This Is Tennessee’s Most Underrated National Forest

Breathing in the refreshing mountain air and getting immersed in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest is one of my favorite things to do. This massive forest stretches the eastern border of Tennessee, with so many hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. It truly feels like you are miles away from everyone else, and it happens to be one of my favorite places in the world to go. I could spend a lifetime just hiking the vast expanse of wilderness in this forest, and if you haven’t been, well, then you owe it to yourself to fully immerse yourself in this glorious mountain landscape.

The Cherokee National Forest spans from the tip of Tennessee and follows the eastern border all the way down to the bottom near Chattanooga. With approximately 660,000 acres of glorious wilderness, you can easily spend a lifetime within these mountains.

Hidden within the dense forest are many waterfalls, gorgeous overlooks, and miles and miles of paths to wander. I am so drawn to this forest that I look back on my time of adventuring with pure fondness and long to get back into its shaded embrace once again.

There seems to be no end to the incredible gems just waiting to be discovered within this forest. Just when I think I have seen it all, I discover whole new sections that I never knew existed. This is partly due to the friendly community of hikers in Tennessee who are happy to shed some light on their local secrets when you pass them by on the trails.

One little nugget of information has led me to some incredible hidden gems that I would never have known otherwise, so when you are hiking in this forest, make sure to chat with the locals about their favorite spots.

There is a distinct look of the Cherokee National Forest that I find incredibly endearing. The rhododendrons lining the trails let me know I am in the right place. I have stood on high peaks gawking in awe as I witnessed mountain layers as far as I could see spanning the distant horizon, and I have dipped my toes in refreshing pools in front of beautiful waterfalls.

No matter how many times I have been in this mountainous forest, I will find myself coming back time and time again.

If you plan to dive into the wonderful wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, then I would recommend getting the AllTrails app. This will help you plan your various hikes to make the most of this amazing forest. To get you started, I would highly recommend taking a trip to Laurel Falls, which I think is one of the best waterfalls in Tennessee.

If you love mountaintop experiences, then a hike up to Round Bald would be the next best thing. However you want to enjoy your escape into the wilderness, you can find it in Cherokee National Forest, so now it's time to get out there and become immersed in nature.