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Tennessee

Looking for the best hiking in Tennessee? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Tennessee. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Tennessee

  • Wartburg, Tennessee

    Potter's Falls

    0.1 mi / 50 ft gain
    Potter's Falls is a semi locally known area that is used for lots of different activities. To get there the roads are pretty simple and easy to follow the directions. The parking can be a bit tricky especially if its during the summer or extreme cold in the winter. There are only about 15 spots o...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Camp at Unaka Mountain Overlook

    4.0
    0.1 mi
    Unaka Mountain Overlook is one of the highest locations in the Cherokee National Forest. Easily accessibly by vehicle, the overlook towers over the surrounding mountains, including Beauty Spot Gap, and is an ideal spot to camp overnight. Take Rock Creek Road until you meet the border of North Car...
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  • Cosby, Tennessee

    Maddron Bald - Albright Grove Loop

    6.72 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Hidden in the eastern reaches of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cosby region receives a fraction of the visitation of Gatlinburg or Cherokee. This section of the park preserves some of the best deciduous old-growth forest in the eastern United States. Individual tulip trees and eastern ...
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  • Sequatchie, Tennessee

    Climb at Foster Falls SP

    5.0
    4.5 mi
    Foster Falls will suit any climber. A novice climber can find routes here, and an expert can find new and exciting projects. There are a few camping sites near the climbing area. Father Adams which is a primitive spot, and Foster Falls campground which has a shower and toilets (around $16 a night...
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  • Oak Ridge, Tennessee

    Hike to North Boundary Quarry

    5.0
    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    The parking at the trailhead is right off of the Oak Ridge turnpike so its very easy to park and there are plenty of spots to park. The trail is very wide and is a great place for taking kids and riding your bike. There are more than one trail that you can take to get to the quarry from the trail...
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  • Pikeville, Tennessee

    Hike to Fall Creek Falls Fire Tower

    4.5
    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    The tower is located in the far northeast corner of Fall Creek Falls state park. The road to get there can be rough especially if it has rained recently but any 2 wheel drive vehicle should be able to make it. When you get to the trailhead it is a small gravel pull off with a gate. From the gate ...
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  • Unnamed Road, Tennessee

    Hike to Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower

    1 mi / 200 ft gain
    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A 4WD VEHICLE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE.  The road to the trail-head can be very dangerous at times because of mud and debris, because of this an all wheel drive at least is very useful if you only have a 2WD car or truck I suggest only going in dry conditions.  When you get t...
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  • Pocahontas, Tennessee

    Hike the Dismal Swamp Loop

    3.8 mi / 400 ft gain
    Civil War history buffs may find themselves near the tiny town of Shiloh, Tennessee. While in the area be sure to explore Big Hill Pond State Park, in nearby Pocahontas, and hike Dismal Swamp. After a night at the park's campground I drove a couple of miles on well-graded gravel road to the trail...
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  • Memphis, Tennessee

    Hike at The Outback at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

    4.0
    3 mi
    Parking can be found at Raleigh Lagrange Rd and Trinity Rd. There are several trails to follow as well as trails that can be found into the wooded areas. The perfect place for your pup that has a decent recall. Keep in mind, there are single-track mountain bike trails that share the park.There ar...
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  • Walland, Tennessee

    Drive the Foothills Parkway National Scenic Byway

    5.0
    The foothills parkway runs parallel to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 38.6 miles in total with the longest section at 33.0 miles. There are a few different places to get on to the parkway. There is one entrance near Fontana, Walland, Wears Valley, and Cosby. However Cosby is a smaller section a...
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  • Tellico Plains, Tennessee

    Camp at North River Campground and Dispersed Campsites

    North River Road is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Tellico Plains. To get to North River Campground you can either drive up the Cherohala Skyway about 6 miles then turn when you see the sign for the campground and bald river falls. Another way to get to the campsites along North Ri...
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  • Burns, Tennessee

    Backcountry Camp at the Wildcat Shelter

    2.8 mi
    Start this adventure by retrieving your backcountry camping permit from the park office. There is no option to reserve a campsite online, so give the staff a call and they'll have it ready upon your arrival. From the office, turn left as if you're exiting the park. Before exiting, turn right into...
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  • Clarksville, Tennessee

    Explore Dunbar Cave State Park

    5.0
    0.5 mi / 16 ft gain
    Dunbar Cave is located 60 minutes northwest of Nashville in Clarksville, TN. Dunbar Cave is the most prominent of several caves located in this designated natural area. In the entrance of the cave, square dances, radio shows, and big band era concerts were once held. Archeologists have found that...
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  • Bluff City, Tennessee

    Spelunk Worley's Cave

    5.0
    3.5 mi / 100 ft gain
    Worley’s Cave, also known as Morrill Cave, lies just outside of Boone across the Tennessee border. It is the second longest cave in the state of Tennessee at a whopping 4.4 miles in total length. It is a non-lit cavern that’s path is lit only by those who venture in its depths (i.e. headlamps, la...
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  • Knoxville, Tennessee

    Fort Dickerson Quarry Park

    This is an amazing gem in south Knoxville only 7 minutes away from Gay Street. This is one of the newest parks in Knoxville but it has been a part of Knoxville for centuries. The quarry is a gorgeous place for swimming and kayaking. This park offers numerous outdoor activities all in a great plac...
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  • Vonore, Tennessee

    Camp at Citico Creek

    5.0
    There are a few options for getting to Citico Creek, you can either go up the windy gravel road from US 411 or get off of the Cherohala Skyway and go down the mountain past the Indian Boundary campground. The Citico Creek campground has about 5 or 6 spots but is rarely full because it is very sec...
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