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.
This multi-tiered waterfall is known as the tallest in the park – a worthwhile reward for the steep and sometimes tricky terrain you'll face on the way up. The popular route to the falls also passes through an impressive old-growth forest, which apparently boasts some of the tallest trees in the par...
Find the trail parking area by following your GPS to “Rutledge Falls Baptist Church”. You will see a small parking area on the side of the road across the street from the church. The path to the falls is extremely short with a steep section to climb down to the base of the falls. This trail is on pr...
Located in the beautiful state park of Fall Creek Falls, you'll find this overlook along with Millikan's Overlook. Both overlooks showcase the views shown in my photos, however, Buzzard's Roost is a short walk down the side trail that gives a more solitude experience that you may be looking for. Thi...
To hit one of the best panoramic views of the Tennessee River Gorge, head into Prentice Cooper State Forest and head straight for Snoopers Rock. This 6,000+ acre protected park is home to over 35 miles of trails, campsites, and so much more. To access Snoopers Rock, you can drive through Prentice Co...
The overlook is easily accessible from a parking circle located off Oswald Road. Follow U.S. Highway from Ocoee, Tennessee for 8 miles then turn left onto Oswald Road. Follow Oswald Road for 2.5 miles until you encounter the overlook on your left. The overlook will be clearly marked with signage. Th...
Tip Top rests on one of the highest points of Buffalo Mountain. The overlook features tree coverage perfect for hammocking and benches while providing views of Downtown Johnson City as well as the other side of the mountain range. The hike from the trailhead to Tip Top is moderately steep. The trail...
The White Rock trailhead is less than a 10 minute drive from downtown Johnson City. When pulling up Highbridge Road, take a left at the fork. You will shortly encounter a vehicle gate where you will park to the side of the road (do not block the yellow vehicle gate). You have the option to walk up t...
From the Savage Ranger Station, take the Savage Day Loop for roughly 2.2 miles until you reach the junction. From there take the North Plateau trail and return on the North Rim trail. The elevation gain on this trail is rather gradual and and subtle, but it is a long trek that requires endurance and...
Raccoon Mountain is an extensive, yet newer system of singletrack that circle the TVA Raccoon Mountain pumped storage facility, just 15 minutes east of downtown. The 30 miles of trails primarily span from intermediate to advanced levels, but a few beginner friendly routes can be found as well. Grab ...
Located in Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, Point Park is a ten acre memorial park that overlooks the Lookout Mountain Battlefield and the city of Chattanooga. There is a paved walking path around the park that takes visitors by several historic tablets, monuments, confederate a...
The trail begins on the right side of the parking lot. The first part is flat with no elevation change and easy walking. About half a mile in you will reach a trail split. The right trail will take you to the falls and the left trail will take you to an overlook of the gorge below. I was not able to...
Unaka Mountain Overlook is one of the highest locations in the Cherokee National Forest. Easily accessibly by vehicle, the overlook towers over the surrounding mountains, including Beauty Spot Gap , and is an ideal spot to camp overnight. Take Rock Creek Road until you meet the border of North Carol...
Great short hike. Hard to find trail head, it is not marked at the parking area or where you leave the road. Put in your gps the coordinate spot tagged above off Clara Point Rd. To get to the trailhead, you have to cross the road from small parking area and go back 20 - 30 yards, where you will find...
Newfound Gap is a mountain pass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Newfound Gap is accessible via U.S. Route 441 from Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC. You can watch the sunrise from the parking lot at Newfound Gap or the viewing platform adjacent to the parking lot. At sunrise, layers of pink an...
Foster Falls will suit any climber. A novice climber can find routes here, and an expert can find new and exciting projects. There are a few camping sites near the climbing area. Father Adams which is a primitive spot, and Foster Falls campground which has a shower and toilets (around $16 a night), ...
Getting to the trailhead can be a challenge if there has been any heavy precipitation or icy conditions due to the fact the last two miles are one mile of broken pavement and the last mile a dirt road. You should be fine in good conditions in any car; however, just make sure to take it easy on the d...