Take a tour of Beautiful Tennessee: Our Scenic Waterways
Nashville Public Television presents Beautiful Tennessee: Our Scenic Waterways, an hour-long documentary narrated by country music songwriter Kathy Mattea. Explore the waterways and places featured in the documentary by selecting numbers on the map above and view scenic photos in the gallery.
Pledge now to receive your copy of the VHS or DVD.
1. Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the western boundary of state and the largest river in North America. Forty-one percent of the continental United States drains into this massive waterway. Along the banks of the Mississippi are found some of the most fertile lands in Tennessee.
In the Northwest corner of our state Reelfoot Lake was formed from floodwaters of the Mississippi River during a series of earthquakes in the early 19th Century.
There are four state parks that feature the beauty, history and impact of the Mississippi River on Tennessee.
Links:
Tennessee State Parks – Reelfoot Lake
Tennessee Natural Areas – Fort Pillow
Tennessee Natural Areas – Meeman Shelby
Tennessee Natural Areas – Fuller
1. Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the western boundary of state and the largest river in North America. Forty-one percent of the continental United States drains into this massive waterway. Along the banks of the Mississippi are found some of the most fertile lands in Tennessee.
In the Northwest corner of our state Reelfoot Lake was formed from floodwaters of the Mississippi River during a series of earthquakes in the early 19th Century.
There are four state parks that feature the beauty, history and impact of the Mississippi River on Tennessee.
Links:
Tennessee State Parks – Reelfoot Lake
Tennessee Natural Areas – Fort Pillow Tennessee Natural Areas – Meeman-Shelby Tennessee Natural Areas – T.O. Fuller2. Wolf River
75 Miles outside of Memphis, the Wolf River is a truly unique western Tennessee gem. In Fayette County, a 2,200 acre area of the Wolf has been protected for its wild scenic beauty and recreational value. The Ghost River State Natural Area offers access to boaters looking to test their navigational skills on the Ghost section of the Wolf River. This portion of the river highlights tupelo cypress swamps and an undefined river path. The area is managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Links:
Tennessee State Parks – Ghost River
Tennessee State Parks – Wolf River3. Hatchie River
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
6772 Highway 76 South
Stanton, TN 38069
Phone: (731) 772-0501
The Hatchie River is the last unchanneled tributary of the Lower Mississippi. Most of West Tennessee’s rivers have been channeled and augmented to manage flood waters and provide irrigation to the many farms of this fertile region.
The Hatchie is a treasure of wild scenic beauty and almost 12,000 acres of its wetland and wooded banks are now protected as the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is a crucial resting place for migratory birds making their journey across North America.
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4. Hurricane Mills
Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch
1877 Hurricane Mills Rd.
Hurricane Mills, TN 37078
Phone: (931) 296-7700
Hurricane Mills Tennessee, a rural community just west of Dickson, was founded in the early 1800’s and subsisted on the iron industry until the economy shifted towards the development of the flour mill.
The Hurricane Mill ground various grains brought in from the region. The flour was then distributed throughout the Southern US.
The mill that stands today was built in the 1890’s. The site is owned and operated as a museum by country singer Loretta Lynn, a resident of Hurricane Mills since 1966. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, and as part of Loretta Lynn’s estate, is the seventh most visited tourist attraction in Tennessee.
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Loretta Lynn Ranch5. Duck River
The Duck River, cutting 270 miles across middle Tennessee, is the longest river completely held within the borders of our state. It is also one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the world.
The Duck supports over 100 species of fish, 20 species of aquatic snails and 50 species of freshwater mussels. There are more species of freshwater mussels in the Duck River than all the rivers on the European continent combined.
Links:
The Duck River Complex Duck River6. Falls Mill
Falls Mill
134 Falls Mill Road
Belvidere, TN 37306
Phone: (931)469-7161
Located in southern middle Tennessee, Falls Mill is in operation grinding corn for cornmeal and grits. The mill was built in 1873 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Initially, Falls Mill served as a cotton and wool factory.
The mills design integrates a historic 32 foot steel waterwheel. Manufactured by Samuel Fitz in the mid 1800’s, the wheel’s overshoot design and precise construction improved efficiency and allowed for year round operation.
Now privately owned and operated as a mill and museum, visitors can explore and enjoy the historic and scenic environment.
Link:
Falls Mill7. Rock Island State Park
Rock Island State Park
82 Beach Road
Rock Island , TN 38581-4200
Phone: (931) 686-2471
Rock Island State Park provides access to one of Tennessee’s many impressive waterfalls located on or near the Cumberland Plateau. Great Falls is located on the Caney Fork River just below the TVA power station. Above the dam, Center Hill Lake is accessible and offers ample fishing opportunities.
The park is also known for its recreational boating and numerous swimming holes frequented by locals and visitors alike.
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8. Burgess Falls
1Burgess Falls State Park
4000 Burgess Falls Drive
Sparta , TN 38583-8456
Phone: (931) 432-531
Burgess Falls State Park is another breathtaking waterfall on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. A short hike in Burgess Falls State Park reveals three cascades escalating in height and magnitude. While both the Upper and Middle falls are worth a visit, the Lower Falls (Burgess Falls) is spectacular.
