Route Type: Weekend overland loop
Base Town: Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Approx. Distance: 81.7 miles
Recommended Direction For This Version: Clockwise
Best Use: 2-day overland weekend, camp-first pacing, scenic finish
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, weather dependent
Navigation: Build your own route in OnX, Gaia, Google Maps (link below), or your preferred GPS app using the road names and POIs below.
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1vRKIccskdM12UAS6EJN5J6SyzctH1e0&usp=sharing
Sponsored: Explore More With onX Offroad
I use onX Offroad for route planning, offline navigation, trail research and recording tracks in the field. Depending on where you’re exploring, you may also find existing Trail Guides, photos and route information for roads and trails throughout the area.
As an onX Offroad Trail Guide, I also use my trips to scout potential new trail submissions, update existing route information and document current field conditions.
If you’re planning a trip of your own, onX is a great companion to official Forest Service MVUMs, state land maps, park maps and other land-manager resources for:
- Downloading maps for offline use
- Viewing existing Trail Guides and photos
- Checking trail difficulty and available route information
- Recording your own tracks and waypoints
- Identifying public-land boundaries and nearby routes
- Exploring additional roads and trails in the surrounding area
Always verify current access, closures, seasonal restrictions and vehicle regulations with the appropriate land-management agency before heading out.
Explore onX Offroad: Get started with onX Offroad
Disclosure: The link above is my onX referral/rewards link. If you sign up or purchase through it, I may receive referral credit at no additional cost to you.
Official Maps & Route-Planning Resources
Before running the East Tennessee Appalachian Forest Loop, check current Cherokee National Forest maps, road status, alerts, and campground information. This V1 route is intended as a route-planning resource, not a final field-verified GPX roadbook.
Official Cherokee National Forest Resources
- Cherokee National Forest Visitor Maps and Guides
Start here for official Forest Service maps, campground maps, closure orders, interactive maps, and Motor Vehicle Use Maps. - Tellico Ranger District MVUM 2024
Use this Motor Vehicle Use Map to confirm which Forest Service roads and trails are legally open to motorized travel on the Tellico Ranger District. - Tellico MVUM Seasonal and Special Vehicle Designations
Check this companion document for seasonal openings, special vehicle designations, and high-clearance route notes. - Cherokee National Forest Current Conditions
Review this page before you go for current alerts, road conditions, seasonal route closures, travel advisories, and fire/weather impacts. - Tellico River Corridor
Official Forest Service information for the Tellico River side of the loop. - Citico Creek Recreation Area
Official Forest Service information for the Citico Creek side of the loop, including primitive camping character, trout stream context, and recreation planning. - Indian Boundary Recreation Area Campground Map
Useful for planning the Indian Boundary portion of the route, campground access, day-use area, and FR345 connection. - Indian Boundary Campground Reservations
Use Recreation.gov to check campground availability, seasonal status, site details, and reservations. - U.S. Forest Service Interactive Visitor Map
Helpful for exploring recreation sites, forest boundaries, campgrounds, and public-land context. Do not use this as a substitute for the MVUM.
Important MVUM Reminder
The Motor Vehicle Use Map is the legal source for determining which National Forest roads, trails, and areas are open to motorized vehicles. If a road or trail does not appear on the MVUM, treat it as closed to public motorized travel. Always check current conditions, posted signage, gates, weather, and seasonal closures before committing to the route.
Choose Your Direction
Counterclockwise: Scenery First
Depart Tellico Plains east toward Tellico River Road / FR210. This direction puts the strongest scenic corridor early: Tellico River, Bald River Falls, North River Road, and the Cherohala/Indian Boundary side. Best for first-time visitors, photography, or a one-day run.
Clockwise: Weekend Build
Depart Tellico Plains north on TN-360 / Ballplay Road. This direction eases into the loop through the quieter North Segment, works into Citico Creek camp country, then saves the biggest scenic payoff for the second half. Best for a 2-day overland weekend.
