Motorcycle Rides Near Me in Tennessee

Motorcycle Riding in the state of Tennessee  

So far we have told you about Tennessee's nearest motorcycle riding hotspot (the Blue Ridge Box), as well as some iconic US motorcycle roads that are spread out around the USA.  But if you simply want to know what the best motorcycle rides near you in Tennessee are, then read on as I describe 5 of the very best motorcycle rides in Tennessee below.  As mentioned above, one of them is truly an iconic US motorcycle ride but in total, there are currently 68 Tennessee motorcycle roads registered on McR which puts the state at nearly double the national average (at the time of this publication, the average state had 35 registered motorcycle roads).  And, not only does Tennessee do well in terms of quantity but also does very well when it comes to quality of motorcycle rides as many of its roads are found in the coveted Top 100 Motorcycle Rides in the USA. 

Below we highlight 5 of the best motorcycle rides in Tennessee but for the complete listing check out all registered Tennessee motorcycle rides.

The Top-5 Best Motorcycle Rides in Tennessee: 

1. Deal's Gap (AKA "The Dragon" Or "Tail Of The Dragon")

The 11-mile stretch along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located at a sparsely populated area near the Tennessee-South Carolina border. The closest town to the north end of the route is Tallahassee. Views of the lush evergreen forest-covered mountains along the curving paths attracts rider from far and wide! The TN/NC border with the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east and The Great Smoky Mountains on the west offer road altitudes of above 5k and showcases 16 majestic peaks. Tread cautiously as there are several sharp turns and steep drop-offs.

2. Cherohala Skyway

Begin at Tellico Plains, TN and take Highway 165 that changes name to National Forest Road at the TN/NC border. Take a right on to the Cherohala Skyway and in a mile turn left to get back on the National Forest Road. From here, you go through the mountains to get to Robbinsville, NC. There are only restrooms for about 40 miles and the path can be dangerous at night and during winter. It is pretty secluded. The Tellico River on the Tennessee side offers trout fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Gas up and eat up in the Tellico Plains for this curvy 51-mile trip. You can camp or get a cabin in Tellico or get a hotel at Robbinsville. Tellico also has a visitor’s center and a museum.

3. Natchez Trace Parkway

This 430-mile motorcycle ride goes north from Natchez, Mississippi to Leipers Fork, Tennessee. It begins with stretches of oak, pine, beech and magnolia canopies. This US Department of Transportation’s elite ‘All American Road’ is especially beautiful in the spring when Dogwoods and Redbuds bud. It follows a historic almost 8,000-year-old pathway that Indians, armies, Spanish conquistadors, boatmen of the Midwest and early American settlers took. You will also see the ‘Little Mountain’, ironically the highest point of Mississippi here. The road offers several artistic and historic attractions. Jeff Busby Site is the only fuel station.

4. "The Snake" - Hwy 421 & 34

This Tennessee motorcycle ride goes from Mountain City to Holston Valley through the Cherokee National Forest and Shady Valley. The ‘Snake’ has 489 curves, 3 mountains and a valley, all in just 33 miles! The Cherokee National Forest has some amazing views and the best twisties around as you go atop the first mountain ridge. The exhilarating twisties that continue to the second mountain goes through the third and the Holston Lake to the Valley. Either ends have all facilities you could need.

5. The Trace (Through The Land Between The Lakes)

This Tennessee motorcycle ride starts at Dover. It has a lot of scenery including a bison range, elk, an 1850’s settlement, lakes, springs, wood stretches and open scenery vistas. At Trace there is the Homeplace, a 4-dollar tour that shows you an old living working farm where animals walk around freely. Gentle rolling hills, smooth curves and overall good motorcycle roads lead to Grand River, KY. There are some places to grab a bite on the road, but not many restrooms.
 

Lastly, overall Tennessee offers something for nature lovers, history enthusiasts and culture seekers. It is one of those states that is complete with great food and music too.  So putting together great motorcycle outings in this state is easy as you simply can combine any of the many great Tennessee motorcycle roads found on McR and any of the suggested destinations/attractions in the list below: 

• Graceland is the mansion where the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley once resided. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places and displays artifacts such as his clothing, records, cars and planes. The grand house and its furnishings are indeed a spectacle. The tour also offers a multimedia iPad to help understand the exhibits better.
• Ijams Nature Center, a natural park and protected wildlife area, spans over 300 acres and offers several attractions like hiking, paddling, trail walking, canoeing and biking. Local handmade crafts, gifts and refreshments are available here.
• The Beale Street, named one of the country’s most iconic streets, is in Memphis. The two-mile street runs from the Mississippi River to East Street and is lined with blues clubs and restaurants. The clubs here had a historic role to play with blues music. Even today tourists from all over the world come in to attend the festivals and concerts hosted here.
• The Discovery Park of America has 50 acres of a museum, park and a garden with several exhibits and activities. One can learn about the state’s history, military science, art and nature here. The highlights are a theater earthquake stimulator, a 20,000-gallon aquarium and a 60-foot replica of a human body. A special exhibit area changes from time to time.
• The Memphis Zoo is home to 3,500 animals belonging to 500 species. Modeled after their natural habitats, the tour is about 2 miles long. It is one of the only four zoos in the country to have Giant Pandas from China.
• The Lookout Mountain includes three major attractions. The Ruby Falls has the world’s tallest underground waterfall. The tour goes through caves and ends up at a site to enjoy the water. Rock City Gardens is a park that houses the Lover’s Leap, from where it is believed to be possible to see seven states. The Incline Railway is known to be the world’s steepest passenger railway that climbs to the summit, showcasing wonderful views.
• The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Range. The beautiful scenic biodiversity features black bear and elk encounters while visitors hike. Cades Cove preserves some Appalachian Historic Buildings.
• Stone River National Battlefield is a Civil War site in Murfreesboro. The 570-acre park has educational avenues to learn about this specific battle and the events of the whole war. The Hazen’s Bridage Monument here is the oldest surviving American Civil War monument.
• Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium spreads over 3,500 acres to preserve nature. This includes a 44-acre lake. Attractions here include a Nature Center with the Planetarium. Exhibits of animal habitats, a 300-foot zip line (where one can sign up for an adventure ropes course), hiking and biking trails. The planetarium offers free seasonal astronomy viewings at night.