About this Location

Facility Overview

The Appalachian National Scenic TrailHead parking on Buck Mountain Road provides an essential access point for hikers traversing one of the most celebrated sectors of the Appalachian Trail in Carter County, Tennessee. Located in the mountainous outskirts of Roan Mountain (zip code 37687), this parking area consists of an open-air, unpaved gravel and earthen roadside turnout immediately adjacent to the trail’s roadway crossing. Designed in a rustic, rural layout, the facility accommodates several vehicles along the natural shoulder and turnout clearing.

Because it is an open-sky surface turnout without gates, height barriers, or overhead structures, there are no vertical clearance limits. Full-size pickup trucks, high-roof conversion vans, crossover SUVs, and vehicles equipped with roof-mounted gear boxes or bike racks can navigate the parking area without clearance concerns. Standard passenger sedans can comfortably access the turnout under normal driving conditions, although drivers of low-slung sports cars should proceed with caution over uneven gravel edges and roadside ruts. Very large recreational vehicles (RVs) and trailers are not recommended due to narrow shoulders and limited turnaround space along Buck Mountain Road.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned along the renowned Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor, this trailhead turnout serves as a prime starting or retrieval point for wilderness explorations across northeast Tennessee and the western North Carolina high country. Key nearby natural destinations and outdoor venues include:

Jones Falls & Elk River: Northbound hikers can follow the white blazes approximately 2.5 to 3 miles along the trail to reach the 100-foot cascading Jones Falls and the pristine trout waters of the Elk River.
Mountaineer Falls & Shelter: Situated roughly 5 miles northbound along the trail, featuring a scenic woodland cascade and an established three-level shelter maintained by the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club (TEHCC).
Roan Mountain State Park: Located approximately 7 miles southwest via US-19E and TN-143, offering 2,000+ acres of Appalachian forest, the historic 19th-century Miller Farmstead, rental cabins, campgrounds, and an amphitheater.
Carver’s Gap & Roan Highlands: Situated roughly 15 miles south via TN-143, giving access to the famous open grassy balds (Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald) and the sprawling Rhododendron Gardens.
Town of Roan Mountain & US-19E Corridor: Located 3.5 miles southwest, providing local diners, bakeries, grocery supplies, and hiker-focused hostels such as the Mountain Harbour Bed & Breakfast and Hiker Hostel.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via Buck Mountain Road. Motorists arriving from the west or south follow US-19E through the community of Roan Mountain, turning northeast onto Buck Mountain Road and following the ascending, scenic two-lane mountain highway past Campbell Hollow Road to the trail intersection. Exiting the turnout is typically hassle-free given the rural, low-density traffic environment.

Due to its secluded mountain geography in the Cherokee National Forest perimeter, public rail, subway, and municipal bus transit services do not operate in the vicinity. Travelers rely on personal automobiles or pre-arranged Appalachian Trail hiker shuttles, which frequently service Buck Mountain Road, Carver's Gap, and US-19E crossings. US-19E provides rapid arterial connectivity northward toward Elizabethton and Johnson City, Tennessee, or eastward into Avery County, North Carolina.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Direct Trail Access: Immediate connection to the Appalachian Trail corridor with clearly visible white rectangular blazes and official USFS boundary trail signs.
Open-Air Headroom: Unlimited vertical clearance welcoming roof-loaded vehicles, tall vans, and high-clearance 4x4s.
Zero Parking Fees: Free public parking available year-round without entry gates, fee tubes, or digital payment requirements.
24/7 Availability: Unrestricted access at all hours, accommodating alpine-start dawn hikers and multi-day section backpackers.
Primitive Setting: True backcountry staging area without artificial lighting, running water, or trash receptacles (Pack It In, Pack It Out).

Ideal For

Appalachian Trail Section Hikers: Backcountry adventurers undertaking point-to-point treks between US-19E, Bitter End, and Dennis Cove Road.
Waterfall Seekers & Day Hikers: Outdoor recreationists aiming for moderate day hikes to Jones Falls, Splash Dam Falls, and the Elk River.
Trail Runners: Distance athletes conditioning on steep, technical mountain singletrack through Carter County’s hardwood ridges.
Shuttle Rendezvous: Thru-hiker support teams, trail angels, and shuttle operators picking up or dropping off hikers along the trail.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Park Mindfully off the Travel Lane: Buck Mountain Road is a narrow two-lane corridor utilized by local residents, timber haulers, and emergency vehicles. Ensure all four tires are pulled completely off the asphalt onto the shoulder to maintain two-way traffic flow.
Practice Vehicle Security: As with any remote rural trailhead, keep vehicles locked, roll windows completely up, and never leave electronics, backpacks, or valuables in plain sight.
Download Maps Offline: Mobile data reception can be weak or nonexistent in the surrounding hollows. Save offline driving routes and topographic trail maps (such as FarOut, Gaia GPS, or Google Maps) before leaving town.
Arrive Early During Peak Seasons: Space along the turnout is strictly limited to a few vehicles. Arrive early in the morning during peak spring wildflower blooms (May–June) and fall foliage weekends in October.
Prepare for Mountain Weather: Elevation changes along this section bring sudden temperature drops, gusting winds, and heavy rain; carry extra thermal layers, waterproof shells, and plenty of drinking water.