Tennessee

Looking for the best hiking in Tennessee? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Tennessee. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Tennessee

  • Kingsport, Tennessee

    Bay's Mountain Firetower

    4.8
    3.67 mi / 768 ft gain
    Bay's Mountain Firetower overlooks the city of Kingsport, the South Fork Holston River, and the surrounding Tennessee mountains. Part of Bay's Mountain State Park, this is the most popular hike of the 25 miles of trails. The hike to the fire tower passes the Kingsport Reservoir which is essential...
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  • Benton, Tennessee

    Hike to Benton Falls

    5.0
    3.2 mi / 318 ft gain
    Start this hike from the parking lot of the Chilhowee Day Use Area (here you must remember to bring $3 cash to pay the day use fee). To begin, walk along the path to the left of the facilities until you come to the trailhead.  Start here continuing along the left-side of the lake. After passing t...
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  • Corryton, Tennessee

    Hike House Mountain, TN

    5.0
    3 mi
    House Mountain is a short, at times strenuous hike that is doable in all weather conditions. Going at different times of year can be a treat due to the unique beauty of each season adding some spice to this quick trip. There are 5-7 switchbacks to push through, but the view atop House Mountain am...
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  • Burns, Tennessee

    Backcountry Camp at the Wildcat Shelter

    2.8 mi
    Start this adventure by retrieving your backcountry camping permit from the park office. There is no option to reserve a campsite online, so give the staff a call and they'll have it ready upon your arrival. From the office, turn left as if you're exiting the park. Before exiting, turn right into...
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  • Scenic Loop Road, Tennessee

    Base of Fall Creek Falls

    5.0
    0.86 mi / 194 ft gain
    Fall Creek Falls State Park hosts a variety of large waterfalls which can easily become confusing. The park's main attraction is the 256 foot waterfall dubbed "Fall Creek Falls." Fall Creek Falls is observable from a viewing platform less than a five minute walk from the Scenic Loop Road parking ...
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  • Cosby, Tennessee

    Maddron Bald - Albright Grove Loop

    6.72 mi / 1670 ft gain
    Hidden in the eastern reaches of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cosby region receives a fraction of the visitation of Gatlinburg or Cherokee. This section of the park preserves some of the best deciduous old-growth forest in the eastern United States. Individual tulip trees and eastern ...
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  • Vonore, Tennessee

    Camp at Citico Creek

    5.0
    There are a few options for getting to Citico Creek, you can either go up the windy gravel road from US 411 or get off of the Cherohala Skyway and go down the mountain past the Indian Boundary campground. The Citico Creek campground has about 5 or 6 spots but is rarely full because it is very sec...
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  • Elizabethton, Tennessee

    Climb at Blue Hole Falls

    3.7
    0.1 mi / 0 ft gain
    From TN 91, turn onto Panhandle Road. Follow Panhandle for 1 mile and park in the parking lot to the left.  Waterfall Follow the path to your right downwards until you encounter wooden stairs. The main waterfall will be to your right less than .1 mile from the parking lot. There are two other wat...
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  • Wartburg, Tennessee

    Potter's Falls

    5.0
    0.1 mi / 50 ft gain
    Potter's Falls is a semi locally known area that is used for lots of different activities. To get there the roads are pretty simple and easy to follow the directions. The parking can be a bit tricky especially if its during the summer or extreme cold in the winter. There are only about 15 spots o...
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  • Tallassee, Tennessee

    Look Rock Tower

    4.8
    0.79 mi / 194 ft gain
    Look Rock tower has spectacular views and is a great hike to enjoy year round. The tower is an old fire tower used for spotting smoke in the valley. Because of this the tower is placed on the highest ridge around making for some amazing views. The only way to get to the tower is along the Foothil...
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  • Mount Pleasant, Tennessee

    Rattlesnake Falls (CLOSED)

    3.7
    1.4 mi / 256 ft gain
    IMPORTANT NOTICE: This trail is on private property and is now closed to the public. Do not access this waterfall unless you have the owner's permission. Rattlesnake Falls is a scenic waterfall near Mount Pleasant, Tennessee that features a beautiful cascade and is known for turtles basking on t...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Red Fork Falls Trail

    3.5
    0.68 mi / 190 ft gain
    Red Fork Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Unicoi, Tennessee.
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  • Erwin, Tennessee

    Martin's Creek Falls

    3.0
    2.06 mi / 522 ft gain
    Martin's Creek Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Erwin, Tennessee.
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  • Oak Ridge, Tennessee

    Hike to North Boundary Quarry

    5.0
    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    The parking at the trailhead is right off of the Oak Ridge turnpike so its very easy to park and there are plenty of spots to park. The trail is very wide and is a great place for taking kids and riding your bike. There are more than one trail that you can take to get to the quarry from the trail...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Mount LeConte Lodge via the Boulevard Trail

    15.95 mi / 3182 ft gain
    Begin your adventure by arriving at the Newfound Gap parking lot - before first light. Why? Because you won't want to miss the incredible sunrise from the parking lot - even before you step foot on the trail! It is said that a hiker will never get overly warm hiking the Boulevard to Leconte due ...
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  • Pocahontas, Tennessee

    Hike the Dismal Swamp Loop

    3.8 mi / 400 ft gain
    Civil War history buffs may find themselves near the tiny town of Shiloh, Tennessee. While in the area be sure to explore Big Hill Pond State Park, in nearby Pocahontas, and hike Dismal Swamp. After a night at the park's campground I drove a couple of miles on well-graded gravel road to the trail...
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