Outdoor Recreation
Be warned: Full-on excitement is waiting in Tennessee! Decide if you want intense action, a wilderness experience, an invigorating getaway or an easy family outing. Our waterways and trails have distinct personalities and experiences to offer.
If whitewater's your passion try Tennessee's premier rafting river, the Ocoee, site of the 1996 Olympics and one of America's Top Ten Rivers, or the Cumberland in Big South Fork National Recreation Area, the Lower Nolichucky, Watauga and Holston rivers. You can kayak the four-mile paddle from Cane Hollow to the base of the 130-foot rush of Burgess Falls on Center Hill Lake or canoe Waynesboro's scenic Buffalo River with its quiet beauty. If a refreshing family is more your style, take in the cool water in Townsend in the Smoky Mountains. In Memphis, experience the Mighty Mississippi at Mud Island River Park, where education and water sports meet, or relax in the undisturbed headwaters and forests of the serene Wolf River. Whatever your favorite water sport, Tennessee has plenty to offer.
Friendship Family Resort
"Where the scenery is beautiful and the fun never stops. Friendship marina provides easy access to the entire ...more
City: Bristol, TN
Phone: 423-878-3128
Frozen Head State Park
"Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area is situated in the beautiful Cumberland Mountains of Eastern Tennessee near Wartburg. Frozen Head, elevation of 3,324, is one of the highest peaks in Tennessee west of the Great Smoky Mountains. From its observation tower on a clear day, one can plainly see the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee Ridge and Valley, and the Great ...more
City: Wartburg, TN
Phone: (423) 346-3318
Gannon's French Broad Outpost Ranch
"Dude Ranch with all inclusive family packages. Horseback riding, whitewater rafting, all meals and entertainment in one price. Great family ...more
City: Del Rio, TN
Phone: 800-995-7678
Gator Point Marina
"Located on Douglas Lake, Gator Point is a full-service marina. They offer pontoon and jet ski rentals, great food and weekend ...more
City: Sevierville, TN
Phone: 800-749-1957
German Creek Resort & Marina
"German Creek Resort offers a luxurious getaway on the bluffs of Cherokee Lake. Come to German Creek Resort to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the amenities we have to offer.
2 & 3 bedroom condominiums for short or long-term ...more
City: Bean Station, TN
Phone: 865-767-3505
Granville Marina & Resort
"Granville Marina is a quiet and serene getaway. Cabins, campground, fishing and boating are available year ...more
City: Granville, TN
Phone: 931-653-4360
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
"Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's ...more
City: Gatlinburg, TN
Phone: 865-436-1200
Greenbrier Island Campground
"Shady sites beside a peaceful river, a full hookup with cable, tent sites, electricity and water, fishing, swimming--all bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Greenbrier Island Campround is secluded and nestled in a peaceful valley rimming around Great Smoky Mountains National Park, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Little Pigeon River. We offer a camping experience from the most ...more
City: Pittman Center, TN
Phone: 865-436-4243
Hales Bar Marina & Resort
"Hales Bar Marina & Resort on the beautiful Nickajack Lake. Over 300 slips,rn54 cabins, 21 floating cabins, boat rentals,rnmini-golf course and RV Park and restaurant.rnrnMarina in operation since 1970's. On the site of Hales Bar Dam recently named to the National Trust's "Historic Register of Historic ...more
City: Guild, TN
Phone: (423) 942-5349
Harpeth River Blueway
"As a joint endeavor between the Harpeth River Watershed Association (HRWA) and the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association (TSRA), the vision of the Project is to promote recreational opportunities, safety and the preservation of natural and cultural features along the Harpeth River through the provision of canoe/kayak access sites and accompanying signage.
The Harpeth River, 125 miles long with over 1000 miles ...more
City: Franklin, TN
Phone: (615) 790-9767
Harpeth River State Park
"Fly fishing, spin casting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking and more are part of the natural life at Harpeth River State Park in Middle Tennessee. A unique linear park located along the Harpeth River, this beauty lover's spot is ideal for activities or relaxing.
