7 Natural Wonders Unique To The Volunteer State That Should Be On Everyone's Tennessee Bucket List
×
Meghan Kraft
Author
There are plenty of natural wonders scattered throughout Tennessee, some tucked away amidst the mountain of the east, others along the famed Cumberland Plateau or just beyond the muddy Mississippi River. The unique geographical elements of the area vary depending on where in the state you may be, and we’ve put together a list of seven natural wonders unique to Tennessee that provide insight into the state’s natural beauty. From Tennessee’s single natural lake to a natural phenomenon in the woods beyond Sewanee, there’s a little something magical for everyone.
Tuckaleechee Caverns, 825 Cavern Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Hailed as the "Greatest Site Under the Smokies," this natural wonder in Tennessee is known as the highest-rated cave found east of the Mississippi River. The expansive cave system runs beneath the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and visitors have the chance to take a guided tour through an underground wonderland some consider to be thirty million years old.
Reelfoot Lake State Park, 2595 TN-21 E, Tiptonville, TN 38079, USA
Reelfoot Lake is the only naturally occurring lake in Tennessee. The 280-acre park is a major preserve for both hunting and fishing, as well as home to bald eagles and a diverse amount of plant life. The lake was formed by a series of earthquakes in the early 19th century known as the New Madrid Earthquakes, and it averages just 5.5 feet in depth. That's one shallow lake!
Advertisement
Honey Creek Loop Road, Honey Creek Loop Rd, Tennessee, USA
The Honey Creek Loop hiking trail is located just beyond Huntsville, Tennessee, and it is known as a natural wonder for its rugged landscape and breathtaking insight into Tennessee's natural underbelly. It is considered the most challenging trail in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and visitors will traverse a gorge striped with waterways and stunning rock features.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Few People Know There’s A Mystical Basin Hidden Amid The Mountains In Tennessee
Tennessee's Beauty Spot Is One Of The Best Summits for Viewing Two Different States
Climb A Natural Rock Staircase To Incredible Views On The Stone Door Trail In Tennessee
Fall Creek Falls State Park, 2009 Village Camp Rd, Spencer, TN 38585, USA
Fall Creek Falls is located in the aptly named Fall Creek Falls State Park, it is 256 feet tall and one of the highest waterfalls found east of the Mississippi. Visitors can hike to the stunning spot, which takes roughly an hour and a half to complete. This is one natural wonder that requires a bit of elbow grease to get to, but visitors rave about its isolated beauty.
Sewanee Natural Bridge, Sewanee, TN 37375, USA
The Sewanee Natural Bridge is a natural sandstone arch near the town of Sewanee that rises 25 feet in the air and spans 50 feet in total. It was formed by a giant sinkhole that eroded away at the rock over thousands of years, and you can see it for yourself just by hiking a quarter-mile into the forest of Franklin County.
Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA
Umbrella Rock is one of the most forgotten natural wonders in the Volunteer State, mainly because it is overshadowed by its location next to Lookout Mountain, a popular tourist attraction for Georgia and Tennessee residents alike. The quirky natural rock feature can be seen as you hike up Lookout Mountain, but it cannot be approached for safety reasons. Take photos instead, friends!
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a wonder in itself for the route's narrow trail and expansive scenery. The six-mile hiking loop provides some of the most beautiful views of streams, mountains, and rock features in Tennessee, and it is located just beyond Gatlinburg. There are historic buildings along the hiking trail as well, so you can see how Tennessee grew out of its natural state.
What a beautiful way to experience the natural wonders of Tennessee! How many of these natural wonders have you knocked off your bucket list?
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Featured Addresses
Tuckaleechee Caverns, 825 Cavern Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Reelfoot Lake State Park, 2595 TN-21 E, Tiptonville, TN 38079, USA
Honey Creek Loop Road, Honey Creek Loop Rd, Tennessee, USA
Fall Creek Falls State Park, 2009 Village Camp Rd, Spencer, TN 38585, USA
Sewanee Natural Bridge, Sewanee, TN 37375, USA
Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA