Here are a few places you may wish to visit during your stay in Tellico Plains. We really put this report together for the benefit of our sons when they have opportunity to visit us from Texas or California. We thought it would help us plan day trips while they are here. The places are first arranged by direction from Tellico Plains, then by distance. Hopefully, this order will make it easier to plan side trips. Hope this makes your stay more enjoyable! For more information, click on the name of the destination. (Works in most cases!)
| ---To the East--- |
| Place | Distance (miles) |
| Town | Travel Time (hrs) | Visit time | Cost |
| Charles Hall Museum | 3 |
| Tellico Plains |
| 0.1 |
| 1 to 2 hours |
| $0.00 |
|
The Charles Hall Museum is 5000 square feet of local history. It consists of
guns, a telephone collection, and a coin collection, among other items. You can
also find antiques that were used by Tellico residents over the years. Also on
display is a collection of historical photos of the area. The museum has been a
life long dream of Charles Hall, and now he gets great pleasure in showing his
collections to the public. Open 9 to 5 Daily.
|
| Bald River Falls | 14 |
| Tellico Plains |
| 0.5 |
| 15-30 minutes |
| $0.00 |
| Extremely beautiful 100-foot waterfall. No hiking required. On Tellico River Road. There is a trail leading to the top of the falls. |
| Fish Hatchery | 23 |
| Tellico Plains |
| 0.75 |
| 30 min to 1 hour |
| $0.00 |
| Pheasant Fields Fish Rearing Pools. View thousands of young trout in rearing pools getting ready to be released in streams and rivers. Drive up Tellico River Road. (about 9 miles past Bald River Falls) |
| Falls Branch Falls | 24 |
| Tellico Plains |
| 1 |
| 2-3 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Very impressive 60-foot waterfall. Some consider it to be one of the prettiest in the state. Take Cherohala Skyway. Trailhead parking area is 3/4 mile beyond the "Charles Hall Bridge" (~ 7 miles beyond the Indian Boundary road). Walk about 100 feet to an intersecting trail, go left. Trail will "Y" after about 30 minutes or so. Stay right. (If you go left, it takes you back to the bridge.) The last 20 minutes or so is pretty steep. Take this into account on your way back! |
| Huckleberry Knob | 35 | Tellico Plains | 1 | 1 hour | $0.00 | |||||
| At 5300 feet, this easy hike is over 1 mile above sea level. After 20 minutes or so, you cross a "bald" area. (Lots of wild strawberries grow here.) Continue through another wooded area to a second "bald." The view from this second bald is spectacular. You will also find the grave of a man who got lost in the mountains and died from exposure over 100 years ago. Take Cherohala Skyway. Park in the first area (on left) past Hooper Bald parking area. There are restrooms at the Hooper Bald parking area. | ||||||||||
| Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest | 42 |
| Robbinsville, NC |
| 1 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $0.00 | |
| Beautiful easy hike along mountain creeks and through Virgin Forest (i.e., never been logged). Huge Poplar, White Pine, and Hemlock trees. |
| Cherohala Skyway | 50 | Tellico Plains | 0.25 | 2 hours | $0.00 | |||||
| Beautiful 50-mile drive between Tellico Plains and Robinsville, NC. Road climbs over 1 mile above sea level. Several pull-over stops to allow viewing fabulous views of mountains. | ||||||||||
| Fontana Dam | 67 |
| Fontana, NC |
| 2 |
| 1 hour |
| $0.00 | |
| Highest Dam east of Hoover Dam. Beautiful TVA dam and lake. About 30 miles (allow 1 hour on mountain roads) from Joyce Kilmer. |
| Cherokee Indian Reservation | 97 |
| Cherokee, NC |
| 2.5 |
| 1 hour |
| $0.00 |
| Museum ($8), gift stores, souvenirs. Very close to entrance to Blue Ridge Parkway. |
