National Parks: Tennessee's Treasures

For the last couple of months, I have been sharing my many experiences of traveling in and around Tennessee with readers online.  I am the Knoxville Day Trips Examiner on examiner.com and I also write an occasional story for the Knoxville News-Sentinel . 

It just occurred to me, that I should be sharing these experiences with fellow National Park Lovers on Gather.com, too.  I haven't really done much on Gather, but I guess it's time to start. 

In East Tennessee, we are truly blessed with opportunities to visit National Parks and other Federally protected areas. 

The Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited National Park.  This year the park is celebrating its 75th Anniversary.  I've spent many a day taking in the view from Newfound Gap and Clingman's Dome and watching the abundance of wildlife in Cades Cove.  

Just a couple of hours away from GSMNP, you'll find Cumberland Gap National Historical Park a beautiful park located where TN, VA & KY come together.  This is where Daniel Boone took tens of thousands of people into the West. 

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is a park more people are learning about, but it's still nowhere near as crowded as the Smokies.  The park has a deep gorge, whitewater rapids, natural bridges, waterfalls and much, much more.

Chattanooga/Chickamauga National Military Park is in both TN and GA.  Here you can get a bird's eye view of Chattanooga and walk along an expansive battlefield where the Confederate Forces had their last major victory.

East Tennessee is also home to the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site which consists of his homes, tailor shop and gravesite.  All are located in Downtown Greeneville, one of the state's oldest and most beautiful towns.

Finally, there is the Cherokee National Forest which makes up most of the state's eastern border. This is an expansive wilderness with mountain lakes, waterfalls, high mountains and wild whitewater rapids.

Here are links to a few of my stories.   I hope to get on and share even more about these wonderful places with everyone later.  Enjoy.

National Park Articles:

Clingman's Dome

Newfound Gap

Cumberland Gap NHP

Point Park: Chattanooga

Chickamauga Battlefield

Cherohala Skyway