Are you an outdoorsy person? Are you in love with your home state, with the beauty of Tennessee’s nature, and the fantastic whole of our expansive scenery? Then we’ve got a road trip you simply can’t miss! Chock full of beautiful views, stunning waterfalls (even in our cities!), photo-worthy natural wonders, and rushing rivers, there’s so much to fall in love with in every corner of Tennessee, which is why we’ve crafted this short and sweet road trip to highlight some of our favorite destinations around the state. And at 6 hours, it’s totally doable in a weekend! Grab some snacks, lace up those hiking boots, and take this incredible road trip to a few of the most stunning natural wonders in Tennessee – they’re sure to make your season one you’ll never be able to forget!
View the official Google Map and start planning:
Google Maps
- Cherohala Skyway
Dzmitry Parul - Flickr If you’re looking to enjoy forty-three miles of gorgeous greenway, then you can’t miss the Cherohala Skyway. It links Tennessee to North Carolina and provides some of the prettiest color you’ll see this side of the state. The scenic byway took over 30 years to build, and crosses through both the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. That’s how they got the name “Cherohala”! Tellico Plains, TN 37385, USA
- Tennessee River Gorge
Charlene N Simmons - Flickr
Known as Tennessee’s Grand Canyon, this is one of the most beautiful spots in lower Tennessee. You’ll find 17,000 acres of lush TN beauty to hike, kayak, and explore.
Tennessee River Gorge, Tennessee 37347, USA
- Lookout Mountain
Clint Alley - Flickr Shared with Georgia, Lookout Mountain gives you the view of multiple states and miles and miles of rolling Tennessee hills. The Incline Railway is a classic adventure up the mountain! 3917 St Elmo Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409, USA
- Rock Island State Park
J. Stephen Conn - Flickr This Warren County State Park is one that is extremely popular during the summer, and proffers large and magnificent waterfalls. In fact, this could be a fantastic family day trip all on its own! Learn more about visiting, leaf-peeping, and waterfall-chasing at Rock Island State Park. Rock Island State Park, 82 Beach Rd, Rock Island, TN 38581, USA
- Burgess Falls
Triestino7 - Flickr
With four waterfalls that plunge more than 250 feet, Burgess Falls is one of the most impressive and hefty cascades of water in state. Not to mention one of Tennessee’s best natural wonders!
Burgess Falls, Tennessee 38544, USA
- Twin Arches
Ninad Miletic/GoogleMaps Found in Big South Form National River and Recreation Area and shared with Kentucky, the Twin Arches are the largest sandstone arches in the state. Twin Arches Lane, Twin Arches Ln, Tennessee, USA
Of course, there are so many more natural wonders in Tennessee that we could have added, so stay tuned as we keep planning more spectacular Tennessee road trips for you! What other sights would you add along the route? We have a feeling this is a going to make for a really awesome weekend!
Google Maps
Dzmitry Parul - Flickr
If you’re looking to enjoy forty-three miles of gorgeous greenway, then you can’t miss the Cherohala Skyway. It links Tennessee to North Carolina and provides some of the prettiest color you’ll see this side of the state. The scenic byway took over 30 years to build, and crosses through both the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. That’s how they got the name “Cherohala”!
Tellico Plains, TN 37385, USA
Charlene N Simmons - Flickr
Known as Tennessee’s Grand Canyon, this is one of the most beautiful spots in lower Tennessee. You’ll find 17,000 acres of lush TN beauty to hike, kayak, and explore.
Tennessee River Gorge, Tennessee 37347, USA
Clint Alley - Flickr
Shared with Georgia, Lookout Mountain gives you the view of multiple states and miles and miles of rolling Tennessee hills. The Incline Railway is a classic adventure up the mountain!
3917 St Elmo Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409, USA
J. Stephen Conn - Flickr
This Warren County State Park is one that is extremely popular during the summer, and proffers large and magnificent waterfalls. In fact, this could be a fantastic family day trip all on its own! Learn more about visiting, leaf-peeping, and waterfall-chasing at Rock Island State Park.
Rock Island State Park, 82 Beach Rd, Rock Island, TN 38581, USA
Triestino7 - Flickr
With four waterfalls that plunge more than 250 feet, Burgess Falls is one of the most impressive and hefty cascades of water in state. Not to mention one of Tennessee’s best natural wonders!
Burgess Falls, Tennessee 38544, USA
Ninad Miletic/GoogleMaps
Found in Big South Form National River and Recreation Area and shared with Kentucky, the Twin Arches are the largest sandstone arches in the state.
Twin Arches Lane, Twin Arches Ln, Tennessee, USA
For even more spectacular sights and Tennessee natural wonders without the hike, did you know you can find not one, but TEN waterfalls at Old Stone Fort State Park?
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Natural Wonders in Tennessee & Related Info February 02, 2023 Jennifer What are some of Tennessee’s natural wonders? Tennessee has some of the most stunning, diverse, and underrated scenery in the country. The state is a fantastic destination for lovers of the great outdoors, whether for casual exploring and waterfall-hunting or challenging backcountry climbing. Some must-see Tennessee natural wonders are:
Burgess Falls State Park, Sparta Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains Fall Creek Falls, Spencer Great Smoky Mountains Lookout Mountain, Rock City Lost Sea, Sweetwater Natural Bridge, Sewanee Ramsey Cascades, Gatlinburg Reelfoot Lake, Tiptonville Ruby Falls, Chattanooga Tennessee River Gorge, Chattanooga Tuckaleechee Caverns, Townsend Twin Arches, Oneida Umbrella Rock, Lookout Mountain Virgin Falls Pocket, Sparta
The OIYS Visitor Center
Natural Wonders in Tennessee & Related Info
February 02, 2023
Jennifer
What are some of Tennessee’s natural wonders? Tennessee has some of the most stunning, diverse, and underrated scenery in the country. The state is a fantastic destination for lovers of the great outdoors, whether for casual exploring and waterfall-hunting or challenging backcountry climbing. Some must-see Tennessee natural wonders are:
Burgess Falls State Park, Sparta Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains Fall Creek Falls, Spencer Great Smoky Mountains Lookout Mountain, Rock City Lost Sea, Sweetwater Natural Bridge, Sewanee Ramsey Cascades, Gatlinburg Reelfoot Lake, Tiptonville Ruby Falls, Chattanooga Tennessee River Gorge, Chattanooga Tuckaleechee Caverns, Townsend Twin Arches, Oneida Umbrella Rock, Lookout Mountain Virgin Falls Pocket, Sparta
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tennessee has some of the most stunning, diverse, and underrated scenery in the country. The state is a fantastic destination for lovers of the great outdoors, whether for casual exploring and waterfall-hunting or challenging backcountry climbing. Some must-see Tennessee natural wonders are:
- Burgess Falls State Park, Sparta
- Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains
- Fall Creek Falls, Spencer
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Lookout Mountain, Rock City
- Lost Sea, Sweetwater
- Natural Bridge, Sewanee
- Ramsey Cascades, Gatlinburg
- Reelfoot Lake, Tiptonville
- Ruby Falls, Chattanooga
- Tennessee River Gorge, Chattanooga
- Tuckaleechee Caverns, Townsend
- Twin Arches, Oneida
- Umbrella Rock, Lookout Mountain
- Virgin Falls Pocket, Sparta