Beginner and advanced paddlers can float this beautiful class II river. And, the river hosts large and ...more
City: Kingston Springs, TN
Phone: (615) 952-2099
Harrison Bay State Park
"The 1,200-acre Harrison Bay State Park, with approximately 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake shoreline, was originally developed as a Tennessee Valley Authority recreation demonstration area in the 1930's. Its name is derived from a large bay at the main channel of the Tennessee River that covers the old town of Harrison, and the last Cherokee Campground. The parklands are of ...more
City: Harrison, TN
Phone: 423-344-6214
Hazen's Raid at Browns Ferry
"By October 1863 the Union army suffered greatly from food shortages, and the supply route was tenuous at best. This raid, begun by Gen. William Hazen near here, floated down the river and established a beachhead on the south bank at Brown’s Ferry. The raid began an offensive that eventually established a more secure Union supply ...more
City: Chattanooga, TN
Phone: 423-643-6081
Heath's Canoe Rental Inc.
"Canoeing and small convenience store with sodas and food for canoeing ...more
City: Lobelville, TN
Phone: 931-593-2306
Heavy's Bar-B-Q, Canoe and Camp
"Great family experience. Great food in a backwoods country setting. Enjoy an 8.5 mile canoe trip on the Powell River and load the boat with ...more
City: Harrogate, TN
Phone: 423-801-0602
Tennessee River Gorge
"The only large river canyon bordering a mid-sized city, the Tennessee River Gorge is a unique carving of the river through the Cumberland Plateau, encompassing 27,000 acres. Habitats for more than a thousand varieties of plants, trees, grasses and flowers as well as a diversified wildlife population exist in this scenic terrain.
The Gorge is referred to as "Tennessee's Grand Canyon," ...more
City: Chattanooga, TN
Phone: 423-266-0314
Tennessee River Trails
"The Tennessee River Trail is waiting for you: a winding trail through Tennessee’s diverse river country featuring some of Tennessee’s most unique activities. Stop in Waverly, a historic railroad town featuring a museum and Civil War Fort.
For something truly unique, take a guided tour of a working pearl farm at the Tennessee Freshwater Pearl Farm in Camden. For even ...more
City: Jackson, TN
Phone: 731-668-6424
The Ride
""The Ride" is Tennessee's the roller coaster, twisting and turning along Highways 70, 33 and 31.
Advanced thrill seekers should finish on Hwy. 66, while leaf-peepers and photographers should backtrack to Rogersville when finished. If you're all about attractions, just turn left on E. Main Street and head to downtown Rogersville to pick up the Sunny Side ...more
The Wheel
"The one-stop shop for bicycles, skateboards and exercise ...more
City: Columbia, TN
Phone: (931) 381-3225
Tims Ford State Park
"Tims Ford State Park, located on the Tims Ford Reservoir in the rolling hills of southern Middle Tennessee, is an outstanding recreational area and fishing paradise. Long before the construction of Tims Ford Dam on the headwaters of the Elk River, the area was used extensively by the Indians as a hunting and fishing territory. Archaeological excavations uncovered numerous artifacts ...more
City: Winchester, TN
Phone: 800-471-5295
Top Secret Trail
"Top Secret is waiting for you: a trail of secrets hidden among the scenic wilds of the Upper Cumberland Plateau. Immerse yourself in early Knoxville history by touring Blount Mansion, James White Fort and Bleak House, General Longstreet’s 1863 Battle of Knoxville headquarters. You’ll surely find the perfect souvenir at one of the many antique galleries along Kingston Pike and ...more
Twin Arches State Natural Area
"Twin Arches state natural area is approximately 1,500 acres located in parts of Fentress, Scott, and Pickett Counties and contains two impressive geological formations known as the Twin Arches. These arches form the largest natural bridge complex known in Tennessee and represent one of the worlds largest such complexes. The two sandstone arches are situated end-to-end, and are commonly referred ...more
City: Oneida, TN
Phone: 865-569-9778
Uncle Lems Mountain Outfitters
"Uncle Lem’s Mountain Outfitters is located at 9715 Kingston Pike across the street from Franklin Square. Featuring products from The North Face, Patagonia, Vasque, Rainbow Sandals, KEEN, Sanuk, TEVA, MSR, and much more...
