When the going gets tough, it's best to get on out into nature. Luckily for the folks of Tennessee, beautiful, lush natural spaces are available all over the Volunteer State. There's nothing more fun than tromping alongside rushing rivers, or perhaps climbing your way up craggy mountains towards stunning, expansive views. The Tennessee River Gorge is a popular spot for locals and tourists to visit and is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state. Check it out below!
The Tennessee River Gorge is known as "Tennessee's Grand Canyon," and it's famous for being the only large river canyon that borders a fairly mid-sized city. Chattanooga, that is.
The gorge itself covers over 27,000 acres atop the Cumberland Plateau. The lush natural area also provides a beautiful home for more than a thousand varieties of botanical life.
The Gorge is a popular spot for hikers, naturalists and bird watchers alike. There are campsites in the vicinity and all sorts of opportunities for observation and learning.
Protected by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, a conservation nonprofit organization, the area remains one of the most beautiful and best kept secrets in the state.
Have you been? Will you be visiting? Make sure to pop by if you're ever in southern Tennessee or the greater Chattanooga area. This is one natural beauty you won't want to miss.
The Most Remote Lake In Tennessee Is Also The Most Peaceful
Chilhowee Lake in Tennessee offers a peaceful and remote spot for kayaking, fishing, and hiking, nestled between the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
We love that we have so many remote areas in Tennessee’s expansive wilderness, mainly because the state government has done quite a bit of work preserving the beauty of our local forest resources. You will find myriad places to take a dip, hike through the mountains, or simply observe the beauty of the state’s local wildlife. Chilhowee Lake in Tennessee is located a solid 40 miles south of Knoxville, and it is perhaps one of the least-known and most remote places to enjoy an afternoon outside. If you’re seeking a quiet spot for a peaceful kayaking trip or hike, then this most remote lake in Tennessee may be just what the doctor ordered. Some folks have said it’s the best lake in Tennessee, and we can’t disagree.
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Chilhowee Lake in Tennessee is a quiet and peaceful body of water along the state's eastern edge.
It provides a natural boundary between the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The man-made reservoir is shallow and a mere 10 miles in its entirety, narrow and twisting.
The reservoir was created after the impounding of the Little Tennessee River in 1957.
The resulting Tennessee lake has become a fisherman's dream, with largemouth bass, crappie, trout, and walleye making up just a small percentage of the lake's fish population. Trout are also stocked annually.
You can utilize one of three public boat ramps, and if you're a paddler, you should check out the Chota Memorial Site.
It is an honorary memorial that recognizes the seven local Cherokee clans and their national importance. You can also paddle down to nearby Abrams Creek.
There are not many lodging opportunities in the area, though you can take advantage of nearby campgrounds.
Robbinsville, North Carolina is perhaps the closest spot to find more modern lodgings. Otherwise, expect a little bit of dirt and a whole lot of fun as you enjoy primitive camping and explore the 1,747-acre reservoir.
If you're in the Knoxville region, you may want to plan a trip to this hidden gem!
Make sure you pack the necessary requirements for a safe day out in the sun and get ready to make some sweet memories on one of the best lakes in Tennessee! REI has great options for sunscreen, including Sun Bum, which we highly recommend.
A tropical paradise in Tennessee? We know what you're thinking. When you think of a "Caribbean paradise," we have a feeling that Tennessee isn't the first spot to come to mind, and that's okay. We're a landlocked state that's chock full of streams and rivers and valleys, but when it comes to oceans we come up short every time. Still, the Caribbean doesn't have to just be a beach and an ocean. It's a state of mind. These 10 places will put you at ease during the heat of the summer, and they'll give you a chance to relax and unplug either in nature or the rollicking fun of a waterpark.
Cummins Falls is a family favorite for folks who make their home in the middle of the state. This place has a massive wow factor and talk about paradise in Tennessee. It's a quick hike into the wilderness to a gorgeous swimming hole that's a picture-perfect, scenic oasis in Tennessee, and it's great for people of all ages. Be careful on the rocks, though - they're slippery.
Center Hill Lake is perfect for camping and cabin rentals, but it's also roughly 18,200 acres of gorgeous outdoors that make for a great weekend spent hiking, boating, and fishing. Summer in Tennessee is all about getting to the lakes, rivers, and streams, and this body of water is definitely a good one.
Nashville Shores is a local water park that's in Hermitage, Tennessee. You can come for the aqua park itself or rent a lake view cabin, but the marina and beautiful RV sites make this a highly affordable spot for vacation. Not only is it one of the biggest aqua parks in the state, but the bright colors and beachy vibes make this one of the ultimate paradises for some Tennessee summer fun.
You can find Cherokee Lake out near Jefferson City, which is on the eastern side of the state. It's great for boaters and picnickers alike, and don't forget to bring your tent because primitive campsites are available in spades.
Also known as "The Grand Canyon of Tennessee," this lovely slice of paradise in Tennessee is located just 30 miles from Chattanooga and boasts 215 miles of shoreline. You can visit, camp, and hike around the area in Guild, Tennessee.
Gatlinburg can be touristy, but sometimes touristy is good - you know exactly what you're going to experience and it's bound to be safe and lightly regulated. Wild Bear Falls Water Park is located indoors and offers a fun experience for kids of all ages, which means all you parents out there can tire out the tykes rain or shine.
A hidden oasis in Tennessee, Lost Creek Falls is located in Sparta and offers a magical peek into the truly beautiful underbelly of the Volunteer State. The remote area is great for experienced hikers, and even the mere beginners will find the gorgeous waterfall view worth the exertion.
This Chattanooga favorite is actually located in Rossville, Georgia, but so many folks think it's in Tennessee we decided to give our neighboring state a bit of love. The waterpark has been around since 1925, and offers a vintage look at pure southern summer fun.
Watts Bar Lake is actually one of the largest lakes in the American southern region, and its Kingston location offers over 700 miles of shoreline to enjoy. You can swim during the day and rent a cabin to sleep in at night, rounding out your sweet summertime experience.
Perhaps one of the most popular lakes in Tennessee, Chickamauga Lake is perfect for water skiing and swimming, while many prefer to grab their rod and reel and or make their way to the Dayton location to spend the day fishing. Either way, the lake makes for a great weekend spent amongst friends and family, attracting hundreds of thousands of guests on an annual basis.
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What do you think of paradise in Tennessee now? We might not have white sand beaches, but I prefer the mountains and lakes anyway. So now it's time to get outside and enjoy these lovely spots in the Volunteer State.
To make the most of your Tennessee summer, why not invest in a kayak so you can take advantage of some of the best lakes and rivers in our state? For more outdoor adventures, plan a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. Learn more about it with this OnlyInYourState video:
