Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau is hiding some of the state’s most incredible natural wonders, and they’re just waiting to be explored!
Picture towering waterfalls crashing into deep rocky pools, massive sandstone arches, jaw-dropping canyon overlooks, and forest trails leading to places you’d never expect to find in Tennessee.
The best part is that you can experience it all on one epic road trip, so here’s where to stop, what to see, and which hidden gems you won’t want to miss!
1. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park stretches across roughly 24,000 acres of forested mountains and historic trails where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet.
It protects Cumberland Gap, a natural mountain passage long used by Native Americans and later by pioneers traveling west along the Wilderness Road in the 1700s.
For a closer look at the area’s scenery, drive to Pinnacle Overlook, where you can enjoy picture-perfect views of three states, rolling valleys, and distant mountain peaks.
You can also hike portions of the park’s 85 miles of trails, take a guided tour of Gap Cave to see its fascinating stalagmites, or step back in time at the historic Hensley Settlement.
2. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Next up, drive 2 hours and 20 minutes to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, which spans 125,000 acres across Tennessee and Kentucky.
Start your visit with the Twin Arches Loop Trail, a 4.6-mile hike that takes you past two massive sandstone formations, including the impressive 103-foot-tall South Arch.
Afterward, head to East Rim Overlook for breathtaking views of the deep gorge carved into the Cumberland Plateau, with the river flowing hundreds of feet below.
For more adventure, try fishing and whitewater rafting, horseback riding through scenic forest trails, or exploring the historic Blue Heron Mining Community.
3. Historic Rugby
After Big South Fork, take an hour-long drive to Historic Rugby, a Victorian village founded in 1880 by British author Thomas Hughes atop the Cumberland Plateau.
It was meant to offer new opportunities to younger sons of British families who couldn’t inherit their family estates, and many of its original buildings remain today.
Tour the 1882 Thomas Hughes Free Public Library, which holds thousands of historic books, and step inside Kingstone Lisle, a restored cottage filled with period furnishings.
Don’t miss Christ Church Episcopal, built in 1887, or the Rugby Commissary, where you can browse local crafts and gifts before continuing your road trip.
4. Frozen Head State Park
Leave Historic Rugby behind and drive 45 minutes to Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, where 24,000 acres of lush forests, rugged mountains, and waterfalls offer plenty to explore.
The park gets its unusual name from 3,324-foot Frozen Head Mountain, whose summit often turns white with snow during winter while the lower slopes stay green.
If you’re up for a hike, follow the 2.4-mile Emory Gap Trail to a beautiful 25-foot waterfall, or tackle the challenging 12.8-mile Lookout Tower Trail for incredible views of the Cumberland Mountains.
For a dose of history, stop by the Stonecipher-Kelly Homeplace, a log house dating back to 1814 that remains the oldest standing home in Morgan County.
(At the time of writing, Frozen Head State Park is undergoing major renovations, so check the park’s website for updates on closures and reopenings before visiting.)
5. Ozone Falls State Natural Area
Just 50 minutes from Frozen Head, Ozone Falls State Natural Area covers 43 acres and sits just off Interstate 40, making it one of the easiest stops on your road trip.
Here, you’ll find a spectacular 110-foot waterfall plunging over a sandstone cliff into a rocky pool, surrounded by massive boulders.
For a closer look, follow the 0.3-mile Ozone Falls Trail down to the base, or take a short walk from the parking area to snap photos of the cascade from above.
Fun fact: Ozone Falls appeared in Disney’s 1994 live-action movie The Jungle Book, adding a touch of Hollywood magic to this gorgeous place.
6. Fall Creek Falls State Park
If Ozone Falls left you wanting more, drive an hour to Fall Creek Falls State Park, home to a stunning 256-foot waterfall that’s one of the tallest in the eastern United States.
To see it up close, follow the 0.35-mile Base of Falls Trail from the overlook down to the bottom, where you can take in its impressive height before tackling the steep climb back.
For something more strenuous, try the challenging 0.10-mile Cable Trail, which leads to the base of 85-foot Cane Creek Falls and 125-foot Rockhouse Falls.
With 29,800 acres of rugged landscapes, deep gorges, quiet forests, and outdoor adventures, there’s plenty here to keep you busy for an entire day.
7. Savage Gulf State Park
Up next, drive an hour to Savage Gulf State Park, where 19,000 acres of sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and old-growth forests stretch across the Cumberland Plateau.
One of the park’s biggest highlights is Stone Door, a 10-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep crack in the cliffs that forms a natural staircase leading down into the gorge.
You can see it for yourself on the 2-mile round-trip Stone Door Trail, which starts with a short paved section before winding through the forest to amazing overlooks.
For another hike, tackle the 6.1-mile Collins Rim Trail, which follows the edge of the plateau and offers unforgettable views of Collins River Gulf and the landscape below.
8. South Cumberland State Park
From Savage Gulf, drive 35 minutes to South Cumberland State Park, featuring impressive sandstone arches, beautiful waterfalls, and peaceful forest trails.
It covers more than 12,000 acres across several separate areas, making it a great place to explore different landscapes throughout southeastern Tennessee.
You can tackle the 12.5-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail from Tracy City to Foster Falls, passing massive boulders and the beautiful Sycamore Falls along the way.
If you’re looking for something shorter, try the 2.3-mile Grundy Day Loop Trail, which takes you past scenic spots like Blue Hole Falls, Hanes Hole Falls, and Sycamore Falls.
9. Foster Falls
Since Foster Falls deserves more than a quick mention, save this incredible 60-foot waterfall, the tallest in South Cumberland State Park, for your final stop.
It drops over a curved sandstone cliff into a deep pool surrounded by towering trees, making it one of the best places to capture photos along the Cumberland Plateau.
Follow the 0.4-mile Foster Falls Overlook Trail for a short, scenic walk that rewards you with beautiful views of the cascade and the rocky gorge below.
For a closer look, follow the steep trail down to the base, where you can cool off in the swimming hole, cross a swinging bridge, and watch rock climbers scale the cliffs.
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