Toyota of Kingsport

Feb 22, 2018

Whether you’re living or vacationing in Tennessee, you should know that the state is home to some of the most awe-inspiring natural sites in the country. Besides offering excellent opportunities for the admiration of nature and photography, these sites also allow you to indulge in a wide range of outdoor activities. Here are four natural attractions you should visit while you’re in Tennessee.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Located at the Tennessee-North Carolina border, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws more visitors than any other national park in the U.S. Tourists from all over the world go there to see its famous blue haze covering the mountains, enjoy pristine mountain views, and perform a variety of outdoor activities.

One of the highlights of the national park is Clingmans Dome. Rising to a height of 6,643 feet, it’s the highest mountain in Tennessee. There’s an observation tower at the top of the mountain that offers an incredible 360-degree view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Besides the usual hiking, biking, and fishing, you can also do horseback riding, rafting, and zip lining at the park.

Snoopers Rock

Snoopers Rock is situated about half an hour’s drive from Chattanooga in the beautiful Prentice Cooper State Forest. Also known as the “Horseshoe Bend of Tennessee,” this well-known overlook offers stunning views of the Tennessee River Gorge. If you wish to do some hiking, you can access the park’s six-mile loop at the Cumberland Trail Head. You can also reach the overlook by car. After driving a few miles on the gravel road, you’ll arrive at a parking area that’s just a few steps away from the overlook.

Craighead Caverns

Located about four miles northwest of Madisonville, Craighead Caverns is home to the nation’s largest underground lake. Also called the Lost Sea, this natural wonder has a storied past. It was a saltpeter mining site for the confederate soldiers during the American Civil War and a mushroom farm in the 1940s.

Today, the caverns are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and have become one of the most popular natural attractions in Tennessee. While you’re there, you can explore the caves and enjoy a relaxing ride on a glass-bottom boat on the world-famous lake. If you’re the adventurous type, you can try the wild cave tour that takes you deep into the caves, where you’ll see rock formations that are unique to the area.

Fall Creek Falls

Situated on top of the Cumberland Plateau, the Fall Creek Falls State Park covers an area of over 26,000 acres. It consists of beautiful cascades, streams, gorges, and waterfalls. The Fall Creek Falls is the main attraction of the park. With an amazing height of 256 feet, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern part of the country. Other natural attractions that are worth visiting in the park include the Cane Creek Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, and Piney Falls.

There are many other great natural wonders in Tennessee. If you’re a nature lover or outdoor enthusiast, you’ll find endless things to do in this state.

Image by Hans from Pixabay