikes are available from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with the last rental at 2:30 p.m. All of these times may be subject to change based on weather conditions. Call (865) 448-9034 for additional information.

Safety is always a major concern where cars and bicycles must share the road. Please wear helmets, use rear view mirrors, and follow all traffic regulations.

Bike Shops

  • Cycle Quest Bicycle Center: 3406 Teaster Ln; Pigeon Forge, TN 37863; 865-429-5558 
  • Mountain Sports Outfitters: 925 Winfield Dunn Pkwy; Sevierville, TN; 865-429-1029 
  • Shifting Gears LLC: 636 Middle Creek Rd Ste 2; Sevierville,TN 37862; 865-908-1999 
  • J Cs Bicycle Repair: 7331E Lamar Alexander Pkwy; Townsend, TN 37882-3808; 865-448-0009 

 

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