Ride the Dual Roads of Roan Mountain State Park—TN 143 and NC 261
In our Classic Roads articles, we typically highlight a specific enjoyable motorcycling road in the U.S., or sometimes elsewhere in the world. This time, though, I’ll be talking about two roads. It’s cats living with dogs, complete anarchy!
Well, the situation’s not quite so bad—the two roads form one continuous, scenic, and fun 25-mile motorcycling route. We’re talking about North Carolina SR 261 and Tennessee SR 143, which stretch through the Roan Mountain State Park.
The southern end of this ride is in Bakersville, NC, where SR 261 branches off of SR 662. You’ll start the ride on a curvy rural road, passing sprawling farmland as you gradually ascend in altitude.
Once you pass Hidden Creek, the climb gets steeper, and you begin to run into some serious twists. This is among the curviest rides in the Southeast, so make sure your cornering skills are honed.
Around the halfway point of the route, you’ll pass the state line at Carvers Gap at an altitude of 5,512 feet. From here, Tennessee SR 143 begins a rather steep descent from the mountain in certain places.
The curves don’t let up, though, and you get to enjoy one thrilling turn after another until the woods spit you out roughly 20 miles into the ride. The rest of the route is made of a chill rural two-laner that finally terminates at the town of Roan Mountain.
Together, NC SR 261 and TN SR 143 make for an exciting all-paved riding experience that suits virtually any bike. The turns are moderately challenging but not too difficult, so even not-so-experienced bikers can complete this ride as long as they ride cautiously.
The forest surrounding the road is gorgeous, especially in fall when the leaves turn orange—although the abundant greenery of summer has its own charm as well. If you’re into outdoor activities, you’ll pass several trailheads and campgrounds along the road.
The Roan Mountain State Park and the two roads that traverse are motorcycling distilled to its very essence. They offer a good road, great curves, beautiful scenery, and some nice opportunities for off-saddle activities.
What more do you need?
Points of Interest
Carvers Gap
Carvers Gap, at an elevation of 5,512 feet, splits the Roan Mountain into two sections. To the west, the mountains are covered in coniferous forest, while in the east, grassy bald dominates.
The Appalachian trail passes by Carvers Gap, allowing you to get off the bike for a moment and get blood flowing back to your legs. There’s a small parking lot at the crest, but it fills up quickly.
Miller Farmstead
Dave and Louisa Miller built this white farmhouse in 1870. For more than 90 years, three generations of the Miller family called it home.
Today, the farmstead is on the National Register of Historical Places. Guided tours take you through the property and teach you about the Roan Mountain region and how people here lived in the past through authentic period buildings and equipment.
The tours are organized in the summer months between May and September three times a day. For tour times and current pricing, check TNStateParks.com.
Hikes
In addition to the Appalachian Trail, the Roan Mountain State Park features 12 miles of day-use hiking trails. The paths cover all difficulty levels, so there’s no reason for any biker to not go and appreciate the mountain’s beauty up close.
That said, the terrain can get very steep on certain trails. It’s best to check trail maps and weather forecasts beforehand so you don’t get in over your head.
Facts & Info
Recommended Lodging: Pine Valley Motel
The Pine Valley Motel is located in Spruce Pine, NC, roughly 12 miles from Bakersville. It’s a good launching point into the Roan Mountain State Park, as well as many other riding destinations in the North Carolina/Tennessee border area.
This is the basic kind of motel that every motorcyclist is familiar with. It doesn’t offer anything fancy, but the rooms are decently sized, there are multiple dinner options within walking distance, and you can park your bike right by your door.
For riders who prefer a more rustic lifestyle, the Roan Mountain State Park boasts 106 campsites, each with a grill and a picnic table. You should book your campsite well in advance, however, as the campground can fill up.
Food & Dining
- Lee’s Country Cafe: Fill your stomach with classic, tasty American diner fare before you head out on the road. The friendly, attentive service just makes the burgers and sandwiches taste better. Find it at 262 Bakers Ln, Bakersville, NC.
- Highlander BBQ: On the northern end of the route, you’ll find a top-notch local barbecue joint. They cook their meats with love and care, and it shows. Find it at 8315 US 19 E, Roan Mountain, TN.
- Americano Steak House and Wine Bar: Riders looking for a more refined dining experience can find it at Americano. Their steaks have been voted the best in the area time and time again—enough said. Find it at 8362 US 19 E, Roan Mountain, TN.
Best Time to Travel
You should ride through the Roan Mountain State Park either in the summer or fall. Summer offers the best opportunities to hit the hiking trails and the greenery is spectacular.
In fall, however, the mountainsides burn with red, orange, and yellow leaves. If you enjoy fall foliage, this is a ride you shouldn’t miss.