The shop's namesake, Uncle Lem, lived his whole life next to Jake’s Creek where he was a farmer and bee keeper. Lem was the last “life lease” resident ...more
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-357-8566
University of Tennessee Sports
"A perennial powerhouse in several sports, the University of Tennessee fields twenty men's and women's varsity intercollegiate teams and is home to more than 500 student-athletes. The Vols and Lady Vols compete as members of the Southeastern Conference.
UT's Recreational Sports Department provides a wide variety of programs and well-maintained facilities for almost any sport or fitness-oriented person. RecSports allows for ...more
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-974-1000
Walnut Street Bridge
"Erected in 1890, the Walnut Street Bridge was the first to connect Chattanooga's downtown with the North Shore. Structural modifications have been made to turn the bridge into what is now a pedestrian walkway. The 1/2-mile span is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and very popular among local residents. Providing spectacular views of Coolidge Park, the ...more
City: Chattanooga, TN
Phone: (423) 643-6096
Warriors Path State Park Golf Course On the Tennessee Golf Trail
"An 18-hole course designed by George Cobb. Bent grass greens, Bermuda fairways and tees overseeded for winter play. Located on the shores of Fort Patrick Henry Lake, the course is along rolling countryside and has a scenic view of the lake from the No. 5 ...more
City: Kingsport, TN
Phone: 423-323-4990
Warriors' Path State Park
"Warriors' Path State Park was named for the park's proximity to the ancient war and trading path used by the Cherokee. Since that time, the park land has known a long history of travelers, and is still a pathway for modern-day outdoor enthusiasts.
The 950-acre area, acquired from the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1952, sits on the shores of TVAs ...more
City: Kingsport, TN
Phone: (423) 239-8531
Watts Bar Lake
"Watts Bar Lake is one of the south's largest lakes,covering 39,000 acres at full pool with 771 miles of shoreline. 738 of those shoreline miles are located in Roane County. Watts Bar Lake lies between the Watts Bar Dam and Ft. Loudon Dam, with the maximum depth being approximately 70 feet near the dams. The Tennessee River, Clinch River and ...more
City: Kingston, TN
Phone: 800-FUNINTN
Waterfall Farms
"In the heart of Tennessee Walking Horse country, this state-of-the-art farm continues to breed an impeccable line-up of stallions, with records of World Championship competition. Call ahead for ...more
City: Shelbyville, TN
Woodlands Trace Byway
"Running along a ridge of land between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, Woodlands Trace is a beautiful, easy drive in rolling terrain with opportunities to pull off and explore seasonal splendors of nature on your own or at developed interpretive facilities such as the 1850 Homeplace and the Bison range overlook.
This 43-mile passageway blossoms with trees and flowers in the ...more
City: Dover, TN
Yester-Years Classic Rides
"Trail rides, pony rides, train rides, hayrides, fishing, primitive camping, pistol and rifle ...more
City: Chapel Hill, TN
Phone: 931-364-7755
Gentry's Creek Falls
"The falls are not for the faint-of-heart, but a real challenge to the seasoned hiker. Gentry's Falls was named after Joseph Gentry. Joseph sold his iron works in Roan Creek around 1796 to Nathaniel Taylor. He then moved to Laurel Bloomery near Rogers Creek. Joseph pioneered 800 acres of land. The area had a creek flowing through it. This creek ...more
City: Laurel Bloomery, TN
Phone: 423-727-5800
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
"Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's ...more
City: Gatlinburg, TN
Phone: 865-436-1200
Greenbrier
"At the Greenbrier entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a community where about 1,000 people once lived until the 1930s. When land was designated for the park, residents relocated across the U.S., some staying nearby with family still residing in Pittman Center.
Some winning highlights of the area are wildflowers, picnic areas, walking trails, fishing.
In spring, the Greenbrier ...more
City: Sevierville, TN
Phone: 865) 436-2512
Harpeth River Blueway
"As a joint endeavor between the Harpeth River Watershed Association (HRWA) and the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association (TSRA), the vision of the Project is to promote recreational opportunities, safety and the preservation of natural and cultural features along the Harpeth River through the provision of canoe/kayak access sites and accompanying signage.
The Harpeth River, 125 miles long with over 1000 miles ...more
City: Franklin, TN
Phone: (615) 790-9767
Harpeth River State Park
"Fly fishing, spin casting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking and more are part of the natural life at Harpeth River State Park in Middle Tennessee. A unique linear park located along the Harpeth River, this beauty lover's spot is ideal for activities or relaxing.
