It is the primary road in and out of Scott State Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, where it is known as Leatherwood Ford Road.

It winds its way east through farmland as Leatherwood Ford Road, a two-lane highway, to enter wooded areas and Scott State Forest before crossing into Scott County and East Tennessee.

[2][3] SR 297 then becomes curvy as it passes through Scott State Forest before entering the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and crossing the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River.

SR 297 then becomes concurrent with US 27/SR 29 and they then head south and widen to a four-lane undivided highway and pass through a business district before leaving Oneida.

The highway then enters some mountainous terrain before crossing into Campbell County.