Unleash Your Inner Outlaw.

Deep beneath the emerald embrace of these Appalachian hills whispers a hidden history, a legend of moonshine runs and roaring engines. Are you ready to carve your own legend on the asphalt tapestry of the Bootleggers & Burnouts Trail?

This ain’t your mama’s scenic drive – it’s a heart-pounding journey through time, where history meets horsepower and every twist and turn promises an unforgettable tale. So, buckle up, dust off your thirst for adventure, and prepare to unleash the outlaw spirit within. The Bootleggers & Burnouts Trail awaits, beckoning you to write your own chapter in the wild and untamed story of Northeast Tennessee. Let the legends guide you, adrenaline fuel you, and let the adventure begin!

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway

City: Bristol
Address: 151 Speedway Blvd. Bristol, TN  37620
Bristol Motor Speedway is one of NASCAR’s most iconic and popular race tracks playing host to two of the sport’s biggest races in Spring and Fall. Various other events take place at the .533-mile oval, including The Pinnacle Speedway In Lights each holiday season, car and sporting events, and Country Thunder.

*BONUS: Downtown Mural
Local artist and musician Tim White painted a mural in honor of some of the most famous NASCAR legends along the iconic State Street.  The Mural is a popular location for photos and is the background for various outdoor concerts every year.

Tennessee Hills

Tennessee Hills

Cities: Jonesborough, Johnson City, Bristol
Addresses:
127 Fox St, Jonesborough, TN 37659
458 West Walnut Street, Johnson City, TN 37604
90 Tennessee Hills Way, Bristol, TN 37620

Tennessee Hills is renowned for its artisanal spirits, including whiskey, rum, and vodka, each crafted with locally sourced ingredients. With its commitment to preserving local heritage and dedication to producing high-quality spirits, Tennessee Hills Distillery stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Appalachian craftsmanship. 

Lost State Distilling

Lost State Distilling

City: Bristol
Address: 200 State St., Bristol, TN 37620

Lost State Distilling is a family-owned craft distillery located in Downtown Bristol. This award-winning distillery produces small-batch gin, rum, Tennessee whiskey, and canned cocktails. It also features a tasting room that is open year-round, and tours of the distillery are available daily.

 

 

Bond-O to Burgers

Bond-O to Burgers

City: Blountville
Address: 3500 TN-126, Blountville, TN 37617

Located inside a former auto repair garage, you won’t find any better southern style homecooking. Bond-O To Burgers serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with daily specials and homemade desserts. In addition to the restaurant, there is a connected gift shop and ice cream parlor. During the summer, you’ll also find outdoor seating, music, and cornhole.

 

Kingsport Speedway

Kingsport Speedway

City: Kingsport
Address: 2961 N John B Dennis Hwy, Kingsport, TN 37660

Nicknamed “The Concrete Jungle,” Kingsport Speedway is the only NASCAR Weekly Series track in the Tri-Cities and in the state of Tennessee. With multiple classes racing on a tight 3/8-mile concrete oval, you are guaranteed to see exciting paint-trading, fender-rubbing short track action. The track even hosted the NASCAR Cup Series from 1969-71 where Hall of Fame drivers Richard Petty and Bobby Isaac were winners. Other legendary champions like Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison and current star Joey Logano have raced here.

Hook & Ladder Distillery

Hover Box Element

City: Kingsport

Address:316 Broad St #100, Kingsport, TN 37660

Hook & Ladder Distillery is a family-owned and firefighter-operated craft distillery located at 316 Broad Street #100 in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. Founded by the father-and-son duo Kenneth and Drew Draper, the establishment honors the firefighting community through its fire-rescue-themed decor and branding. They specialize in small-batch, oat-based moonshines available in unique flavors like salted caramel and orange creamsicle, alongside private reserve whiskeys, spiced rum, and First Alarm Vodka. Visitors to the distillery can experience free spirit tastings, browse branded merchandise, and learn about their traditional distilling process.

King City Distillery

Hover Box Element

City: Kingsport

Address: 215 Commerce St Ste 100

King City Distillery is a local, small-batch craft spirits producer located at 215 Commerce Street Suite 100 in the historic downtown area of Kingsport, Tennessee. Established in 2021 by three co-owners, the business serves as an ode to the culture and heritage of northeast Tennessee. They specialize in creating high-quality liquors and moonshines crafted from carefully selected heritage corn and locally sourced grains. Visitors to their tasting room can sample a wide variety of unique and gourmet flavors, including Clear, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon, Pickle, Peach, Blackberry, and Salted Watermelon

Ace Custom Copper & Flaming Aces Distillery

Ace Custom Copper

City: Elizabethton
Address: 783 Hwy 91 Suite 1, Elizabethton, TN  37643
Ace Custom Copper is a small US Army Veteran owned and operated business focused on designing and building high quality items that are fully functional hand-crafted works of art. You’ll find a variety of moonshine-inspired products including candy, jars, tumblers, knives, and apparel. You can even have a custom moonshine still made. Growing up in the Millers Creek area of  Wilkes County North Carolina, Moonshine has been part of of this family’s heritage for generations.

