Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In Tennessee

The beauty of Tennessee is really only as impressive as you make it, and sometimes it can be a bit difficult to stand in awe of the natural wonders and local beauty when you haven’t seen it for yourself. The entire state is rife with rugged, natural beauty, and we’ve gone ahead and put together a hidden gems road trip that will take you to some of the most impressive sites in Tennessee. There’s no need to wait any longer, friends. Take a weekend to enjoy the beauty of the Volunteer State — we’ve done all the planning for you!

If you’d like to make the trip for yourself we’ve included our map. Have fun, finding all these hidden gems in Tennessee.

GoogleMaps

Here you can see the exact route we recommend to visit each of these natural wonders in Tennessee. Of course, you'll have to change as you see fit depending upon where you begin your trek.

LeConte Lodge, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

LeConte Lodge - Facebook

You can only reach LeConte Lodge high, high atop Mount LeConte by hiking, and it's potentially one of the preeminent outdoorsy experiences here in Tennessee. There's a waiting list, but you can choose to spend the night at the lodge in one of the on-site rustic cabins. Because that view from the mountaintop is unlike any other. You may have to hike to get up the mountain but that makes the sunrise you will experience early in the morning completely worth it. Make sure to visit the Leconte Lodge website to get your name on the list and book your own mountaintop adventure.

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Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Timothy Wildey - Flickr

The Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a scenic drive that cuts straight through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. You can begin in Gatlinburg, and the six-mile experience will give you views of historic buildings, as well as waterways and scenic lookouts. The whole drive is absolutely beautiful and a must for any visit to the Smoky Mountains. You can also extend your trip by stopping and hiking to Grotto Falls. You could even continue beyond the waterfall further up the mountain and eventually make it to our first hidden gem, The LeConte Lodge. For more information about the single lane Roaring Fork Motor Trail, please visit the national park page.

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Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, 4605 Pickett Park Hwy, Jamestown, TN 38556, USA

Jacob Ian Wall - Flickr

The Hidden Passage Trail Loop is located in Pickett CCC Memorial State Park and is considered to be a moderate hiking trail. At eight miles total, it offers a fabulous opportunity to take a peek at local wildlife while enjoying the beauty of the area around you. Keep in mind, the elevation gain is a solid 938 feet! The Hidden Passage Trail is a wonderful hidden gem within the park. If you want to take a break from the road trip and stay up late, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is also an International Dark Sky Park. So when the stars come out, you can witness a spectacular show. Please visit the Pickett CCC Memorial State Park website for any more information.

Anthony Brown/ Alltrails

Window Cliffs is a state protected natural area that's made up of 275 acres. You'll find it just 18 miles south of Cookeville and just a stone's throw from Burgess Falls State Natural Area. The beauty of the trail is unmatched, and you'll have the chance to view everything from small cascades to a 20-foot waterfall along Cane Creek. The Window Cliffs Trail may take some work to hike, but the views are completely worth it. For more information and anything else you might need to plan your trip, please visit the Window Cliffs website.

Martina Müller/ Google

Port Royal State Park is a small historic site that's located in the heart of the mid-state. You'll have the chance to enjoy the scenery while learning about the Volunteer State's speckled past. Unique and thoughtfully constructed, it's a beautiful natural space that is usually forgotten in Tennessee. Pairing both history and a natural outside space, Port Royal State Historic Park is worth the visit for any history buff. For more information about the park please visit the Port Royal State Historic Park state park page.

Meriwether Lewis National Monument, Hohenwald, TN 38462, USA

Skye Marthaler/Wikipedia

Although perhaps *not* quite a natural wonder, the gravesite of Meriwether Lewis is located on the stunning Natchez Trace. A quiet country road hides one of the most historic graves in Tennessee. Check out the mysterious story of the death Meriwether Lewis; it's a chilling unsolved tale of a great man. The Natchez Trace is a very scenic drive that is worthy of its own road trip too.

How many of these local wonders have you experienced here in the Volunteer State? How many of these hidden gems in Tennessee did you know about? Make sure you leave your own additions and experiences in the comments below!

If you’re looking for more beauty in Tennessee, you should check out these 5 natural wonders that are stunning in the wintertime.