Some of the best views in Union County are found by simply driving slowly, with the windows down and no fixed plan, along roads where cattle and buffalo graze beside the pavement.
There is a special pleasure in exploring a place without hurrying. Union County is made for it. The rolling back roads wander past pastures, over hills and along the water, and every few miles there is something worth stopping to see. Whether you have a free afternoon or a full weekend, touring the county by car, and occasionally by ferry, is one of the most relaxing ways to understand it. This guide gathers the scenic drives, the byways and the little detours that make a road trip here memorable.
Why a slow drive works so well here
Many people experience a destination by checking off famous sights. Union County invites a different approach. The county is only 15 miles north of Knoxville, so it is easy to reach, but once you arrive the pace changes. The landscape rolls gently under the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains, and the lake appears and disappears between the trees and fields.
Driving the back roads lets you notice things that a faster route would miss. You might see cattle and buffalo grazing in pastures, a quiet farmhouse beside a field or a glimpse of deep green water at the bottom of a hill. These small moments are the heart of a scenic drive, and they are why so many visitors say the road itself was the highlight of their trip.
Routes worth planning around
Rolling back roads
Tour the county and enjoy the open countryside, where cattle and buffalo may be seen grazing in pastures.
White Lightning Trail
Plan a road trip on the White Lightning Trail along Thunder Road, a route with its own character and story.
East Tennessee Rivers and Byways
Follow National Geographic’s map of East Tennessee Rivers and Byways to see the county as part of a wider region.
The ferry to Braden
Take the ferry to the community of Braden and enjoy a crossing that is a destination in its own right.
You do not need to complete every route in a single day. In fact, the most enjoyable road trips often focus on just one or two, leaving time to stop whenever something catches your eye. A relaxed itinerary is a better one, and you can always return to try another route on a later visit.
Crossing the water by ferry
The ferry to the community of Braden is a highlight for many visitors. A ferry ride gives you a view of the lake from a different perspective and lets you enjoy the water without piloting a boat. It also turns a simple trip from one place to another into a small adventure.
When you plan a ferry day, allow plenty of time. Bring a camera, enjoy the scenery from the deck and take a moment to simply watch the water. If you are traveling with children, a ferry crossing is often a favorite part of the trip, because it combines the excitement of a boat ride with the comfort of keeping the car close by.
Take the ferry to the community of Braden, and dine at one of the marinas accessible by water or by car.
Dining along the way
A good road trip needs a good meal, and Union County offers a distinctive option: dining at the marinas. Several marinas can be reached either by water or by car, which means that boaters and drivers can share the same table. Pulling up to a marina for lunch, with the lake in view, is one of the simple pleasures of the area.
Beach Island Resort & Marina has an on-site restaurant, which makes it a convenient stop for travelers. It is also worth asking local residents for their favorite places to eat. People who live here are usually happy to share recommendations, and a local tip can lead to a meal you would never have found on your own.
Wildlife and wide open spaces
Scenic drives are also wildlife drives. The wide open spaces of Union County are perfect for viewing wildlife, and a slow pace gives you the best chance to notice it. Early morning and evening are often the most rewarding times, when animals are more active and the light is soft across the fields.
Always give animals space, and keep a respectful distance from livestock grazing near the road. If you stop to take photographs, pull completely off the road in a safe place, switch on your hazard lights if needed and watch for other traffic. A thoughtful approach keeps both you and the animals safe.
Road trip checklist
- A full tank of fuel before you head out on the back roads.
- Water, snacks and a small cooler for longer drives.
- A paper map or downloaded directions, in case a signal is weak.
- A camera or phone with plenty of charge for photographs.
- Comfortable shoes for the places where you decide to stop and walk.
- Patience, because the best parts of the trip are the unplanned ones.
A sample scenic day
Start on the back roads
Leave early and tour the rolling countryside while the light is soft and the pastures are quiet.
Cross by ferry
Take the ferry to the community of Braden and enjoy the crossing and the view.
Lunch at a marina
Dine at a marina, reached by water or by car, and relax with a view of the lake.
Follow the Thunder Road story
Plan a stretch of the White Lightning Trail along Thunder Road, taking your time at each stop.
Sunset by the water
Finish with a glowing sunset from a boat deck, a porch or a campfire.
Add a stop for music and history
Union County has a rich cultural history, and a scenic drive is a good way to discover it. Wander through the county’s musical heritage by visiting the Union County Historical Society, or stop in Luttrell, home of CMA musicians Kenny Chesney and Chet Atkins. These stops add a human story to the landscape and give the trip a sense of place.
Museums, historic landmarks and quaint shops are also part of the county’s appeal. Leave time in your plan to browse and chat with the people you meet. A road trip is as much about the encounters along the way as the scenery.
Where to stay between drives
If you want to spread your exploring over several days, staying in the county makes the experience easier. Cabins, campsites, an inn and vacation rentals are all available. Hickory Star Marina offers the Village Inn, cabins and RV campsites. Loyston Point Campground has lakefront campsites and cabins, and VRBO lists a variety of properties in the area, from lake front and secluded to small and large.
A comfortable base gives you a place to return to each evening and lets you enjoy sunrise and sunset on the lake. It also means you can take each day at its own pace, without worrying about a long drive home.
Traveling with family
A scenic drive can be a wonderful family activity, especially if you plan with everyone in mind. Children often enjoy spotting animals in the pastures, riding the ferry and eating at a marina where boats pull up to the dock. Build in plenty of stops so that younger travelers can stretch their legs, and keep snacks and drinks within easy reach.
If older relatives are joining you, choose stops that are easy to reach and offer a place to sit. The beauty of a scenic drive is that it can be as gentle or as adventurous as the group desires. Many families find that the slow pace gives everyone time to talk, which is itself a rare treat.
Capturing the journey
Photographers will find endless inspiration along the back roads of Union County. The light changes across the lake from sunrise to sunset, pastures glow in the early morning and the shoreline offers reflections on calm days. A sunset from a boat deck or a porch is especially popular, and many visitors build their entire day around it.
When you stop to take pictures, choose a safe place to pull over and keep clear of the road. Ask permission before photographing people or entering private property, and respect any signs you see. A simple travel journal, with notes about each stop, can be a lovely companion to your photographs.
A route for every interest
Different travelers find different things to love. Nature enthusiasts might spend extra time watching wildlife in the pastures and looking for places where the lake opens into wide views. Music lovers might make Luttrell and the Union County Historical Society the center of their day. History lovers might browse museums and historic landmarks, while those who enjoy shopping might linger in the quaint shops.
The best itineraries combine a few of these interests. Start with the one that excites you most, add a couple of supporting stops and leave plenty of open time. In a county where so much is within a short drive, a flexible plan will almost always beat a rigid one.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Union County from Knoxville?
Union County is just 15 miles north of Knoxville, which makes it an easy day trip or the start of a longer stay.
Which scenic routes are available?
You can tour the rolling back roads, plan a trip on the White Lightning Trail along Thunder Road, or follow National Geographic’s map of East Tennessee Rivers and Byways.
How do I reach Braden?
Take the ferry to the community of Braden, which makes the journey part of the adventure.
Can I eat at the marinas if I arrive by car?
Yes. The marinas can be reached by water or by car, so you can dine there either way.
Take the long way
The best way to know a place is to travel through it slowly. Union County gives you every reason to do so, with its back roads, its ferry, its marinas and its stories. Choose a route, fill a cooler, leave time for detours and see where the day takes you. You may find that the journey itself becomes the reason you decide to come back.
Union County Chamber of Commerce
1001 Main St, PO Box 848, Maynardville, TN 37807-0848
