Not at all, saw many an SUV and we did it in a Hyundai Santa Fe.

Yes...the one way drive takes you past beautiful scenery. There are many short bridges that you cross that give you amazing views of the stream. I often stop on the bridge, if no one is driving behind me, and snap a few pictures. There is a booklet that cost around $1.00 that describes the different markers along the route. I would get it at Sugarland Visitor Center but they sometimes have the booklet at the very start of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It would be in the self serve box. At the end of the one way drive, is Ely's Mill. It is a nice spot to stop. I believe they have restrooms too. Then you follow the 2 way traffic road to hwy 321. A left turn heads you back toward downtown Gatlinburg. I do not know if the booklet is online but you could always check and see if you can download one. Have a nice trip

Hi, unfortunately the trail is closed during the winter months because it would be too dangerous. They also close for the animals and to do maintenance as needed. I believe it re-opens in April give or take pending on weather. Try looking up Seasonal Road schedules for GSM. Have a great time on your trip, there are plenty of other great places to explore and see the wildlife.

No need for a 4 wheel drive. Sedan will be fine

It is a very narrow road with trees and large rocks on the roadside but the real problem...the trailhead for Grotto Falls. When the trailhead parking gets full, people park along the narrow road leaving very little space to get by. I have a Camry and find it to be a tight squeeze to get through this section of the one way road.

I would not recommend it. Some areas are quite narrow and the road is lined with cars at the trail for Grotto Falls when the parking lot is full which makes the narrow road even more narrow. The parking lot is full/overflowing on most days.

Hi, it's quite narrow so I suspect not.

There were public bathrooms at the beginning of the trail. May want to check with the park rangers to make sure they are not closed due to construction.

Mynatt Park is your best bet if you want to stay in Gatlinburg near the RFMNT. Turn at traffic light #8/Historic Nature Trail. At stop sign, make a slight right turn. The park is a very short distance on the right. There is a river in the park. After your picnic, you can continue down the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail entrance which is to the right just past the Rainbow Falls trailhead. RFMNT is one way. If you want to go into the park, Chimney Tops Picnic area is just a few miles from Gatlinburg on hwy 441/Newfound Gap Road. It will be on the right and there is parking by each picnic table. Very shaded picnic ground along the river. Chimneys will be out of the way for RFMNT but is worth the extra 15-20 minutes.

Go early in the day to avoid the crowds and traffic.