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    Frozen Head State Park

    5.0 (17 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Frozen Head State Park Photos

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    Justin H.

    Frozen Head is an excellent state park located about 40 minutes from West Knoxville. It's an easy drive through Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, etc. In transit, you'll pass the Morgan County Correctional Complex (a big jail) and see the Cumberland Mountains. Once at Frozen Head, there are numerous hikes. My favorite is the Emory Gap Falls trail. The trail follows a ridge overlooking a mountain stream. It is pretty easy to do for most people and is fairly wide. The first section leads to Debord Falls. This is a nice small waterfall in the river. To get there, you'll hike down some stairs to a rock ledge that forms the waterfall. It's beautiful when the water levels are normal. The end of the trial is Emory Gap Falls. It's a little bit tricky to get close to the falls. You'll have to climb over some fairly large boulders. But, as long as you are in good shape, it can be done. But, little kids (under 10) probably would have a hard time on this part. Frozen Head also has good bathrooms, 2 playgrounds, a little gift shop & ranger station, and some camping sites. It's a great place for a day trip and usually is not very crowded. I've been coming here for 30 years (since I was a small child) and it's always been a peaceful, unique place. It's a nice way to experience the mountains without the massive crowds that you encounter in the Smokies.

    Jason G.

    I stopped here with my dogs on a road trip. Talked to a few park rangers who gave us a heads up of where to hike. it was a gorgeous area. sure you have to drive by a prison to get there but that makes it memorable. We were able to find parking easily and most everyone we came across was friendly to us. Please stop by and enjoy your time at this beautiful park.

    Wonderful water
    Enrique C.

    Beautiful state park awesome views of the waterfalls and the river. Such wonderful nature plants and great trees

    Christopher M.

    First visit on a beautiful Saturday. Very lush and raising walk up to Duford Falls and Emory Gap Falls. Shaded well maintained trail to both. Easy for young children. Heartily recommend for 2 hour outing. The volunteer docents are very welcoming and helpful. Plenty of parking.

    Frances C.

    Absolutely beautiful state park! A great variety of hikes for all still levels! Also amazing variety of wildflowers and a few waterfalls. You can camp in the Campsites very close to the other campers but also have many backcountry Campsites as well!

    Waterfall on the trail

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Awesome place for the family. Beautiful and clean camping sites. I'm a local and proud of our state park.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great place to go hike for the day it camp. Water is soooo blue and clean that my children thought it had been dyed that color.

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    9 years ago

    Absolutely beautiful park. The trails are very nice. Waterfalls were cool and refreshing. Park rangers are super nice.

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Cool place to go with kids and have a picnic. Hiking up to the falls is great time, lots of lizards and animal live everywhere.

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    Ask the Community - Frozen Head State Park

    Review Highlights - Frozen Head State Park

    Very lush and raising walk up to Duford Falls and Emory Gap Falls.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Obed Wild and Scenic River - Trail from bridge to Lily Bluff Overlook

    Obed Wild and Scenic River

    4.3(7 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    This place is a hidden gem. I highly recommend stopping by at the very least to do the Lily Bluff…read moreOverlook. It's not strenous and the rewards of the views after a short walk are well worth it. I visited when it was raining and so it wasn't the best view, but it was still gorgeous. I also went on the Obed River Point Trail (3.6-mile out-and-back). You have to cross some streams using rocks, and there's also a wood bridge. The trail has a hidden arch rock to your right as you approach the end of the trail, but it's small and there's a reason why they don't mark it as it's not dramatic haha. Towards the end of the trail there's a lot of small social off shoot trails, but the main trail is wider than the others. Near the end of the trail there's a marker and then an end point marker. Neat trail!

    An absolutely stunning nature space with a great many wild features to look forward to. They have…read moretrails and adventures for everyone so that everyone is able to enjoy the splendor that is Obed. Lily Bluff Overlook itself has multiple access trails. For those needing a mostly flat path with maintained gravel surface, try the upper parking lot trailhead. It is easily recognized by the huge Obed sign at the parking lot entrance. For a more uphill and challenging experience, take one of the trailheads from either of the bridge parking areas below the bluff. Pictures: 1) Lily Bluff Overlook platform -- an extensive platform to make access safe and manageable for everyone while also protecting the natural elements of the bluff. 2) The view from Lily Bluff Overlook 3) The hike up -- this picture shows the start of the trail up to Lily Bluff from the bridge parking area. The hike is all uphill with stone and wooden stairs, and roots. It is a beautiful, fun, and enjoyable hike.

    Photos
    Obed Wild and Scenic River - Lily Bluff Overlook

    Lily Bluff Overlook

    Obed Wild and Scenic River - Visitor center exhibit - wasp nest

    Visitor center exhibit - wasp nest

    Obed Wild and Scenic River - Lily Bluff Overlook

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    Lily Bluff Overlook

    Frozen Head State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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