Story & photos by MARISA MCINTURFF
FAVORITE RIDE
My Favorite Ride Begins in Tellico Plains, TN
Waterfalls, Gravel, and the Cherohala Skyway
If you asked me what my favorite motorcycle ride is, I’ d probably dodge the question. I’ d tell you every motorcycle is fun on the right road. That every ride is memorable for a different reason. That there are simply too many incredible places to choose just one.
But if you handed me a set of keys on Friday afternoon and said,“ Go ride your favorite route this weekend,” I wouldn’ t spend much time thinking about it. I’ d point the front wheel toward Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Over the last decade, Tellico Plains has quietly transformed into one of the Southeast’ s premier motorcycle destinations. Riders from across the country know it as the western gateway to the Cherohala Skyway, but that’ s only part of its appeal. What was once a sleepy mountain town has become a gathering place for adventure riders, sport-touring enthusiasts, cruisers, and dual-sport riders alike. The roads seem to radiate from town in every direction, each one leading to another overlook, another waterfall, another forgotten forest road worth exploring.
Unlike destinations built around a single famous road, Tellico offers enough variety to keep riders busy for days. It’ s also become one of my favorite weekend escapes.
When I visit, I usually stay at Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.
Left: Our favorite route shared with friends on this ride in July 2026. Right: Couldn’ t help but capture the blue ridgelines and my beloved KTM 950 ADV.
Owners Wayne and Kellie have spent more than 15 years welcoming riders with clean cabins, campsites, and the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back. For around $ 60 a night, an air-conditioned cabin makes an easy home base after a long day in the saddle, and by evening the campground is filled with riders swapping stories around the campfire while motorcycles cool in the gravel parking lot. The next morning is when my favorite ride begins. Leaving town, I avoid the Cherohala Skyway( for now) and instead turn onto River Road, following the Tellico River upstream. The pace slows almost immediately. The river tumbles over smooth boulders beside the pavement while towering hardwoods create a canopy overhead. It’ s one of those roads where you naturally back off the throttle because there’ s simply too much to look at. Only a few miles from town, Bald River Falls comes crashing into view.
Unlike many waterfalls tucked away behind lengthy hikes, Bald River Falls practically pours onto the roadside. After recent restoration of the bridge crossing the falls, it’ s easier than ever to stop, wander around with a camera, and appreciate the power of the water as it falls nearly 100 feet into the river below. It’ s one of the Southeast’ s most photogenic
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / SEPTEMBER 2026 / 47