| Oconaluftee Indian Village (replica of 250-year-old village) is open Mid-May to Mid-October, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. $13.00. |
| Unto These Hills drama in outdoor amphi-theater is produced Mid-June to Late-August at 8:30 PM. Tickets: $16 and $18. |
| Blue Ridge Parkway Entrance | 100 |
| Cherokee, NC |
| 2.5 |
| 2-3 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Drive as long as you wish toward Ashville. Incredible overlooks/views of mountains far as the eye can see. |
| ---To the North--- |
| Place | Distance (miles) |
| Town | Travel Time (hrs) | Visit time | Cost |
| Fort Loudoun | 24 |
| Vonore, TN |
| 0.5 |
| 1 hour |
| $0.00 |
| Reconstructed site from French and Indian Wars. Interesting artifacts, historical reconstructions, etc. The fort itself is open for walk though and is reconstructed to resemble the original. Overlooks Tellico Lake. Nice picnic areas too. Small beach on the lake is open for swimming in summer. |
| Sequoyah Museum | 26 |
| Vonore, TN |
| 0.5 |
| 1 hour |
| $8.00 |
| Museum of Cherokee Indian Chief who invented Cherokee alphabet. |
| Sweetvalley Farm Cheese Factory | 31 |
|
Philadelphia, TN |
|
0.75 |
|
1 hour |
|
$0.00 | |
| Take a walking tour the dairy farm. Call to make sure they are available (865.458.9192) Taste the cheese. | ||||||||||
| University of Tennessee | 58 |
| Knoxville |
| 1.5 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $0.00 | |
| Large University Campus. One of largest football stadiums in the world (averages about 107,000 fans per game). Nice Library, McClung Museum, etc. |
| Oak Ridge | 70 |
| Oak Ridge |
| 1.5 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Nice Museum of energy, includes history of building the atomic bomb during WW2. You can also see the original graphite reactor and view of one of the original plants. | |
| Big South Fork | 125 |
| Oneida, TN |
| 2.5 |
| 2-4 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Beautiful river, gorges, overlooks. | |
| Cumberland Gap (TN, KY, VA) | 130 |
| Cumberland Gap, TN |
| 2.5 |
| 2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| See where Daniel Boone crossed into Kentucky, opening the west. Nice Museum/Welcoming Center. Short drive to a fabulous overlook, very short and easy walk to the overlook. |
| Cumberland Falls, KY | 142 |
| Corbin, KY |
| 3 |
| 2-4 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Beautiful waterfalls, river, trails along river (on both sides of the river) lead to overlooks and scenic views. |
| ---To the Northeast--- |
| Place | Distance (miles) |
| Town | Travel Time (hrs) | Visit time | Cost |
| Foothills Parkway | 41 |
| Tallassee |
| 1 |
| 45 min to 1 hr. |
| $0.00 |
| Beautiful drive with overlooks and majestic views of the Great Smokies. Far end of the road is about 20 miles (1 hour) from Cades Cove. Turn right on Highway 72 (just past Vonore and the bridge over Tellico Lake). Go about 9 miles. Road joins Highway 129. Stay right. Go about 7 miles to left turn onto the Foothills Parkway which runs into highway 321 after 16 miles. Turn right on 321 to Townsend. |
| Tuckaleechee Caverns | 60 |
| Townsend, TN |
| 1.5 |
| 1.5 hours |
| $11.00 |
| Very nice large caves. Very few "close" places (i.e., very spacious). An underground creek runs throughout. Small underground waterfall near end of tour. |
| Pigeon Forge | 80 |
| Pigeon Forge |
| 2 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Known for shopping outlets and Dollywood (admission for adults: $42.40). Many other attractions cost varying amounts. 7 miles (15 minutes) from Gatlinburg. |
| Laurel Falls | 80 |
| Gatlinburg |
| 2.5 |
| 2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| 2.5 mile hike (round trip). Pretty falls. Easy hike. Falls are 60 feet high. From Sugarlands visitors center, drive 3.7 miles toward Townsend on the Little River Road. |
| Cades Cove | 83 |
| Townsend |
