We asked members of TennGreen’s Board and staff to tell us about their favorite places in Tennessee—and they replied with some of the best hiking, paddling, climbing, biking, and outdoor spots Tennessee has to offer! We hope this inspires you to get outside and explore all the natural beauty of our wonderful state.
North Chickamauga Gorge State Natural Area
“It’s fifteen miles from downtown Chattanooga (and the closest wilderness area to my house!) and is a beautiful deep gorge cut into a sandstone plateau. With miles of trails and areas for rock climbing and paddling, this SNA represents the best of what east Tennessee has to offer. My family hikes and swims there year-round, but we make a special point to hike there on Black Friday every year. I want my kids to have a special association with this natural area so close to home.” Jacqueline Harp- The Great Smoky Mountains
“I love hiking in the morning before the fog has lifted and dew is still on the leaves, then watching the forest wake up as the sun begins to peek through the trees.” Christy Moberly - Black Mountain
“It’s in my home county and is such a beautiful place. I remember going there as a kid and loving the boulder fields. A true Tennessee treasure and a unique area that offers a great array of recreational opportunities.” Matthew J. McClanahan - Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
“This area is 125,000 acres of wild land! A hiker can explore for days on end without crossing paths with another human.” Kristen Hanratty - Caney Fork River
“A beautiful place to fly fish and kayak.” Jim Garges - Devilstep Hollow Cave
“This was the first project location I visited after joining the TennGreen team. Its history is absolutely fascinating! Though the cave itself isn’t publicly accessible, studies have identified more than twenty cave drawings dating back over a thousand years and evidence of some ancient underground ceremony inside the cave. The surrounding lands are beautiful and have some peaceful spots to picnic.” Carolyn Rehm - Roan Mountain State Park
“An incredibly unique area of Tennessee, with open landscapes, endless breathtaking views, plenty of trails, and an abundance of wildlife.” Kim Woodward - Natchez Trace State Forest & State Park
“You could visit the Trace hundreds of times and still find something new and interesting.” Jeff Hill - Denny Cove
“I love it for the climbing, hiking, and waterfall peeping on the plateau.” Laurel Graefe
- Big Hill Pond State Park
“This park is beautiful, especially in the winter and fall, and it’s very relaxing with nice rolling hills and a fire tower.” Alan Webb - Tims Ford State Park
“I love this park because of its picturesque lake habitat, paddle-in campground, and neat swing bridge experience on hiking trails.” Nichole Hidalgo Jordan - Virgin Falls State Natural Area
“This SNA is beautiful and unique and was my favorite place to hike as a kid. The caves and waterfalls make for a stunning hike, and the whole area feels very mysterious.” Ryan Bailey - South Cumberland State Park
“These trails were some of the first I hiked after moving to Tennessee. Exceptional hiking that competes with the Smokies but with three hours less driving from Nashville. I still remember my first jaunt through Stone Door, down the Big Gulf Trail, and then to Ranger Falls . . . the first time I had ever seen a terminal falls.” Mark Peacock - Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail
“This Ashland City trail is my favorite because my daughter enjoys walking from TennGreen’s Eagle Pass section to the bridge over the Cumberland River. She loves the water, and it’s only a mile round trip to the bridge.” Christie Henderson - Fiery Gizzard/Foster Falls (in South Cumberland SP)
“A wonderful place to hike, with scenic overlooks and diverse geography!” Rich Swartwood - Cherokee National Forest
“The forest offers plentiful opportunities for backcountry driving, hiking, and recreating. The waterfalls and mountain streams are always picturesque and great trout waters. The fall foliage is difficult to rival in the Southeast and easily viewed from the scenic byways. There always seems to be a level of peace in the mountains not found anywhere else.” Christopher C. Haigler - Dog Cove and Lost Creek Falls
“This area offers a lost-in-time experience and includes the Jimmy Davis homesite, a cave sink, and a stunning waterfall.” Steven Walsh - Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
“I like walking through the old fort ruins and being able to walk along the Duck River.” Alina Fierro - Duck River
“I love paddling the Duck River each summer. I’ve adventured with a few outfitters, and I love each section of the river I’ve traveled through—its crisp, cool waters; the towering slopes along much of the riverbanks; and the serenity that comes from an easy float along this magnificent natural treasure. Of course, it makes it only more special to know that it’s the most biodiverse river in our whole country!” Alice Hudson Pell
- Big River Crossing
“Big River Crossing overlooks the mighty Mississippi River and is our country’s longest active rail/bicycle/pedestrian bridge. It ties together urban, rural, and natural areas and gives users recreation options unique to each setting.” Frank Ricks - Watauga Lake
“Located in the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, Watauga Lake has limited housing development and is quite beautiful to visit no matter the season. The Appalachian Trail crosses over the dam and along the ridge of Iron Mountain, which borders the northern shore. Watauga Lake is a mountain lake, meaning it’s fairly deep and quite refreshing to swim in the early summer months. We’ve taught several people to water ski and wakeboard over the years. It’s a great place to have fun with friends and family!” Green Faircloth - Fall Creek Falls State Park
“The lake you can walk around is peaceful and beautiful by the new lodge, especially in the mornings when the fog is over the water. The hike down to the falls is fun, with mixed terrain, and it’s moderately steep…especially coming back up. You can sit on a ledge at the waterfall, and it’s great for just hanging out. There are some smaller trails at the park that are also nice.” Christy Powell - Shelby Forest State Park
“It’s approximately 10,000 acres of virgin hardwood forest, with all kinds of trails to explore. Also, it’s heavily used by bikers with its challenging, rolling roads. Only fifteen minutes from downtown Memphis, and a great place to eat is at the Shelby Forest General Store.” Nick Nunn - Frozen Head State Park
“Many trails wind through the forest and up on the ridges. It’s a great place to see migrating songbirds and forest-nesting birds, including the Cerulean Warbler. Nowhere in Tennessee, or in the range of the species, is there a higher density of this bird of conservation concern. It brings me joy every time I hear one sing.” Melinda Welton - Reelfoot Lake State Park
“Reelfoot Lake is a geological oddity created by an earthquake in 1812 along the New Madrid Fault. The quake is reported to have rung church bells in Philadelphia and caused the Mississippi River to flow backward for some time. The resulting backwater is what we now know as “Reelfoot Lake.” Reelfoot is along the Mississippi River Flyway for waterfowl heading south in the winter. Several large wildlife refuges are in the area, attracting waterfowl, eagles, and other animals to this swamp-like lake. Red Cypress trees dominate the lake’s shallow footprint and create shelter for birds and fish. Waterfowl hunting is popular and has a great tradition spanning hundreds of years, with legendary duck call makers in the area creating special calls suited to Reelfoot. Depending on the time of year, you can find several species of ducks and geese here. There’s great fishing and hiking along the lakeshore trails. The night sky at Reelfoot is also an amazing treat, with its location away from populated areas.” Bob Sarratt