Clockwise Route Overview
For the clockwise version, depart Tellico Plains north on TN-360 / Ballplay Road. This lets the route build gradually through the quieter foothill and Citico Creek side before finishing with the strongest scenic stretch: Indian Boundary, the Cherohala/North River connection, Bald River Falls, and Tellico River Road.
North Segment: Tellico Plains To Citico Creek / Indian Boundary
| Odo | Route Cue | Field Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Start in Tellico Plains | Reset trip odometer. Fuel up and load offline maps. |
| 0.0-11.7 | Head north on TN-360 / Ballplay Road | Rural foothill approach. Easy pavement and warm-up miles. |
| 11.7 | Ballplay / TN-360 return area | Continue toward the Citico Creek side of the loop. |
| 22.1 | Transition toward Citico Creek corridor | Watch for road-name changes and verify your GPS route. |
| 28.6 | Young Branch area | Campground/forest access area. Verify status before relying on it. |
| 31.2 | Citico Creek camp corridor | Primitive camping feel. Use legal, durable existing sites only. |
| 36.2 | Double Camp / Citico Creek | Creekside camping and recreation corridor. Expect narrow roads and mixed use. |
| 41.3 | Eastern segment join | Continue toward Indian Boundary / Cherohala side. |
| 43.2 | Indian Boundary area | Good regroup point, lake/campground area, and natural transition into the scenic half. |
South Segment: Indian Boundary To Tellico River / Bald River Falls
| Odo | Route Cue | Field Note |
|---|---|---|
| 47.2 | Connect toward Cherohala / FR345 area | Follow signed roadways and your loaded route. Verify MVUM access. |
| 53.3 | Cherohala / North River connection | Transition toward North River Road / FR217. |
| 63.9 | North River Campground area | Good camp or rest option if open. |
| 66.5 | North River Road / FR217 junction | Continue toward Tellico River Road / FR210. |
| 70.0 | Bald River Falls | Major scenic payoff. Limited parking; watch pedestrians and traffic. |
| 75.6 | Tellico Ranger Station area | Good landmark on the Tellico River corridor. |
| 76.5 | Tellico River Road / FR210 exit corridor | Follow the river road back toward Tellico Plains. |
| 81.7 | Finish in Tellico Plains | Loop complete. |
Primary POIs
| POI | Segment | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tellico Plains | Start/Finish | Fuel, food, supplies, and route reset point. |
| TN-360 / Ballplay Road | North Segment | Clockwise departure and paved approach into the loop. |
| Ballplay | North Segment | Return corridor landmark and useful orientation point. |
| Young Branch Area | North Segment | Campground/forest access area. Verify current status. |
| Citico Creek Corridor | North Segment | Quiet creekside forest travel and camping potential. |
| Double Camp / Citico Creek | North Segment | One of the stronger camp/recreation anchors on the north side. |
| Indian Boundary Area | Transition | Lake/campground area and bridge between north and south segments. |
| North River Road / FR217 | South Segment | Forest-road corridor toward the Tellico River side. |
| Bald River Falls | South Segment | Signature scenic stop of the loop. |
| Tellico River Road / FR210 | South Segment | Classic river-road finish back toward Tellico Plains. |
Why Run It Clockwise?
Clockwise is the better choice if you want the loop to feel like a proper weekend route. The first half eases you into the forest through the quieter Ballplay, Citico Creek, and camp-country side. Then the second half delivers the bigger scenic hits: Indian Boundary, North River Road, Bald River Falls, and Tellico River Road.
In short: clockwise starts quieter and finishes stronger.
Important Route Note
This route is intended as a planning resource, not a fully field-verified roadbook. Before driving, check the current Cherokee National Forest MVUM, posted closures, gate status, weather, and local road conditions. Stay on legal motorized routes and out of Wilderness areas.
Tread lightly and Gladiator up! – Doug