| 2.5 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Beautiful valley surrounded by peaceful mountains. Several interesting homes, churches, etc from 100 years ago. Deer usually seen. Bears occasionally. Moderately strenuous hike to Abrams Falls from loop road takes 1-2 additional hours. (83 miles assumes Foothills parkway to Townsend.) |
| Gatlinburg | 84 |
| Gatlinburg |
| 2.5 |
| 1-3 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Visit can take as much time as you want to browse the shops. 36 miles (about an hour) from Cades Cove (road winds along scenic Little River). 7 miles (15 minutes) from Pigeon Forge. |
| Abrams Falls | 85 |
| Townsend |
| 2.5 |
| 3 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Begin off Cades Cove Loop Road. 5 miles (round trip). Moderately difficult. (If you're not in shape, walk slowly!) Large water volume at this beautiful waterfall. |
| Grotto Falls | 87 |
| Gatlinburg |
| 2.5 |
| 2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| This was always a favorite of our boys. Only waterfalls in the Smokies you can walk behind. When they were younger, our sons enjoyed(?) getting in the frigid water under the waterfalls. Easy to Moderate 2.5 mile (round trip) hike. |
| Ramsey Cascades | 90 |
| Gatlinburg |
| 3 |
| 5-6 hours |
| $0.00 |
| This 8-mile (round trip) hike is one of the more difficult, but also one of the most rewarding. On a hot summer day, this 90-foot cascade feel like strong air-conditioning. Most of the hike to the falls is fairly steep uphill. Go VERY SLOWLY unless you are in great shape! It will seem much farther than it really is! Take Hwy 321 north from Gatlinburg 5 miles to Greenbriar ranger station. |
| Rainbow Falls | 90 |
| Gatlinburg |
| 3 |
| 3 hours |
| $0.00 |
| 5.5 mile hike (round trip). Moderately difficult. Very nice waterfalls. At 80 feet high, it is the highest straight down waterfall in the Smokies. |
| ---To the South--- |
| Place | Distance (miles) |
| Town | Travel Time (hrs) | Visit time | Cost |
| Conasauga Falls | 10 |
| Tellico Plains |
| 0.5 |
| 2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Drive toward Coker Creek. Pass Steer Creek road, turn right on the road that used to be highway 68 before the new three lane road begins. Drive up the mountain a little over one mile until the pavement ends (not the first unpaved curved). The road turns 90 degrees right and is no longer paved. Drive about 1.3 miles to 341A (after 341B). Turn right on 341A and drive about 1/2 mile to the end of the road and the trailhead. It takes about 30 minutes to hike into the falls. Allow 40 minutes to hike back out (all uphill!). |
| Coker Creek Falls | 17 |
| Coker Creek |
| 0.5 |
| 2 to 3 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Seven stair-step falls. Turn right at Ironsburg Methodist Church (14 miles from our home). Take a left on 626 at the cemetery. After about 0.6 miles, you will pass 625 (don't turn here!). Drive about 2.3 more miles, then turn left on 2138. Drive about 1 more mile to the parking area. There is a brief hike to several really pretty views of the cascades and falls. You can hike another 3-4 miles and finally get to the Hiwassee River. This is a fairly difficult hike. Lots of switchbacks up and down hills, some overgrowth, logs and creeks to cross, etc. When you get to the road, walk about 1/4 mile and turn left onto the trail that overlooks the Hiwassee River. |
| Waucheesi Mountain | 18 |
| Tellico Plains |
| 1 |
| 1 hour |
| $0.00 |
|
The view is pretty awesome from the top of Waucheesi Mountain. On a clear day, if you know just where to look, you can spot our house (9 miles away as the crow flies) with binoculars.
You can also see (with binoculars) the Kingston Steam Plant towers (45 miles
away) and the Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant (40 miles).
