THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS ADDITIONAL RESOURES 6XPPDU\RIWKH1DWXUH 2XWGRRU 3KRWRJUDSK\ *ROI&RXUVHV (DVW0LGGOH:HVW7HQQHVVHH /LVWLQJSDJHRIOLQNVWRDGGLWLRQDORQOLQHFRQWHQW NATURE & OUTDOORS Famous for the beauty of our landscape and the variety of our outdoor adventures, Tennessee welcomes nature lovers from all over the world. Come to hike in our mountains, swim in our lakes, fish in our streams and paddle in our rivers. Capture our wildlife on film, stroll through our gardens and meadows, or picnic beside our waterfalls. Golf on a fairway with mountain views, climb to high peaks or bike along riverfront paths. Great Smoky Mountain National Park Scenic Splendor Clingman’s Dome or picnic beside spots dot the byways and back roads Sample the scenic beauty of one of a dozen waterfalls. The Big of the beautiful Volunteer State. Tennessee, from the misty eastern South Fork National River and Follow the Great River Road’s 185- mountains to the dramatic gorges of Recreation Area on the Cumberland mile stretch through Tennessee the Highland Rim to the mysterious River passes through 90 miles of to see some of the most beautiful waters of the west. scenic gorges and valleys with a scenery along the Mississippi River Great Smoky Mountains wide range of stunning natural and corridor, from the cypress stands National Park is a place of ancient historic features. and eagle nests of Reelfoot Lake vistas and green havens, winding All of Tennessee’s 53 state to the Chickasaw Bluffs above the trails and sparkling waterfalls, parks, celebrating their 75th Mississippi to the sights and sounds blooming laurel and springtime anniversary in 2012, have of Memphis. Take in the river birdsong. Enjoy an easy walk in something beautiful to offer, from overlooks, hills and farms of the the woods, take a tough hike to rich forests, hollows, ridges and Ring of Fire Trail, where the Cordell breathtaking wildflowers of Roan Hull Dam forms a breathtaking view Mountain State Park to the magical of popular Dale Hollow Lake, visit combination of scenic, botanical lovely old towns like Red Boiling and geological wonders of Pickett Springs, and follow the footsteps State Park in the upper Cumberland of pioneers along Avery’s Trace. In Mountains. Chickasaw State Park East Tennessee, take the Tanasi sits on some of the highest terrain Trail over mountains by car or in West Tennessee, with more than steam engine, rent a boat at a state 50 miles of trails and recreational park or wet a line at Chattanooga’s opportunities. Along with vast Chickamauga Lake. scenic woodlands and 250 miles of horseback riding trails, Natchez Wildflowers and Wildlife Trail State Park includes four lakes Springtime in Tennessee means and a swimming beach. wildflowers and wildlife. In Tennessee’s Trails and Byways addition to the Smokies, visitors are a new way to see the variety of can enjoy wildflower pilgrimages Tennessee’s hidden gems. Wineries, at Norris Dam and Fall Creek Falls Ruby Falls, Chattannoga historic towns squares and scenic State Parks. For more beautiful days – 2 – The Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park, the state’s only linear park, runs 300 miles from Cumberland Gap National Historic Park on the Tennessee-Virginia-Kentucky border, to Signal Point near Chattanooga, with plenty of waterfalls, rushing rivers and scenic gorges along the way. In the hills and mountains of East Tennessee, you’ll find Fall Creek Falls State Park, laced with cascades, gorges, falls and streams; Coker Creek Falls with its seven ledges; and Roan Mountain State Park is famous for its spring color. Piney Falls State Natural Area. Inside Great Smoky Mountains Springtime in Tennessee means wildflowers and wildlife National Park, Ramsey Cascades is the tallest, reached by a four-mile climb, while picturesque Abrams Falls one of the most accessible. View Bald River Falls from your car or hike above the falls for a spectacular view. While West Tennessee is flatter, with fewer waterfalls, it abounds with lakes and natural areas, such as the Lucius Burch Natural Area and Sunk Lake. Kentucky Lake, the largest of the TVA reservoirs, provides endless opportunities for nature lovers and seekers of water and sun. Fall in the Smoky Mountains Ocoee Whitewater Rafting If a lazy day at the lake is your idea of fun, try Dale Hollow or the among the flowers, visit Reflection Make a Splash unspoiled beauty of Center Hill Lake, the 265 miles of shoreline of Riding, Standing Stone State Park, Take a tour of Tennessee’s J. Percy Priest Lake, or the natural Percy Warner Park or Cedars of waterfalls. In Middle Tennessee, it’s areas of Radnor Lake in Middle Lebanon State Park. just a short walk to Cummins Falls, Tennessee. Swimmers, skiers Chattanooga’s Audubon City Lake Park Falls and Hidden and fishermen love the look of Acres, Bays Mountain Park in Hollow Falls near Edgar Evins East Tennessee, where the broad Kingsport, Cheatham Wildlife State