Frequently Asked Questions

Tennessee’s South Cumberland is known as the “Mountains of Adventure” because it is a mecca for outdoor lovers, with three State Parks plus the University of the South protecting nearly 35,000 acres of pristine forests with over 150 miles of hiking trails. There you’ll find hundreds of dramatic sandstone overlooks and over a dozen breathtaking waterfalls. It is one of the most biologically rich areas in the eastern U.S. Because of its sandstone plateaus, deep gorges, waterfalls, caves, and micro-climates, it hosts over 50 species that are rare and/or unique to the area.

With an elevation approximately 1,000 feet higher than surrounding areas, Tennessee’s South Cumberland is cooler in the summer than most of the Southeast.  In winter, the area is also more likely to get snow than the lower elevations.

Tennessee’s South Cumberland is also home to The Caverns, the award-winning venue where the PBS TV series “The Caverns Sessions” is filmed. The Caverns features live music from across the musical spectrum year-round, both in its original “cave-theater” and, in warmer weather, at its outdoor amphitheater. Check TheCaverns.com for upcoming performances.

Yes, absolutely. Tennessee’s South Cumberland is ideal for any visitor interested in an authentic outdoor experience. It is far quieter and less crowded than the Smoky Mountains with a distinctly different feel, immersing you in nature up close.  Instead of looking up at the mountains above, you start at the top with jaw-dropping views and descend into narrow gorges alongside dramatic cliffs, often following cool mountain streams to find breathtaking waterfalls.

• Crowd level: Much less crowded than Gatlinburg, any time of year.

• Type of experience: Much more authentic, relaxing, and more in touch with nature.

• Cost: Generally, prices in the “Mountains of Adventure” are lower than in Gatlinburg.

• Convenience: Tennessee's South Cumberland is directly accessible via I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga.

Yes, families will love the shorter waterfall hikes, secluded cabin accommodations, and the safety of a small-town feel, as well as specifically kid-friendly attractions, such as the zipline at Baggenstoss Farms, the full-size pirate ship and indoor playhouse at Cove Creek Farms and the story book trail with playground at the Fiery Gizzard State Park Welcome Center.  The nine towns of Tennessee’s South Cumberland offer a variety of eating options, many ideal for the children, as well as seasonal events and kid-friendly activities.

Yes, there is rich history to explore, and many historic sites to visit in Tennessee’s South Cumberland.  Two of its communities (Beersheba Springs and Monteagle) began asvresort areas in the 19th Century, and many of the beautiful Victorian-era homes are well preserved and still in use today.

A third community, Grüetli-Laager, began as a resettlement community for Swiss emigrants who came to America, looking for a better life, starting in the 1860s. The Stoker-Sampfli Farm still operates as a Swiss cultural learning center.

A fourth community, Sewanee, began as (and still is!) a small college town, part of the University of the South, which was founded here around the time of the U.S. Civil War.  The University was named as the 2025 26 Most Beautiful Campus in the Country by the Princeton Review. 

Three more communities are tied to the discovery of coal in the “Mountains of Adventure” in the 1850s (Tracy City, Coalmont and Palmer).  They were originally connected by the Mountain Goat Railroad line, which carried coal, timber and passengers into and out of the region.  Today, much of that original railroad right-of-way has now been converted into a multi-modal recreational trail that bears the Mountain Goat name.

At the Grundy Lakes Historic Area near Tracy City, you can see remains of the “coke ovens” that were constructed to turn the native coal into Coal Coke, which made it more useful (and vaulable) in the production of steel.  Much of that area’s mining operation, known as “Lone Rock” back in the day, depended on prison laborer workforce.  The prisoners, leased from the State of Tennessee, were housed in a Civil-War era stockade on the site, which is presently under archaeological investigation.

Yes! Tennessee’s South Cumberland is the perfect place to escape the noise and congestion of the city, put away your screens, relax and recharge in nature. Its proximity to I-24 makes for a convenient weekend getaway from Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta or Huntsville. Once here, you can stay in a wide variety of quiet inns, remote Airbnb vacation homes, tiny homes, glamping options or even pitch a tent in remote back country. From there, you can go hiking, biking, forest bathing, bird watching or wildflower spotting. You can even add in some yoga, a massage or other spa services before returning home.