Short trips in East Tennessee?

Thanks everybody, and thanks to sleepy! Between here and the list he gave me on the phone, I've got a LOT on my plate to do! I knew there were a bunch of things to do here, but just have to find them. Sorry I haven't posted sooner, but my internet has been out for a few days. Hopefully I'll have some neat pictures to share in a couple months.

Jim...where do you live out there? I lived in Bremerton while I was stationed at the Bangor sub base and then over in Richland when I got out of the Navy before I moved here.

Yes, like I said he's got places to go/see all around him which is why I pointed out what resources to use to find them. If I was him, I'd have a hard time deciding which direction to go first since I lived in Knoxville for just under 30 years and have friends/family all over the state.

45 minutes from op's home...kayakers love this river... this is a gentle portion

25 minutes from Op's house

I talked with brian by phone today... told him about 15 places,,, National Parks, State parks, Forests, Wild and Scenic River, Water falls, dams, and many more... all within an hour from his house.... and many, many more inside a 2 hour radius.

We have take a lot of people to these sites when they come to vist from as far away as California and Washington State. I think all have gone home impressed with this area.

An open invatation... if you visit our area contact us... we'll show you around too. And you can do the Smokies by your self.

sleepy

I see no one has mentioned one neat option right in your back yard ... Frozen Head State Park. The park is quite mountainous for the area and has miles of hiking trails. It also has a small campground that is suitable only for tents or smaller RVs partly because it is accessed via a one-lane bridge that ties in to the main road at a right angle. Be prepared to boondock as there are no hook-ups but it does have water faucets and a restroom. Best of all there is a trail out of the CG that is an old fire tower access road so nice and wide. Being close to your home it would make a good location to minimize travel time and maximize relax time. Welcome to TN!

* Oops! Looking back I see Kohldad mentioned Frozen Head.

Google 'Clarkville Iron Furnace'... an old 1840's stacked-stone cold-blast iron furnace located in one of the prettier coves in these mountains. It's got a somewhat tragic story behind it. I think (not sure) that boondocking is allowed in the area. It's located outside Erwin TN, about 10-15 miles off I-26.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

Yep, gotta watch those ticks in TN. Not to bad in the area you are at, but a bit further west and they become absolutely terrible.

As far as the southeast goes, you are close to heavan with a lifetime of opportunities within a couple of hours.

If you don't mind crowds, there is Cades Cove in the Great Smoky NP. Best in the east for wildlife viewing.

Cataloochee in GSMNP is great opportunity for Elk.

Now to get away from the crowds, check out Frozen Head SP. Close by with a wonderful day hike up to the observation tower. (Haven't made it up there yet, but it's on my bucket list).

Then there is Fall Creek Falls, but go in the off season to avoid the crowds.

Just north of you is Big South Fork that also has very small and primitive camping.

Head east on I40 and take the last TN exit (Harmon Den Road). Head north and wonder around until you find where you want to park. Best views in the area is Max Patch with a couple nice trails in the area.

Okay, let's leave those crowds behind now and go boondocking. This is my favorite place to park the camper and mosey around filling up the memory card. Just into KY near Cumberland GAP NP (yet another great opportunity) is Wilderness Off Road Park (but don't worry, I haven't seen many ATVs). Get to it by taking 25E north to 119 east to 1344 south. I think it's some of the best areas and one of the few were you can sit in your camp for great sunset pics then without moving, sunrise.

Both taken from 36.684944,-83.619491. First pic is sunset, second pic is looking towards sunrise location. Third is just one from nearby exploring though the grasses.






Check out my photo albums for other suggestions.

Good luck and have fun camping.