Tennessee
Find local adventures, unique places to stay, and local adventure tours in iconic destinations like Great Smoky Mountain National Park and across the state. Hiking, backpacking, biking, rafting, and more.
Top Spots in and near Tennessee
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Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike the Chimney Tops
4.94.03 mi / 1306 ft gainThe Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most visited trails in the Smokies, which is why I recommend going up just before sunset to beat the crowd! During the summer and fall months, it's common to see a hundred people taking in the views on the same trail, but if you scramble on out after hours, y...Read more -
Tallassee, Tennessee
Abrams Falls Trail
4.84.96 mi / 466 ft gainOne of the biggest perks of hiking Abrams Falls is the drive to get there. The trailhead is located approximately 5 miles into the scenic Cades Cove Loop. Cades Cove is an adventure in itself. Keep your eye out for black bears, deer and wild turkey. If you are taking the self guided auto tour, Ab...Read more -
Pikeville, Tennessee
Fall Creek Falls
4.72.76 mi / 781 ft gainFall Creek Falls State Park is sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. The 20,000-acre park is one of the most scenic parks in the country and is the largest recreation area in the state of Tennessee. It is home to a 256-foot waterfall, cascades, gorges, 5 other waterfal...Read more -
Cookeville, Tennessee
Cummins Falls
4.72.79 mi / 518 ft gainCatch the trailhead down to the falls at the parking lot. The trail quickly approaches the rim of the river gorge to provide hikers with a great bird's eye view of the falls. After snapping a few photos of the falls from above, follow the clearly marked trail down to the river's edge. From there,...Read more -
Sequatchie, Tennessee
Foster Falls Loop
4.62.19 mi / 574 ft gainFoster Falls State Park is part of the South Cumberland State Park system. A short 45 minute drive from Chattanooga, Foster Falls boasts a stunning 60 foot waterfall that is worth visiting during any season of the year. The trailhead for this 2 mile hike starts from the Foster Falls parking lot a...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave Bluff
5.010.68 mi / 3543 ft gainThe Alum Cave trailhead is on Newfound Gap Road, 8 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Mt. LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies, and this is an extremely popular hike, so arrive early to get a parking spot and beat the crowds. Starting from the parking lot the trail gently wind...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail
5.04.32 mi / 1010 ft gainFrom the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive approximately 13 miles south on Newfound Gap Road to reach the Newfound Gap Parking Area (it'll be on your left). The parking area is free and there are bathrooms. Follow the Appalachian Trail towards Katahdin, Maine (1972 miles away, woah...Read more -
Rock Island, Tennessee
Twin Falls, Rock Island State Park
4.40.3 mi / 125 ft gainUpon entering Rock Island State Park from the east, the parking area for this trail is located right after the old cotton mill (my friend and I actually ended up getting lost because it is tucked away there quite nicely). The trail that leads to Twin Falls actually starts at the westernmost part ...Read more -
Altamont, Tennessee
Greeter Falls and Blue Hole
4.91.79 mi / 417 ft gainAn easy, yet extremely beautiful and well marked drive leads to a pretty sizable parking lot at the trailhead. There are multiple trails to hike, depending on how much time you have or how long you want to hike. This particular trail makes for a perfect day trip from Nashville, Chattanooga or Kno...Read more -
Sparta, Tennessee
Virgin Falls State Natural Area Loop
5.04.46 mi / 400 ft gainBeginning at the Virgin Falls SNA parking area, the Virgin Falls trail is approximately a 9 mile round trip (excluding any side trails) which will allow you to experience three waterfalls: Big Branch Falls, Big Laurel Falls, and the namesake Virgin Falls. There is a fourth, Sheep Cave Falls, that...Read more -
Sparta, Tennessee
Burgess Falls
4.51.56 mi / 95 ft gainIf you like waterfalls, this hike is for you. Along the way you'll pass by Falling Water Cascades (20 ft), Little Falls ( 30 ft), Middle Falls (80 ft) and finally the main event, Burgess Falls (136 ft). There are a few spots for swimming so bring your suit if it's a warm day. It's an easy hike s...Read more -
Rockwood, Tennessee
Ozone Falls
4.20.35 mi / 43 ft gainThis beautiful, 110-foot waterfall is an easy 15-minute walk from the parking area. Note that the walk down to the falls, although short, is steep and there isn’t a well-marked trail down. It’s more about choosing the path of least resistance. Also, it can get quite busy in the summer time espec...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Grotto Falls Trail
5.01.83 mi / 577 ft gainThis is an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap Trail. There are four stream crossings on your way to the falls as you hike through an idyll, often wildflower-sprinkled landscape. Late spring is best for catching blooms. Once at the waterfall, you can walk behind the cascade of water. This is a ...Read more -
Roan Mountain, Tennessee
Roan Highlands: Carvers Gap to US 19E via Appalachian Trail
5.015.47 mi / 2598 ft gainThe Roan highlands, possibly one of the best sections of the Appalachian Trail, is a section of grassy balds that range from 5000-6000 feet following the A.T. Start at Carvers Gap ( Highway 261 NC / Highway 143 TN) on the TN/NC border. You can either leave a car at Highway 19E or arrange for a s...Read more -
Del Rio, Tennessee
Max Patch Mountain
5.01.51 mi / 315 ft gainMax Patch Mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family (and ...Read more -
Tullahoma, Tennessee
Machine Falls Loop at Short Springs Natural Area
4.84.07 mi / 732 ft gainThe Machine Falls loop at Short Springs Natural Area is a 1.6 mile round trip hike easily followed by white blazes. It is rated moderate difficulty due to the short, steep descent into a gorge where the falls is located. The trail is sparsely trafficked; there are usually quite a few people han...Read more
Camping and Lodging in Tennessee
Celina, Tennessee
Dale Hollow Lake Primitive Camping
Overview
Dale Hollow Lake Primitive Camping is a unique series of 32 locations with a total of over 70 individually designated family cam...
Monroe, Tennessee
Obey River Park
Overview
Obey River Park is a spacious campground located on the shores of Dale Hollow Lake, in the hills of Tennessee. The campground pr...
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Appalachian Clubhouse
Overview
The Appalachian Clubhouse is a historic building constructed in 1934 in the Elkmont Historic District. The structure has been re...
Blountville, Tennessee
Bristol / Kingsport KOA Holiday
Settle into the Bristol/Kingsport KOA, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians. Discover Davy Crockett's birthplace along the Nolich...
Townsend, Tennessee
Cades Cove Campground
Overview
Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures. Popular activit...
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday
Now open all year! Located on the Little Pigeon River in the heart of Pigeon Forge at the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Par...