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Plan your adventure

  • They form a beautiful, unspoiled part of southern Appalachia in the United States. The terrain here is unique — full of dramatic sandstone cliffs, over which spill dozens of majestic and beautiful waterfalls, carving deep canyons with cool, clear-running streams — all surrounded by lush, mature hardwood and evergreen forests.

     

    Much of this area is about 2,000 feet above sea level, thus four to six degrees cooler than surrounding areas such as Nashville or Chattanooga.  In the summer, that makes for much more pleasant days; in the winter, a better chance to see snow when other areas in the region just get rain.

     

    And there are centuries of fascinating history here, too. This area was settled by Swiss colonists and other European immigrants, looking for a better life in these rugged and beautiful hills. The coal, timber and railroading industries were once a major part of life in this area, though all but timbering are now largely gone. Dozens of historical sites and interpretive aids give you an opportunity to experience these events up-close.

     

    Over the past 50 years, a grassroots conservation movement, with support from state and national conservation organizations, has protected over 50,000 acres of the most pristine and scenic parts of the region, much of which has now become part of the area’s three Tennessee State Parks — Savage Gulf (20,000+ acres), South Cumberland (8,000+ acres) and Head of the Crow (5,000+ acres) — as well as part of the 13,000-acre domain of the University of the South. A vast and nationally-recognized network of hiking and biking trails allow visitors to ride, hike, camp and enjoy all of these breathtaking natural areas.

  • Located in southeast Tennessee, between Chattanooga and Nashville, the area is easy to reach via Interstate 24.  It’s 90 minutes from major airline service at Nashville International Airport (BNA), and 60 minutes from connecting airlines at Chattanooga (CHA). Shuttle service from BNA is available, but a rental car is a must in order to fully enjoy this area.

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  • There are literally hundreds of beautiful, secluded cabins and other homes available for short-term rental in this area, as well as a number of motels and lodges; check any of the major accommodation websites for particulars.  The area’s State Parks have 14 campsites, both for car-camping and backwoods wilderness adventures; campsites are available by advance reservation through the Tennessee State Parks website. In addition, the Mountains of Adventure have dozens of authentic, local restaurants with delicious fare and local grocers to keep your adventurers well fed and fueled for each exciting day.

  • This is not your typical vacation or getaway weekend kind of place.  No theme parks. No crowds. No long lines in the hot sun. No waiting for tables. This is a place where you, your family and friends can reconnect with the real world, be inspired by nature, and see things most people don’t even know exist.  A tremendous way to unplug and explore, to show the kids things way beyond the screens of their devices. A great opportunity to fire up their imaginations, and stoke their appetite for the outdoors.

     

    Swim beneath a pristine waterfall. Gaze at thousands of acres of fiery fall colors from a breathtaking overlook. Walk softly through a forest of centuries-old hemlock evergreen trees. Admire the explosion of color as spring wildflowers carpet our canyons and define our trails. Enjoy the crackle of a campfire on a cool spring or autumn evening.  Sleep under some of the finest night skies in all of eastern North America.

     

    Whether it’s for a long weekend or a week or more, you won’t run out of places to immerse yourselves in the kind of outdoor adventure most folks only read about in books, or see on their screens. It’s both a getaway and a destination, and most definitely an item for your bucket list.

     

    And if you come here once, you will come back.  Again and again and again. It’s that kind of magical place — the Mountains of Adventure.

Let us help you plan

We'll send insider tips on what’s new and what’s happening in the Mountains of Adventure, including special events, discounts on lodging and meals, and much more!  We promise not to overload your inbox or your feed — but we do promise to give you useful information you can use to plan your experience and get the most out of your visit to the Mountains of Adventure!

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