Beginner and advanced paddlers can float this beautiful class II river. And, the river hosts large and ...more
City: Kingston Springs, TN
Phone: (615) 952-2099
Harrison Bay State Park
"The 1,200-acre Harrison Bay State Park, with approximately 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake shoreline, was originally developed as a Tennessee Valley Authority recreation demonstration area in the 1930's. Its name is derived from a large bay at the main channel of the Tennessee River that covers the old town of Harrison, and the last Cherokee Campground. The parklands are of ...more
City: Harrison, TN
Phone: 423-344-6214
Hazen's Raid at Browns Ferry
"By October 1863 the Union army suffered greatly from food shortages, and the supply route was tenuous at best. This raid, begun by Gen. William Hazen near here, floated down the river and established a beachhead on the south bank at Brown’s Ferry. The raid began an offensive that eventually established a more secure Union supply ...more
City: Chattanooga, TN
Phone: 423-643-6081
Henry Horton State Park
"Henry Horton State Park is well known for its championship 18-hole golf course, but it also features a park inn with 65 guest rooms and 4 suites as well as 2,000 square feet of meeting space, a separate conference lodge with 3,150 square feet of meeting space, a southern style restaurant, 5 rustic cabins and 3 deluxe cabins, 72 campsites ...more
City: Chapel Hill, TN
Phone: 800-250-8612
Highland Rim
"To the west of the Appalachian Plateau lies the Highland Rim, an elevated plain with steep slopes, surrounding the Central Basin, or Nashville Basin. The Nashville Basin is characterized by rich, fertile farm country.
With the exception of a few broad stream bottoms, the land is characterized by ridges and valleys with a few fairly low hills. The entire region is ...more
City: Springfield, TN
Hiwassee River Recreation Corridor
"Hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, picnicking, and scenic drives are all available alongside the Hiawassee Scenic River. Camping and other lodging located ...more
City: Benton, TN
Phone: 423-338-3300
Hiwassee State Scenic River
"The Hiwassee State Scenic River flows into the Tennessee River a few miles west of State Route 58 in Meigs County, Tennessee. The Hiwassee was the first river managed in the State Scenic River program. A 23-river mile section, from the North Carolina state line to U.S. 411 North, at Benton, is a Class III partially developed river. Here, Hiwassee ...more
City: Delano, TN
Phone: (800) 832-1355
Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park
"The Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park is a 23-mile stretch of river, the first such to be designated by the State Scenic River Program. This stretch of river offers canoeing, rafting, fishing, hiking and nature photography. A scenic portion of the John Muir trail winds through the river gorge. Numerous public access sites provide boat-launching ramps. At the Gee Creek ...more
City: Delano, TN
Phone: 423-263-0050
House Mountain State Natural Area
"House Mountain is a 500-acre natural area located in Knox County, approximately eight miles from Knoxville. The 2,100-foot crest of House Mountain provides significant vistas where visitors may scan the parallel ranges of the Unakas and Cumberlands some 30 miles away, or look northeast at the adjacent Clinch Mountain.
The steep slopes of House Mountain are heavily wooded and possess a ...more
City: Corryton, TN
Phone: (865) 215-6600
Ijams Nature Center
"Ijams is a 275 acre environmental learning center for all ages. It includes woodlands and meadows, hiking and biking trails, native flora and fauna, a boardwalk on the TN River, Will Skelton Greenway and the reclaimed Meads Quarry and Ross Marble Quarry ...more
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-577-4717
Upcoming events
Date: May 17, 2013 - May 19, 2013
Memphis in May - BBQ
Location: Memphis, TN
Date: May 17, 2013 - May 19, 2013
Big Bubba's Make-A-Wish Celebrity Softball Game, Family Night and Softball Tournament 2013
Location: Hendersonville, TN
Date: May 17, 2013 - May 19, 2013
Annual Smoky Mountain Classic Chevy Roundup
Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
See more May events »
Underground Sailing
The "Guinness Book of World Records" lists the Lost Sea in Sweetwater as the largest underground lake in the United States.











