I occasionally afford myself the luxury of visiting places without really knowing what to expect…read more This park just wasn't that clear to me in its purpose, but it became more so after arrival, with a visitor center focused on Native American history and identifying this as a Cherokee Nation headquarters. A spread of recreated buildings outside offers opportunities for perusal. The most aesthetically distinctive site is a large spring of the sort that seem more common in Kentucky than Tennessee, which evinces a robust blue color and empties into a clear stream. The spring itself is off-limits, but the stream is open for wading. All of these sites are within sight of the initial entrance, but a trek uphill reveals picnic areas, an amphitheater, and a couple of mile trail through the woods. Between the different elements of the park, it was easy to spend a couple of hours there, and best of all, it's free, though the gift shop warrants examination.

Extremely nice! Not a bad price either You can bring your own food which is nice. A great way to…read morehave a family day

Wooden Park is still here! Just a heads up, there's some construction happening across from the…read morepark, so the front parking lot is closed. No worries, though! Just park right when you drive in. The only small downside is that there are wasps around. So keep an eye on the kids and encourage them not to bother them. Other than that its a great park i love how this wooden park is still here!

Nice local little park for my grand daughter. Excellent design to stir up the imagination of a…read more3&1/2 year old. She has so much fun that she didn't want to leave. We'll definitely be going back for more play time in a well layed out design for children's safe experience.

Pretty park, well maintained and lovely. The park area could use a little upgrading, but I don't…read moreuse that area at all. I love to walk around the lake and enjoy this park a lot.

A great park to take the kids to play and exercise . Great for some quiet time of a relaxing…read moreevening And more

I never met a waterfall that I didn't like. We did a driving tour along Little River in Great Smoky…read moreMountains National Park to see if we could spot some wildlife. The Sinks is a lovely waterfall along the river. There is a small parking lot with about a dozen spaces where we found parking. An observation area is a short walk from parking. A sign describes the area and that the falls were manmade. During the late 1800's the river was used to transport logs/timber to the nearby town of Elkmont. After a storm, flood waters caused a jam in the river. Dynamite was used to restore water flow. The blast resulted in a twist in the river and creation of the waterfall. A set of stone steps leads up a hill, offering lovey views of the falls. There are dozens of waterfalls in the Park. Sinks is one of the few that is drivable, which is great for people that cannot hike. I picked up a Waterfalls map at the visitor center that I found interesting and informative. Parking passes are required to park in the lot. There are no amenities at the falls. Plan 15-30 minutes for a stop and photos.

The Sinks is such a fun outdoor experience! Our boys, ages 11 & 13, loved it! The parking is not…read moregreat though, with only about 15 spots in the parking lot and nowhere else to go. It's super busy in the summer, so just be prepared for that. We had to wait about 15 minutes for someone to leave so we could park. That wouldn't keep us from going back, though.

It was a great beginner hike not too steep and plenty to see. If you get there early enough you'll…read morebe able to get to the end and back before the crowds.

Such a cool hidden gem about an hour drive from Knoxville. There is dirt parking for maybe 10 cars…read moreat the trailhead. Not many cars when I got there around noon but it was full when I got back on a Saturday around 3pm. Took my dog out for his 10th birthday and he had a blast. Loves outdoors and the water. You can take the full loop and see the smaller falls and the the bigger falls. Or you can see one, come back around and then see the other. The only reason you wouldn't do the full loop is because it does get a little steep and rocky and there is a cable to help get down. Don't let the cable steer you away. I had my dog with me and was a little nervous only using one hand and the other with the leash, but it was pretty simple to get down. Also recommend going right at the split so you can go DOWN the rocks instead of climb up the rocks at the point. Overall gorgeous views. Mostly shaded throughout the hike but be sure to bring water!

CNF is a part of the Appalachian Mountains range. In June, 2025 it is a verdant forest with hidden…read moregems around many corners. CNF is located in eastern Tennessee, borders North Carolina and borders and within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's enjoyed especially by motorcyclists, outdoors and certain motor enthusiasts. Cell reception can be spotty and satellite connection is challenging. The roads were mostly 2 lanes with very limited turnarounds, passing lanes and parking other than designated lots and limited along the side of the road. The forest and the views were enchanting! Leave No Trace!

What an awesome drive. The views are spectacular. Perfect for a road trip when you're in the area…read more We got beautiful pictures during the winter and again in the summer of the Milky Way.

Quick excursion but still worth the stop! Short trek down a fairly easy path to a beautiful…read morewaterfall.

This is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy nature. One of Southeast Tennessee's hidden gems. The…read moreHike to the bottom is very strenuous, lots of slick rocks and steep inclines over rocks. All the work is well worth the hazards.

This is a nice quiet park. There are two dog parks. One for small dogs and one for larger dogs…read more There is a mini playground for children. The paths to walk are parity paved and circle the park. On a few occasions I've seen people in different areas set up a volleyball net and play. So the park has ample room. There is also a creek where you will sometimes see kids or dogs go in. There are also a lot of squirrels going from tree to tree.

So grateful that Heritage is my "local" park, just five minutes away. Countless hours spent here…read morealone or with the kids, walking, playing, enjoying some Pokémon Go, watching the kids play in the creek. Life is good.

Cool 90' waterfall near the TN end of Cherohala Skyway. After a 2 year long closure, BRF just…read moreopened 3 weeks ago (May 30,2025). It had a great setting with strong cascades after much rain in the Cherokee National Forest. Since August, 2023 much of the roads, parking and the original 1933 Bridge were updated and new observation decks from the Bridge make it enjoyable even for the mobility challenged. The base of the falls and swimming holes can be accessed. I dipped my toes in and the water was warmer than expected on a hot humid (80s) day. There are 2 access roads along the Cherohala Skyway and are easy to miss. River Road is easier and seems to show up on GPS. Turkey run is NOT marked, newly paved but had a big fallen tree blocking much of the road. Parking is limited, about 15 parking spots and a steady stream of cars waiting on a weekDay afternoon. It's worth a stop but be prepared for the crowds and limited parking. No restrooms nor anything else. Leave No Trace!

Definitely put this on your list of places to see! It's a fairly short but scenic drive from…read moreTellico Plains, albeit on a very narrow road for two way traffic. Once you get there, you can park right beside the falls and see it from the bridge or hike down the rocks to the bottom and get even closer. There's also a nice short 1/8 mile hike to get to the top which offers an excellent view as well.

Definitely worth checking out! It's a great view, and it's super convenient that you can drive to…read moreit. We had a rental minivan that made it alright (although we stopped in the parking lot right before the really big danger sign and hiked the last little bit). If you had an SUV you could be completely confident driving all the way. The roadway seemed to be well maintained and the signage was clear!

Bell Mountain has some incredible views, but unfortunately this has to be one of the most…read moredisturbing examples of society today. The amount of graffiti and trash is absolutely disgusting and shows a complete lack of respect for the land, the scenery, and the people around you. Nearly every inch of rock is covered in graffiti, including the platforms that taxpayers paid to build so visitors could enjoy the view. The entire place feels reminiscent of movies that depict the breakdown of society and the end of the world--where chaos takes over and respect, responsibility, and common decency no longer exist. This is not artistic expression; it's vandalism and selfishness. Instead of appreciating the beauty of nature, visitors are forced to look at layer after layer of damage left behind by people who clearly have no regard for preserving anything for others to enjoy. It's honestly sad to see such a beautiful place ruined this way.