As one of the most visited points along the Appalachian Trail, Clingmans Dome is in the center of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and gives you a 360-degree view of the Smokies from its circular lookout tower. It’s a popular stopping point for park visitors during the peak seasons of spring and fall, and is accessible by car from US-441 to Clingmans Dome Road—a seven-mile drive that leads to the Forney Ridge Parking area and trailhead, just 300 feet below the summit. Though the incline to the tower is paved, it’s still quite steep. For casual to experienced hikers, here are six ways to reach Tennessee’s highest mountain, depending…

In a state as bejeweled with lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks as Tennessee, it’s no surprise that swimming is one of the most popular ways for locals (and visitors) to enjoy the warm weather. With 56 state parks and an abundance of other public and private recreational areas throughout the region, the Volunteer State is a paradise for those wanting to get their hair wet when it’s nice outside. Here’s a roundup of some of the best spots (did someone say waterfalls?) where you can take a plunge in the great state of Tennessee.

Few places in North America look much of anything like they did pre-settlement, but they’re out there—and the Obed Wild and Scenic River is one of them. This 45-mile segment of the Obed drains much of the Cumberland Plateau and is the only designated wild and scenic river in Tennessee, which is crucial—it’s one of the last free-flowing river systems in the eastern United States. The Obed’s rugged cliffs and steep drop-offs make for world-class rock climbing and whitewater paddling, but recreation isn’t the only thing to recommend it—between its rich human history, diverse ecosystems, and unsullied natural beauty, a trip to the Obed is akin to traveling back in…

Everyone who loves hiking knows that one of the perks is the views, but it takes a lot of time and effort to get to the *really *good ones. Or does it? In Tennessee, there are plenty of easy hikes that won’t require hiking into the backcountry for a weekend, but will still give you the vistas you’ve been dreaming of—deep gorges, twisting rivers, tree-covered hills, and mountains as far as the eye can see.Of course, it’s impossible to list them all, but we’ve narrowed it down to nine of our favorite easy hikes (three miles or less, round trip) with spectacular views.

What gives a hike that coveted 5-star rating? There’s no doubt that many of us find the reward of an amazing view worth the potential physical challenge. Maybe it’s a scenic overlook at the end, while to others, it might be the views along the way that make a hike spectacular. No matter what your preference, here is a short list of some of the best views in Tennessee.

According to National Park Service stats, Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosted over 11 million visitors last year. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on that backcountry trek or fly fishing expedition and turn on Survivor reruns—we’ve got a few tips and tricks that experienced outdoor trekkers use to find solitude on the trail. 

Anyone active in the outdoors community around Chattanooga has likely heard of Randy Wharton. The founder of Chattanooga-based nonprofit Wild Trails is also an ultramarathon trail runner, long-distance paddle-boarder, and lifelong outdoor adventure seeker.

After a few days in the great outdoors, the last thing you want to do when you finally get home is tackle the task of cleaning your gear—we get it. But, as any outdoor enthusiast knows, gear is pricey stuff—and that’s if you buy it once. However, putting in just a little bit of time and effort into keeping your gear cleaned, fixed, and stored properly has big impact on its lifespan and performance.

When you’re exploring the depths and wonders of East Tennessee, where to start? It’s brimming with so much nature and so many things to do it can be a bit overwhelming—from trekking the depths of the Great Smoky Mountains to learning the ins and outs at Ijams Nature Center in town. But as you conquer these well-worn paths, many turn an eye to new adventures.  The trails and natural areas on this list aren’t necessarily “overlooked”—plenty of locals know about them and make use of the trails—but are less trafficked and often offer a more secluded and new experience, from easy treks into wilderness areas to 300-mile thru-hikes. Here, some…