Smoky Mountain Driving Tour:   Forge Creek and Parson Branch Roads

Distance: 8 miles one way

The Forge Creek Road is a gravel road from Cades Cove Loop Road to highway 129 at the park's southwestern border in North Carolina. After traveling 2.3 miles, The Parson Branch Road veers off to the right.

Parsons Branch Road runs through an area once called Chestnut Flats. It was a notorious hang - out for moonshiners.   Many a shootout took place in this region -- and this went on well into the 20th Century.

Parsons Branch Road is closed from December through mid - March. Also, buses, trailers and RV's are not permitted.

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