Off road in the Smokies?

By April the three one-way unmaintained roads in the national park should be open as long as the mud isn't too bad. (Parson's Branch Road, Rich Mountain RD, and Balsam Mountain Road) These aren't truly offroad but they are gravel with plenty of bumps, climbs, mud, and potholes; they are fun in an Outback. I personally wouldn't hesitate to take a WRX/STi on these roads, I just wouldn't intentionally steer into the potholes as I did in the Outback.

Parson's Branch offers the most exciting driving; it exits from the Cades Cove Loop, you go up and over the mountains and exit on the North Carolina side West of Twentymile. There are a few climbs steep enough that my Uncle needed to back up and get some momentum going to crest in his Escape Hybrid (my '11 Outback 2.5i CVT did fine). You can get some great views of Gregory Bald if the trees aren't completely filled out yet.

Rich Mountain Road also starts in Cades Cove and exits just a bit West of Townsend. It is shorter and easier but still fun.

Balsam Mountain Road is on the East end of Cherokee and the 18 mile loop takes about an hour. You start at a mile high and then have some slight elevation changes - this road is better maintained than the other roads but there are places you will definitely appreciate the Outback's 8.7" of ground clearance. If doing this one in the WRX, go slowly when entering and exiting the many bridges as this is where the trails have eroded the most creating some deep ditches on both ends..

Heading west, Hurricane Creek is a road right off the interstate, I-40. When you see mile marker 8, start looking to your right, it's b/t mile 8 and 7.
Hurricane Creek is really nice for our stock 4Runner, and I'm about to try it out in my 3rd gen OB next weekend! It's really rocky, and you'll have to gauge for yourself. There's no speed on this trail. If you want speed/rally try Max Patch Road. Hurricane Creek: If things get a little too much for you TURN AROUND, it doesn't get better. Take a saw for small fallen brush and be prepared to turn around if a tree's down on the path.
Here's what am I doing: I'm going down Wesley Creek Road off Max Patch Road to get into that area. Wesley will t_bone another road. Right turn takes you back to Max Patch Road. (via what the locals call "Bear Waller." ) Left turn takes you to a locked forest road. Before the forest road, take another left and you'll be on Hurricane Creek. It's easy to figure out, and easy going in this area. Hurricane creek follows a creek the whole way and you go downstream to I-40. If you come from the interstate, you're going upriver and that could be harder. I've never tried it upstream, but I've seen some truck struggle that way.

I've got a great story about Me and buddy that went down Wesley Creek late one night in snow in a "05 OBXT. I will tell you the trip entailed a lot of hiking/hitching and great stories as we met all the locals and became know as the "dumasses that went through Bear Waller" in the snow.

Deals Gap will be awesome. Wayah Road has rocks all along it, and is harder to drive than Deals Gap, IMO.

Cades Cove roads are kinda wierd. They're one way, and if there's a tree down, you get a ticket for turning around.

Hurricane Creek has some really awesome campsites on the creek, too. Usually you won't run into you hiking types, though. It'll be more locals that maybe have business up in the woods.

From suggestions and poking around, I'm going to suggest Balsam Mountain road to pretty much everyone, WRX's and all. Looks like a pretty smooth gravel road.

I'm planning on going to Cade's Cove and taking Parson's branch road. Odds are, the lowered cars with us won't want to try that one... Personally, I would give it a shot with a stock height car, from what I've read of it.

Hurricane Creek just sounds a good time, but I'm probably not going to go on it unless I have a second off-road capable vehicle with me. It'll be pretty early on in spring, and while I love going places cars can't (or at least shouldn't be able to) I don't like getting stuck in them! I carry self-recovery gear (cordless electric chainsaw suitable for branches and small trees, traction mats, shovels, and a winch) when I go on "expedition" but try to use my brain first... I've never needed the winch... but I've used a tow and recovery strap a handful of times for other vehicles. Pretty easy with more than one alone, not so much alone.