The Tennessee Trail With A River Walk, Park, And A Historic Village You Just Can't Beat

As a fan of both history and outdoor recreation, when I find a place that combines the two, it’s always a winning combination. The Patriots Path Trail at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton, Tennessee, is one such winner. With a beautifully scenic area to explore and a fascinating story that puts you right in the heart of the action, this is one of the best places to hike in East Tennessee. We have lots of epic hikes you can do within the mountains, but if you are looking for a pleasant stroll with sprinkle of history, this historic park is perfect for you. 

Matthew Robinson/ Alltrails

The fun begins before you take off down the trail: this park boasts a pool, picnic tables, and pickle ball courts for plenty of recreational activities! But if you take the Patriots Path Trail, you can get right into the woods. With plenty of tree cover, you will pass a small workout area, benches, and even a stump made into a chair along the way (we like to think of it as a throne). There is certainly a lot to do and see for such a short little trail.

Adam Baker/ Alltrails

There is a section where the river picks up and the current churns around the rocks, creating an swirling water flow that's fun to just sit and watch. Every time I have been, I have also witnessed people in rowboat traversing the turbulent waters, which makes for an interesting way to spend the afternoon!

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Jennifer Cogar/ Alltrails

Find your way to one of the benches, park yourself on an overhanging tree, or just stand and watch in awe at this amazing part of Tennessee. You will get the opportunity along the way to cross a couple of bridges, and you can work your way down to the water to feel the cool mountain water flowing to Boone Lake.

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Angela Donner/ Alltrails

This lush garden is filled with all sorts of different flowers and one of them is the perfect habitat for monarch butterflies. The milkweed attracts these amazing butterflies, and you can also just sit and watch these creatures flutter from plant to plant. Not only that, but the colorful array of flowers is a visual feast that serves as a lovely detour to your walk.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park/ Facebook

As you head back to the trailhead, you will notice a small historic village just waiting to be explored. This is Fort Watauga and it stands as a replica of the early pioneers in Tennessee and their efforts to settle the land. The story of their life is certainly a thrilling and exciting tale, but I will leave that story to be told when you visit yourself. So when you visit, make sure you walk around the enclosed settlement and explore the buildings, which you can even walk in and see what life was like for those living here in the 1700s.

Audrey Neymeyer/ Alltrails

Right in front of the fort, you will find a building that houses a small but informative museum recounting the story of this historically important settlement. After doing this myself, I would suggest going to the museum first and then going for a walk because the historical significance puts everything else into perspective.

Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton, Tennessee, is one of those amazing little local parks that tells a story and has a beautiful backdrop. Walking the path down to the water and watching the current pick up over the rocks, meandering through the garden as the butterflies float about, and visiting a historic village really can be a great way to spend the afternoon. For more information, please visit the Sycamore Shores Historic Park website, and keep an eye out for when they do reenactments. 

And if you’d like a sneak peek of what to expect on this adventure, make sure to check out this video from Adventuring in the Moment to see more of this wonderful trail and park: