Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Parson Branch Road Auto Tour
This 8-mile gravel road leads from the Cades Cove Loop Road to US 129 toward the North Carolina side of the Park and Calderwood Dam. Parsons Branch Road was originally a main artery among a complex of roads feeding the smaller coves and hollows with Cades Cove. These highlands coves were home to several mountaineer farmers who stood against Confederate raiders. Parsons Branch leads south from Cades Cove and is located just after the Cades Cove Visitors Center. No trailers or RVs are allowed. This route takes approximately one hour to complete.
Carolina side of the Park and Calderwood Dam. Parsons Branch Road was originally a main artery among a complex of roads feeding the smaller coves and hollows with Cades Cove. These highlands coves were home to several mountaineer farmers who stood against Confederate raiders. Parsons Branch leads south from Cades Cove and is located just after the Cades Cove Visitors Center. No trailers or RVs are allowed. This route takes approximately one hour to complete. 