After substantial rainfall, the lower falls is completely covered by cascading flows of water and is a masterful example of the power of water to sculpt and carve the rocky structure emblematic throughout the region.
The rocky bluffs and chiseled gorge below Burgess Falls represent the work of three geological periods and over 350 million years.
Links:9. Caney Fork River
Rock Island State Park
82 Beach Road
Rock Island , TN 38581-4200
Phone: (931) 686-2471
The Caney Fork River is known for fishing and boating opportunities. The river winds its way off the Cumberland Plateau and is a major tributary of the Cumberland River. Many motorists on I-40 are familiar with the Caney Fork, as it courses under numerous interstate bridges.
The Caney Fork is often stocked for trout fishing and runs through Rock Island State Park in Rock Island, Tennessee.
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10. Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls
1720 South Scenic Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37409
Phone: (423) 821-2544
As water journeys from East to West throughout Tennessee, as much water travels below ground as above. With over 8,000 caves discovered, Tennessee is the most cavernous state in the US.
Near Chattanooga, and 1120 feet beneath Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is one of the most famous cave attractions in the South East. Discovered by Leo Lambert in 1928, the upper caverns of Lookout Mountain revealed complex cave formations, and a 145 waterfall cascading through the rock.
After his initial discovery, Lambert returned to share the falls with several friends and his wife Ruby. Now, Ruby Falls has been open to the public for over 75 years and offers a glimpse of Tennessee’s vast network of caverns and geological wonders.
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11. Chattanooga
Chattanooga is an emblematic Tennessee river town. All of Tennessee’s major cities were established on the banks of a river. Chattanooga has spent 20 years re-centering community life around its historic riverfront.
From the Walnut Street Bridge, to the Tennessee Aquarium and a system of recreational parks extending along the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is drawing national recognition and over three million visitors each year.Links:
12. Ozone Falls
Ozone falls is located in the heart of the Cumberland Plateau and provides a breathtaking example of the many falls in the region. Its location in Cumberland County and proximity to I-40, make the falls an easily accessible scenic area for locals and visitors./p>
Ozone falls State Natural Area features the 110 foot falls and plunge pool below. Water below the falls feeds a natural spring which later resurfaces as Fall Creek.
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13. Hiwassee River
In 1968, Tennessee initiated legislation to preserve its most treasured scenic rivers outside the protection of parks. Tennessee’s first designated State Scenic River was the Hiawassee River, just outside of Cherokee National Forest.
Prior to the Trail of Tears, the Hiawassee River valley represented a significant settlement for the Cherokee. This fertile region provided a natural bounty for thousands of years. During the Cherokee removal of 1838, internment camps were created along its banks.
Today, the Hiawassee is enjoyed for its trophy trout fishing, recreational boating and breathtaking beauty. Its designation as a state scenic river, along with improved monitoring and dam releases by the Tennessee Valley Authority, make the Hiawassee one of the best fishable tail waters in the Eastern United States.
Eventually the Hiawassee feeds into the Tennessee River northeast of Chattanooga.
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14. Bald River Falls
Cherokee National Forest Headquarters
2800 N. Ocoee St.
Cleveland, TN 37312
Phone: (423) 476-9700
Bald River Falls is a jewel of the southern portion of Cherokee National Forest. Near Tellico Plains TN, Forest Service Road 210 drives directly below Bald River Falls and offers a popular spot for photographs.
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15. Laurel Falls
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 436-1200
In the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, the hike to Laurel Falls is one of the most popular. The trail to Laurel Falls is paved and welcoming to all ages of visitors.
During the short one and a half mile hike, the vegetation changes as the trail climbs upward, revealing the mountain laurel that lends its name to the falls.
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16. Doe River
Roan Mountain State Park
1015 Hwy 143
Roan Mountain , TN 37687
Phone: (423) 772-0190
In the eastern tip of Tennessee, near Roan Mountain State Park, the headwaters of the Doe River begin their journey westward towards Elizabethton. Along the way, the Doe River provides trout fishing opportunities and scenic beauty.
In the heart of Elizabethton, the oldest covered bridge in Tennessee crosses over the Doe River. The 134 foot covered bridge is one of four remaining in our state.
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17. Watauga Lake
In 1948, the Tennessee Valley Authority created Watauga Lake, just east of Elizabethton. Nestled in Cherokee National Forest and visible from the Appalachian Trail, the lake is the highest elevation freshwater reservoir in Tennessee.
The waters of Watauga Lake are strikingly clear and flanked by the undeveloped natural beauty of the Cherokee National Forest. Over 58 miles of shoreline are protected, making it one of the most pristine lakes in all of Tennessee.
Due to less accessible roads Watauga Lake sees fewer visitors than other Tennessee rivers and reservoirs. But boaters, swimmers and anglers who search out Watauga Lake are all rewarded by breathtaking views, smooth waters and ample fish.
The state’s record holding lake trout was caught here in 1994, weighing just over 20 pounds.
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Welcome
Take a tour of Tennessee’s most beautiful places.
Nashville Public Television presents Beautiful Tennessee, an hour-long documentary narrated by legendary country music songwriter Tom T. Hall. Pledge now to receive your copy of the VHS or DVD.
Explore the parks featured in the documentary by selecting numbers on the map above and view scenic photos in the gallery.