United States
Tennessee
Tennessee offers extraordinary natural diversity from the mist-covered peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—America's most visited national park—to the dramatic 150-mile Cumberland Plateau with its waterfalls, gorges, and extensive cave systems. Explore Cherokee National Forest's 650,000 acres of protected wilderness with over 600 miles of trails, paddle along 1,100 miles of shoreline on the Tennessee River system's expansive lakes and reservoirs, or discover the limestone karst landscape of Middle Tennessee with its unique caves, sinkholes, and natural bridges. The state's exceptional biodiversity includes old-growth forests with 400-year-old trees, one of the world's richest freshwater ecosystems, and spectacular geologic features like Fall Creek Falls—the highest waterfall in the eastern United States.
1National Parks
56State Parks
50+Landmarks
1National Forests
Tennessee Adventure Guide
Tennessee's diverse landscape spans from the towering peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the rolling hills of the Highland Rim and the fertile plains of the Mississippi River Valley in the west. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park, encompasses over 522,000 acres of ancient mountains with elevations reaching 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome, featuring old-growth forests, cascading waterfalls, and over 800 miles of hiking trails including 71 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The Cumberland Plateau cuts diagonally across the state for approximately 150 miles, featuring dramatic sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and dense forest habitats, with spectacular features like Fall Creek Falls—at 256 feet, the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Tennessee's extensive cave systems include Cumberland Caverns with over 32 miles of passages and massive chambers, and the Lost Sea, America's largest underground lake recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. The state boasts over 1,100 miles of shoreline along the Tennessee River system, with major reservoirs like Kentucky Lake, Norris Lake, and Watts Bar Lake offering exceptional fishing, boating, and water recreation opportunities. Cherokee National Forest spans 650,000 acres across the eastern border, protecting diverse ecosystems from high mountain balds to lush river valleys, with more than 600 miles of trails including the Benton MacKaye Trail and John Muir Trail. The middle portion of the state features rolling hills and fertile valleys of the Nashville Basin, surrounded by the Highland Rim with its spectacular limestone caves, underground rivers, natural bridges, and sinkholes forming a karst landscape of remarkable diversity. Throughout the state, over 56 state parks protect significant natural areas, from the cypress swamps of Reelfoot Lake created by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 to the old-growth forest of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest with trees over 400 years old and 20 feet in circumference. Tennessee's moderate climate and varied terrain create ideal habitats for exceptional biodiversity, including one of the world's richest freshwater ecosystems with over 300 fish species, 120+ species of mussels, and 60+ species of crayfish in the Tennessee River watershed.
Top Highlights
9.2
Hiking the Appalachian Trail near Erwin, Tennessee
Top-Rated Destination
The Appalachian Trail, winding through the lush landscapes near Erwin, Tennessee, offers a vibrant outdoor experience rich in natural beauty and ecological diversity. This section of the trail is part of a larger corridor stretching over 2,190 miles, connecting the southern and northeastern United States. Near Erwin, t...
Quick Info
- Best Season to VisitSpring and Fall
- Popular ActivitiesHikingFishingPaddlingWildlife ViewingPhotographyCampingCave ToursRock ClimbingWhitewater Rafting
Travel Tips
- •Pack layers even in summer as mountain temperatures can vary by 10-20°F from valleys
- •Visit the Smokies midweek or in early morning to avoid crowds, especially during summer and fall
- •Check dam release schedules before planning paddle trips, especially on the Ocoee River
- •Make campground reservations well in advance for summer and October visits
- •Call ahead for cave tours as they often fill up during peak season
- •Keep food secure in bear country and maintain safe distances from wildlife
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Complete Tennessee Adventure Guide
Tennessee's diverse landscape spans from the towering peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the rolling hills of the Highland Rim and the fertile plains of the Mississippi River Valley in the west. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park, encompasses over 522,000 acres of ancient mountains with elevations reaching 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome, featuring old-growth forests, cascading waterfalls, and over 800 miles of hiking trails including 71 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The Cumberland Plateau cuts diagonally across the state for approximately 150 miles, featuring dramatic sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and dense forest habitats, with spectacular features like Fall Creek Falls—at 256 feet, the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Tennessee's extensive cave systems include Cumberland Caverns with over 32 miles of passages and massive chambers, and the Lost Sea, America's largest underground lake recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. The state boasts over 1,100 miles of shoreline along the Tennessee River system, with major reservoirs like Kentucky Lake, Norris Lake, and Watts Bar Lake offering exceptional fishing, boating, and water recreation opportunities. Cherokee National Forest spans 650,000 acres across the eastern border, protecting diverse ecosystems from high mountain balds to lush river valleys, with more than 600 miles of trails including the Benton MacKaye Trail and John Muir Trail. The middle portion of the state features rolling hills and fertile valleys of the Nashville Basin, surrounded by the Highland Rim with its spectacular limestone caves, underground rivers, natural bridges, and sinkholes forming a karst landscape of remarkable diversity. Throughout the state, over 56 state parks protect significant natural areas, from the cypress swamps of Reelfoot Lake created by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 to the old-growth forest of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest with trees over 400 years old and 20 feet in circumference. Tennessee's moderate climate and varied terrain create ideal habitats for exceptional biodiversity, including one of the world's richest freshwater ecosystems with over 300 fish species, 120+ species of mussels, and 60+ species of crayfish in the Tennessee River watershed.
