North River Road Auto Touring Directions

 From Tellico Plains to River Road 

From Intersection of Hwy 68 South and the Cherohala Skyway 165 in Tellico Plains travel 5 miles  east on the Skyway and bear RIGHT onto River Road. 

Below: North River Road in Autumn

River Road Section

Once on River Road 

You will pass Bald River Falls at 6 miles on your RIGHT

You will pass Baby Falls at about 6.5 miles on your LEFT

There  are restrooms at Baby Falls 

Continue onward for 9 miles to a LEFT turn onto  North River Road

North River Road  Section

North River Road Overview 

It turns off River Road and runs more or less parallel  to it as it winds its way through the mountains by North River.   It is possible to drive just a little under three miles up North River road and turn RIGHT onto North River Cutoff Road and let it lead you 1 mile back to River road.  Once back on River Road you can turn LEFT and go to State Line or you can turn RIGHT and you will be at North River Ranger Station where there are bathrooms, potable water, a campground, and possibly a ranger.  North River Road continues for a distance of about 10 miles total and comes out at Stratton Meadows.  It is possible to take a side trip to Whigg Meadow from North River Road. I have outlined the particulars below. 

You will pass beautiful scenery, primitive campsites on either side of the road, and cascades of varying sizes.  There are pull offs at irregular intervals. 

At mile 2.8 you will reach North River Cut Off Road on the RIGHT. It is 1 mile across the North River Cut Off Road back to River Road.  A right turn here will put you out at the North River Ranger Station where there are bathrooms and sometimes there is a ranger.  It is also the dump station for RVs and the fill station for potable water.  The Cut Off Road is not terribly scenic. 

To Continue on North River Road stay straight and you will pass more campsites, beautiful scenery and cascades. 

You will pass Meadow Branch Falls down over the bank on the RIGHT at 8.5 miles. 

The way point for it is 35.323400,-84.067660

Below: the main drop of Meadow Branch Falls is 25 ft high

It is visible from the road and there are additional drops above and below  it, but there is no official trail to it. 

You will see a rough scramble path down over the bank.  Use caution if you decide to approach it, but it is doable.  

If you follow North River Road all the way to its end you will come out at Stratton Meadows at around 9.5 miles.   You will pass under a bridge and once under that you come to a T intersection. Bear RIGHT and you will come out on the Skyway in a little less than a mile.  A right turn or WEST returns you to Tellico Plains. A LEFT turn or EAST  heads you across the Skyway to Robbinsville. 

If you would like to drive to Whigg Meadow as a side trip.... you will see a RIGHT turn at mile 8 that trends downward to start off. It climbs to Whigg Meadow where you can get out and stretch your legs and take in the scenery and the view.   Some maps  call the turn here "Mud Gap Road". 

It is a most worthwhile drive and far less traveled than River Road or the Skyway. 

Below: Whigg Meadow in Autumn