As of May, 2003, the narrow road to the top is passable in a car, although it is
a little rough in a few places. (A vehicle built higher off the ground is best.) Take Highway 68 south toward Coker Creek. Turn left at Smithfield Road (Watch for the "Altoona Baptist Church" sign.) After several miles, the paved road becomes a gravel road. Take the next right (about 1/2 mile--Bald River Road). Drive about 3 more miles and take the next right (Tower Road). Drive about 1.5 miles to the top. |
| Buck Bald | 19 |
| Coker Creek |
| 0.5 |
| 30 minutes |
| $0.00 |
| Beautiful 360 degree panoramic view of mountains of SE Tennessee. 30 x 50 foot Bible atop hill at Fields of the Woods (~ 7 miles as-the-crow-flies) is visible with binoculars. |
| Fields of the Wood | 30 |
| Turtletown |
| 1.5 |
| 1 hour |
| $0.00 |
| Good pix and views of 10 Commandments on hill side. The "tablets" are 300 feet wide, with 5-foot tall letters spelling out the commandments. Drive or walk to the top to the large open Bible (30 ft. by 50 ft.). Gift shop. Lots of monuments with Bible verses. Replica of Golgotha and Empty Tomb. Retreat center for Churches of God. About 7 miles (15 minutes) from Hiwassee Dam. |
| Hiwassee Dam | 40 |
| Hiwassee, NC |
| 1.75 |
| 1 hour |
| $0.00 |
| Nice pix and view of TVA dam and peaceful Lake. Only 15 minutes (7 miles) from Fields of the Wood. Tours are (used to be?) given during regular business hours. |
| Ocoee River Road | 56 |
| Ducktown |
| 1.5 |
| 30 minutes-1 hour |
| $0.00 |
| Visitors Center where 1996 White Water Olympics events were held. Nice short walks along the river side. Pretty drive. |
| Tennessee Aquarium | 93 |
| Chattanooga |
| 2 |
| 2 hours |
| $14.00 |
| Very Nice modern aquarium that follows aquatic life from sources of Tennessee River to Gulf of Mexico. 7 miles (15 minutes) from Rock City Gardens. Also houses IMAX theater. ($7.75 for one movie; $11.75 for two. Movies are ~45 minutes long.) |
| Rock City Gardens | 97 |
| Chattanooga |
| 2 |
| 2 hours |
| $13.00 |
| Unusual huge rock formations, narrow passageways, swinging bridge, fairyland caverns, etc. (3 miles [10 minutes] from Point park) |
| Point Park | 100 |
| Lookout |
| 2 |
| 1/2 to 1 hour |
| $0.00 |
| Civil War cannons overlooking city of Chattanooga. Great view of Moccasin Bend in TN river. (3 miles [10 minutes] from Rock City Gardens.) |
| ---To the Southeast--- |
| Place | Distance (miles) |
| Town | Travel Time (hrs) | Visit time | Cost |
| Tallulah Falls and Gorge | 112 |
| Tallulah Falls, |
| 3 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $0.00 |
| Nice views of cataracts and waterfalls from short trail. "Rim trail" leads to several overlooks. |
| ---To the West--- |
| Place | Distance (miles) |
| Town | Travel Time (hrs) | Visit time | Cost |
| Lost Sea | 18 |
| Sweetwater |
| 0.5 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $12.00 |
| Nice caves [large open spaces]. Largest American underground lake (4.5 acres). Ride on glass bottom boats to see fish. Once designated as community nuclear fallout shelter. Open 9:00 AM. Closes 5:00; 6:00; or 7:00 seasonally. |
| Russell Stover Candy Outlet | 28 |
| Athens |
| 0.5 |
| 30 minutes |
| $0.00 |
| Sample candy pieces. Buy inexpensive "seconds" or more expensive boxes of candy. |
| Mayfield Dairy | 24 |
| Athens |
| 0.5 |
| 30 minutes |
| $0.00 | |
| Tour the factory. Watch milk being put into jugs for delivery. Buy Ice Cream. | ||||||||||
| Watts Bar Dam and Nuclear Plant | 42 |
| Spring City |
| 1 |
| 30 minutes to 1 |
| $0.00 | |
| TVA lake and nuclear power plant. |
| Rhea County Courthouse | 63 | Dayton | 1.5 | 1-2 hours | $0.00 | |||||
| Site of the infamous Scopes "monkey" trial. You can visit the actual courtroom where the trial took place in 1925. A small museum in the courthouse basement chronicles the events. More information is available at nearby Bryan College. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Take Highway 68 to Highway 27 near Spring City, Turn left on 27 to Dayton. | ||||||||||
| Fall Creek Falls | 100 |
| Pikeville, TN |
| 2.5 |
| 1-2 hours |
| $0.00 | |
| Highest waterfall east of Mississippi (256 feet). Nice trails. Views of several other very beautiful falls and creeks. Visitors center. You may hike to the bottom of the falls, but it can be difficult to hike back out if you are out of shape! Nice paved trails along lake and through woods for walking or biking. (Take Hwy 30 from Athens to Pikeville.) | |
| South Cumberland State Park | 138 |
| Monteagle, TN |
| 2.5 |
| 1-4 hours |
| $0.00 |
|
Nice waterfalls (Foster Falls, Greeter Falls, Savage Falls),
gorges ("Savage Gulf"), cliffs, "Great Stone Door", natural bridge (near
Sewanee). Take I-75 from Sweetwater to Chattanooga, then I-24 toward Nashville.
Park is divided into several different "areas." To see all the areas, you must
drive a few miles from one to the next.
|