INUSA Parks and Gardens
Cove Lake State Park
Hwy 25 W, Caryville 37714 423-562-8355
Scenic nature trails and bike trails wander through the grasslands and
woodlands surrounding Cove Lake. The steep pinacle of Devil's Race
Track provides a panoramic view of the area. Hundreds of Canadian geese
can be seen feeding along the shore in winter.
House Mountain State Natural Area
3930 Idumea Rd, Corryton 37721 423-933-6851
Hike through chesnut oak and pine trees to the summit for a spectacular
view of the distant Smoky Mountains and the Ridge and Valley country of
East Tennessee. Hawks, songbirds and wildflowers are seen in season.
Daily. $
Indian Mtn State Park
Rt 25 W, Jellico 37762 423-784-7958
Camping, fishing, paddleboat rental, 1 mi walking trail in the
Cumberland Mtns near the Kentucky border.
Watts Bar Lake
Hwy 58, Kingston 37763 423-376-1356
Boat dock and ramp, fishing, swimming, walking trail, tennis,
volleyball, picnic area. Daily. Free.
Norris Dam State Park
1261 Norris Freeway, Lake City 37769 423-426-7461
Miles of hiking trails overlooking Norris Reservoir. A 1790 grist mill
still grinds corn daily during the summer. Daily. $
Fort Loudoun Dam
US Hwy 321, Lenoir City 37771 423-986-3737
Picnic area, swimming, fishing, boat ramp. Free tour of the
hydroelectric dam by appt. Daily.
Melton Hill Dam & Lake
Hwy 95, Lenoir City 37771 423-986-2053
Campground, picnic area, swimming, fishing, boat ramp, observation
deck. Daily. Free ($ for camping).
Big Ridge State Park
1015 Big Ridge Rd, Maynardville 37807 423-992-5523
Swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking and hiking on 3,600 acres
overlooking the Norris Reservoir. Daily. $
Panther Creek State Park
2010 Panther Creek Rd, Morristown 37814 423-587-7046
Bird watchers gather on this 1,500 foot ridge overlooking the Cherokee
Reservoir and Holston River Valley to view migrating hawks and
waterfowl. Camping, swimming, fishing, boat ramp, tennis. Daily. $
Norris Dam
Hwy 441 N, Norris 37828 423-632-1825
Visit the powerhouse of the 1st flood control dam built by the TVA.
Picnic areas, walking trails, scenic overlooks. Mon-Fri 8-3. Free.
University of Tennessee Arboretum
901 Kerr Hollow Rd, Oak Ridge 37830 423-483-3571
Tour the arboretum and follow the trail through the 250-acre Forestry
Experiment Station. Daily 8-sunset. Free.
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Rt 3, Box 410, Oneida 37841 423-569-9778
105,000 acres of rugged river gorge with camping, hiking, horseback
riding, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, hunting, canoeing and
rafting. Daily. Free ($ for some activities).
Mt Roosevelt State Forest
Hwy 70, Rockwood 37854 423-376-4201
Picnic area, hiking trails, and breathtaking views of Watts Bar Lake
and the Great Smoky Mountains from the fire tower. Daily. Free.
Ebbing & Flowing Spring
Ebbing & Flowing Spring Rd, Rogersville 37857
423-272-2186
Dip your toes in one of only 2 springs in the world that flow at
regular intervals (2 hr, 40 min). Visit the nearby natural dam, stone
grist mill, one-room schoolhouse and a 19th century Methodist church
(still in service). Daily. Free.
Elrod Falls
Hwy 31, Sneedville 37869 423-735-4524
The beautiful 2-tier waterfall cascades over 1,000 feet into a natural
pool. Hike the surrounding trails and then take a refreshing dip in the
pool. Daily. Free.
Lost Sea
140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater 37874 423-337-6616
Experience an unforgettable tour of a 4.5 acre underground lake in a
glass bottom boat. Restaurant, ice cream parlor, gift shop, picnic area
and nature trail. Daily. $
Smoky Mtn Deer Farm & Petting Zoo
478 Happy Hollow Ln, Sevierville 37876 423-428-3337
Walk among 100 deer and touch and feed them. Other animals include a
zebra, miniature horses, and exotic cattle. Pony rides for children.
Daily 10-sunset. $
Forbidden Caverns
455 Blowing Cave Rd, Sevierville 37876 423-453-5972
Special lighting and stereophonic sound amid sparkling formations in
one of the nation's most spectacular caves. Apr-Nov, call for tour
schedule. $
Tuckaleechee Caverns
825 Cavern Rd, Townsend 37882 423-448-2274
Guided tours along illuminated passageways past waterfalls and large
onyx formations to the "Big Room". Mar-Nov, call for tour schedule.
Fort Loudoun State Park
338 Fort Loudoun Rd, Vonore 37885 423-884-6217
Reconstruction of the 1756 British fort overlooking Tellico Reservoir
and the Appalachian Mountains. Museum and visitor center, hiking,
fishing, water skiing, picnic area. Daily. $
Obed National Wild & Scenic River
208 N Maiden, Wartburg 37887 423-346-6294
A National Park Service primative area for whitewater enthusiasts, rock
climbers and nature lovers. Daily. Free.
Frozen Head State Natural Area
964 Flat Fork Rd, Wartburg 37887 423-346-3318
50 miles of hiking trails lead to a fire tower that offers a panoramic
view of Frozen Head peak and the surrounding Cumberland Mountains.
Picnic area, backpacker camp sites, fishing. Daily. $
Knoxville Zoological Gardens
3333 Woodbine Ave, Knoxville 37914 423-637-5331
White tiger, red panda, cheetah, gorilla, tortoises, otters are just a
few of the inhabitants of this beautiful park. Daily. $
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville 37920 423-577-4717
80-acres of woods, meadows, gardens. Wide variety of programs, events
and environmental information. Daily. Free.