Tennessee Past the Smokies

Keep away from the nationwide park crowds and discover these underrated gems within the Volunteer State

The Nice Smoky Mountains are well-liked for a motive. The vary options one of the vital beautiful stretches of Appalachia with massive alternatives for journey. But it surely additionally attracts massive crowds. Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park is essentially the most visited within the nation, and guests additionally flock to close by vacationer cities Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. However Tennessee additionally has loads of terrain much less traveled. That will help you discover it, an area adventurer shares her favourite spots.

CAMP

Martha Sundquist State Forest

Nestled near the Tennessee-North Carolina border and just some miles from the northern finish of the Smokies is a hidden pure gem of mature mountain and cove hardwoods excellent for household tenting and mountain climbing. The two,000 acres that comprise the Martha Sundquist State Forest have accessible, well-maintained campsites obtainable on a first-come first-serve foundation. For an immersive pure expertise in the one Tennessee state forest within the Blue Ridge area, arrange camp by the water and hike the Tennessee Gulf Path, a simple 3.5-mile footpath within the forest. 

Frozen Head State Park & Pure Space 

One of the scenic areas within the Tennessee State Parks system, Frozen Head is a tenting fanatic’s dream spot. There are 20 primitive campsites with entry to over 50 miles of pristine, unspoiled mountain trails that lead you to gorges, rock outcrops, watering holes, and a fireplace tower with views so far as the Smokies. For a backcountry expertise, pitch your tent at one of many 9 websites unfold across the 24,000 acres that make up the park. Reservations are required.

HIKE

The Cumberland Path

The Cumberland Path shall be on the radar of many long-distance hikers when full, extending about 300 miles from its northern terminus in Cumberland Hole Nationwide Historic Park in Kentucky to its southern terminus on the Chickamauga-Chattanooga Nationwide Navy Park positioned simply outdoors Chattanooga. The scenic footpath follows a line of excessive ridges and deep gorges alongside or close to the rugged, jap fringe of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau. The path is wild and generally very distant, with entry factors to well-liked spots that permit for day mountain climbing alternatives like no different within the state. Scenic views, waterfalls, landscapes, gorges, wildlife, and extensively various flora are plentiful, and the crowds? Nonexistent.

Honey Creek Loop Path

Lush and tropical, the Honey Creek Loop is an other-worldly path deep within the Large South Fork State Nationwide River & Recreation Space. In simply 4.5 miles with lower than 1,000 ft of elevation acquire, you’ll query whether or not you’re actually in Tennessee if you hike via sheer rock partitions, traverse via flowing water canyons, and enter and exit the woods close to the river. 

BY THE WATER

Kayak to the bottom of Burgess Falls

The Burgess Falls is a cascade waterfall on the Falling Water River positioned inside Burgess Falls State Park in center Tennessee. The waterfall spills roughly 130 ft into a big limestone gorge enclosed by sheer 100-200-foot partitions. Whereas mountain climbing to the falls is a good expertise, there’s no higher strategy to actually seize its magic than by paddling straight to the bottom of the waterfall. If you happen to don’t have your individual gear, you’ll be able to lease or go on a guided kayaking expertise with Cumberland Kayak and Journey Firm. From their meetup level, it’s a simple drive to the Cane Hole Recreation Space, the place the straightforward flatwater paddle to the falls begins.

MOUNTAIN BIKE

Paint Mountain

Paint Mountain is house to a number of the most distant mountain biking trails in Tennessee. You’ll be able to entry well-known spots on the paths, together with the well-known horseshoe viewpoint of the French Broad River, via singletrack or gravel roads as much as the Lone Pine Hole and Paint Rock trailheads. Both approach, be ready for lots of climbing, unbelievable views, and a number of the finest technical backcountry downhills within the state.

Knoxville’s City Wilderness

Fifteen years in the past the out of doors scene in Knoxville was primarily farmland on the outskirts of city, however at the moment the house base of the College of Tennessee Volunteers is a thriving journey hub for anybody who enjoys spending time mountain climbing, operating, paddling, swimming, or biking. Knoxville’s City Wilderness is a mountain biker’s dream vacation spot, with the whole lot from quick and flowy trails in Baker Creek Protect to old-school downhill or cross-country trails within the William Hastie Pure Space. The community of over 60 miles of trails has one thing for riders of all talents. Try the AMBC web site to assessment path situations earlier than planning a journey. 

Cowl picture: Kayaking to Burgess Falls. Photograph by the creator.