Monroe County tourism gearing up for busy season as visitors hit the Cherohala Skyway

by: Naomi Hillmer

Posted: Apr 23, 2026 / 12:15 PM EDT

TELLICO PLAINS, Tenn. (WATE)  — The Cherohala Skyway in Monroe County is gearing up for one of its busiest times of the year.

The 43-mile road connecting Tennessee to North Carolina sees around 10 million people pass through each year, and the Monroe County Department of Tourism said summer travel is growing in popularity.  

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“You get all the smells, you get all the feels, the temperature changes, I mean, you can ride 20 feet and have a 5 or 10 degree temperature change just instantly. It’s just awesome, there’s no way to describe it,” said Michael Bunner, who was visiting the area on his motorcycle.   

He said it is the windy roads that attract motorcyclists like him to the Skyway, and Blaina Best, the Monroe County Director of Tourism, said they are seeing more people traveling up the road.  

“Annually, Monroe County welcomes 10 million visitors, and a lot of those are headed right here up into the mountains to enjoy camping and outdoor recreation,” said Best. “We actually have what we call a ‘war’ going on between summer and fall, because they kind of flip-flop on the amount of visitors we see. So typically, historically, fall was the time of year to visit Monroe County, but this last year, summer took over.”  

Whether you choose to go by motorcycle or by car, those visiting the area say the Cherohala Skyway is one of the most scenic routes through the Smoky Mountains, and some get to experience it in their own backyard.  

“The hiking, biking, Cherohala Skyway, it’s all gorgeous, it’s all good,” said residents Corky Freeman and Donna Peltzer.  

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It is locals like them, Bunner said, that have brought him back here each time.  

“I think the people are much friendlier here, too,” he said. “It’s nice, we feel welcomed, you know, a lot of places that we ride, everybody turns their nose down to a biker out here on the road, but not here.”  

Best added the Cherohala Skyway is the first scenic byway in Tennessee, and one of the nation’s oldest, opening nearly three decades ago.