Park. Burgess Falls and Rock waters of Chickamauga Lake at Management Area, Bridgestone/ Island State Parks in the upper Harrison Bay State Park mean year- Firestone Centennial Wilderness, Cumberland, Jackson Falls along round water fun. Nickajack Dam the wetlands of Hatchie National the Natchez Trace, the 110-feet- Reservation, in the Tennessee River Wildlife Refuge, Chickasaw and high Virgin Falls or Stillhouse Gorge, called the Grand Canyon of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Hollow Falls are just a few of the the Tennessee, is the perfect place are just a few of the places to see a options on the Cumberland Plateau for fishing, picnicking and water rich variety of birds and beasts. and Middle Tennessee. – 3 – sports. Douglas and Cherokee Lakes stunning views of the river winding in the Sevierville area combine lots through downtown Knoxville. of water recreation with fantastic Heritage Gardens in Greeneville fishing and beautiful views of hills offers a shopping experience like and mountains. no other, with hundreds of bearded The Holston and Clinch Rivers irises, old-fashioned perennials, and Fort Loudon Lake in Knoxville roses, herbs and more. Rosewood are popular centers of fun and Gardens in Sevierville is an English festivities. The Indian Boundary Style botanical garden set in 17 Recreation Area in Tellico Plains acres of rural countryside. An is 100 acres of water in a mountain arboretum encompasses the entire setting. Norris Dam State Park campus of East Tennessee State provides dramatic views, a quaint University in Johnson City. gristmill and year-round birding, In Memphis, Dixon Gallery and hiking and sightseeing. Gardens shows off its forest and landscape garden settings along Fishing in Tennessee Gardens Galore with 60 species of trees. Litcherman The lush landscape of Tennessee Nature Center is a lush urban means gardens galore. The garden with excellent educational Tennessee River Gardens and programs. Watch the master Nature Preserve in Chattanooga gardeners of Oaklawn Gardens is a spectacular, gated wildflower in nearby Germantown as they garden and wildlife preserve care for azaleas and dogwoods and in the heart of the Tennessee answer your questions. River Gorge. Sunshine Hollow Cheekwood Botanical Garden Gardens in Athens includes 160 and Museum of Art in Nashville acres of forest, trails winding sets the standard with 55 acres through terraced flowerbeds and of beauty, named in the top five thousands of varieties of flowers. gardens by Southern Living A butterfly pavilion, wildflower, magazine. For a dose of history plant and wildlife habitat add to the with your horticulture, visit the enjoyment. Hermitage Garden, designed by Knoxville Dogwoods Research is the purpose of the English gardener William Frost riverfront Trial Gardens at the for the seventh president of the University of Tennessee, but beauty United States, Andrew Jackson. is an added bonus in the 10 acres. Ivan Racheff House and Gardens Outdoor Adventure in Knoxville is a former ironworks Tennessee ranks high for adventure dump that has been transformed vacations, from hiking and climbing into an urban oasis. Knoxville to rafting the raging white water. Botanical Garden and Arboretum For those who prefer a more sedate boasts beautiful mountain views outdoor activity, there’s no better and whimsical gardens with place for a day on the links. stone buildings, greenhouses and windings paths. Lake City’s Savage Wet and Wild Gardens is a unique sanctuary for Whether you are in need of a sensitive plants. Crescent Bend’s soothing float down the river, terraced three-acre garden features or in the mood for a rip-roaring Dale Hollow Lake – 4 – whitewater rafting adventure, the like Cumberland Mountain, David suitable for all levels of paddlers. scenic rivers of Tennessee never fail Crockett and Rock Island have Lakes like Chickamauga and to provide an inspiring experience. plenty of water options. Tim’s Norris are great for a calm day on In West Tennessee, you’ll find Ford State Park and Dam, on the the lake, while the Hiwassee and the granddaddy of all rivers, the headwaters of the Elk River, is Ocoee River Recreation Areas Mississippi, with endless water another great spot for adventure. and have some of the most famous adventures. Along the Mississippi The 125-mile Harpeth River whitewater in the nation, called one River Corridor, you can try your Blueway and the Floating Mill of “America’s Best Adventures” by hand at hiking, biking, camping, Recreation Area, which runs 64 National Geographic. You’ll find fishing, canoeing, kayaking and miles up the Caney Fork River, Class III and IV rapids in several all kinds of boating. Chickasaw both are wonderlands for outdoor spots, including the Tellico ledges, National Wildlife Refuge in Ripley adventurers. The Duck River the middle prong of the Little lies in the Lower Mississippi River Blueway has the only Class II rapids Pigeon and the Tremont River.