Copperhead Road

Copperhead Road

Nearby City: Mountain City
Address: 6952 Big Dry Run, Butler TN 37640
An homage to the popular song by Steve Earle that memorializes a notorious part of Johnson County history, the Copperhead Road Landmark will feature a 1949 Dodge depicting a mural especially curated by Tim White. The landmark, located at the Watauga Lake Winery property, features a moonshine runner car and is the perfect photo opp. The Copperhead Road Music Fest takes place Memorial Day Weekend.

Greasy Cove Racetrack

Greasy Cove Racetrack

City: Erwin

Address: 36.124076, -82.440936

Unicoi County was the first stop over the mountains from North Carolina. In 1788, this site was where the young future President, Andrew Jackson, challenged local resident, Col.Robert Love, to a horse race to determine whose horse was the fastest in the land. The legendary race at Greasy Cove is memorialized in the county with a historic marker. By the way, Colonel Love’s horse won that race.

Jonesborough Visitors Center

Jonesborough Visitor Center

City: Jonesborough

Address: 117 Boone St. Jonesborough, TN  37659

The Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center  serves as the official welcome center for Tennessee’s Oldest Town. In addition to providing information on local attractions, the center also houses a gift shop,  which features a selection of local artisan goods, moonshine jelly and books on Appalachian history an bootlegging.

City Garage Car Museum

City Garage Car Museum

City: Greeneville

Address: 210 S Main St, Greeneville, TN 37743

Inside, you’ll be captivated by a meticulously curated collection of vintage and classic cars, each with its own story to tell. From sleek muscle cars to elegant pre-war cruisers, you can admire the stunning craftsmanship and design that defined generations of automotive history.

Volunteer Speedway

Volunteer Speedway

City: Bulls Gap
Address: 14095 W Andrew Johnson Hwy, Bulls Gap, TN 37711

Get ready for heart-pounding, high-speed action at Volunteer Speedway, a legendary dirt track located in Bulls Gap, Tennessee. Known affectionately as “The Gap” and “The World’s Fastest Dirt Track,” this high-banked, 4/10-mile clay oval is a must-see for any racing fan.

 

Mahala Mullins Cabin

Mahala Mullins Cabin

City: Sneedville

Address: 36.578269999833736, -83.18163716488344

Mahala Mullins was a larger-than-life figure, a woman of extraordinary size who was unable to walk, yet became a central figure in the local moonshine trade. From this very cabin, she ran a thriving—and illegal—operation that became famous far and wide. The cabin stands today as a testament to her unique story and the rugged, independent spirit of the Appalachian people.

Cheers to Responsibility!

Note: Point of interest images on this Trail are not to be interpreted as actual locations. They are cartoons. We’ve left the wonderment up to you to create your own adventure!

The Bootleggers & Burnouts Trail celebrates the spirit of adventure, but safety is always our top priority. That includes enjoying yourself responsibly when it comes to alcohol. Here’s a friendly reminder:

Sip Smart:

Pace yourself: Savor your drinks, don’t rush them.

Know your limits: Everyone handles alcohol differently, listen to your body.

Eat food: Food slows down alcohol absorption and helps you stay energized.

Alternate non-alcoholic drinks: Stay hydrated and mix it up.

Plan ahead: Arrange a designated driver or ride-sharing service before you start drinking.

Remember:

Drinking and driving is never okay. Choose a safe ride home, every time.

Be respectful: Responsible drinking means being mindful of others and your surroundings.

Have fun: That’s what it’s all about! But do it responsibly, so you can create memories that last.

Cheers to a safe and enjoyable experience on the Bootleggers & Burnouts Trail!

Where is Northeast TN?

WHERE IS NORTHEAST TENNESSEE?

Northeast Tennessee borders North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains. With 230 miles of internationally known rivers and 288 miles of the Appalachian Trail, it’s the true outdoors with endless opportunities to explore and less time sitting in traffic. Northeast Tennessee’s Tri-Cities of Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City and small towns along the way make up a diverse region of outdoor recreation, music, history and everything in between.

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