Mountains, caves, and waterfallsoh my!
To spend more time in the Smokies, continue south from the airport to Townsend.
But with itsample restaurantsand cute downtown, Knoxville is worth a day of your time.
Credit: Andy Anderson
About 20 miles southeast of TYS, Townsend is a great small town to use as your basecamp.
see to it to stop atRoan Mountain State Parkand drive to the top of its namesake 6,285-foot peak.
In June, youll find the worlds largest natural rhododendron garden blooming there as well.
Find 360-degree views from the fourth-floor observation tower of Knoxville’s Sunsphere.Credit:City of Knoxville
Another scenic stop is South Holston Lake, which borders the Cherokee National Forest.
The tailwater side of the dam that forms the lake is a fly fishing paradise.
Youll also find a 1.8-mile wildlife loop trail on Osceola Island just below the dam.
Cades Cove is an 11-mile scenic loop drive through Smokies beauty.Credit: Dennis Govoni / Getty Images
For a treat, stay in theOlde Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast1800s tongue-and-groove wood house.
The trek is about three-quarters of a mile.
Plan to drive into the park as well to see gorgeous mountain views at Pinnacles Overlook.
In June, catch the rhododendrons blooming on Roan Mountain.Credit: Getty Images / Malcolm MacGregor
Founded in 1880 by English author Thomas Hughes, this Appalachian town comes with unexpected British Isle charm.
Tour the several remaining Victorian-style buildings as you learn about the towns quirky history.
A stay in Rugby also puts you at the front door ofBig South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Pinnacles Overlook offers a beautiful view of the town of Cumberland Gap.Credit:Korrin Bishop
This 125,000-acre park is filled with impressive sandstone cliffs and arches, waterfalls, caves, and babbling rivers.
TheTennessee waterfallplunges more than 60 feet from a picturesque rock shelf.
you could access it via a 1.5-mile loop trail.
Plan to enjoy a picnic in the shade of Rugby’s impressive sandstone cliffs.Credit:Arnita Sitasari Gray
TheTennessee lakeis formed off the Caney Fork River and fills 18,220 acres.
There areseveral campgroundsthroughout the area, so plan for an evening of smores and campfire tales.
Burgess Falls in particular is worth a visit during this road trip stop.
Find Burgess Falls State Park on the edge of Center Hill Lake.Credit:Tara Hunt
The 130-foot waterfall plummets into a deep gorge.
Hike through its 29,800 acres of virgin hardwood forests and Cumberland Plateau gorges.
Youll also find a nature center and a golf course.
Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee has stunning cascades.Credit: Tennessee State Parks Department
double-check to check out Greeter Falls, accessible via a one-mile round trip out-and-back hike.
Stone Door is another scenic spot in the park.
The formation is a 10-foot wide, 100-foot deep crack through a sandstone escarpment into a gorge.
Ruby Falls is the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the U.S.Credit:Ruby Falls
you might reach it via an out-and-back hike thats about two miles and also passes the Laurel Gulf Overlook.
Theres a parking area for an overlook of the Tennessee River Gorge just off Game Reserve Road.
Once in Chattanooga, enjoy its riverside walkways and parks, as well as other scenic road trip stops.
Stop in Cherokee National Forest to glimpse Conasauga Falls.Credit:Victoria Stamey, VS Outdoor Snaps
Plan to visit Lookout Mountain and its mysticalRuby Falls.
About 80 miles northeast of Chattanooga, add Conasauga Falls to your waterfall bucket list.
This three-tiered cascade is located in Cherokee National Forest via a 1.5-mile hike out and back.
Knoxville is often referred to as the Gateway to the Smokies.Credit: Kruck20 / Getty Images
you could also take a walking tour through the caverns or follow the self-guided Nature Trail.
From Sweetwater, the Knoxville airport is only a 45-minute drive.
