Nature Based Recreational Opportunities

Putnam and White Counties

Located on the eastern edge of the Eastern Highland Rim, the landscape of Burgess Falls, is considered to be rugged and dissected, characterized by sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, waterfalls, and diverse forest communities. The geology of Burgess Falls State Park attests to its high scenic value, and it boasts the most waterfalls within a two mile distance. Dropping almost 250 feet with a series of three cascades, the Falling Water River makes Burgess Falls a highly scenic waterfall. The last cascade is the most notable, as water plunges 130 feet into the gorge. The curtain of water is broken by protruding rocks about halfway down the cascade, creating a misty spray at the base of the falls.

Foot trails lead visitors through the 350 acre forested landscape of Burgess Falls State Park to scenic waterfalls and sheer bluffs. Burgess Falls can be reached by a steep trail that goes all the way to the edge of the falls with a stairway leading to the gorge. Fishing, hiking, and picnicking opportunities are plentiful in this State Park.

DeKalb, Putnam, Smith, Warren and White Counties

Visitors to Center Hill Lake will find that nearly all the shoreline is undeveloped, offering undisturbed natural scenery including clear water, rock bluffs, and three scenic waterfalls. Center Hill Lake covers 18,220 acres and extends 64 miles through five counties. Recreational activities are numerous, as three state parks and nine Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas are on the lake. State parks and other facilities include Edgar Evins State Park, Joe L. Evins Appalachian Center for Craft, Burgess Falls State Natural Area and Rock Island State Park are also located on the lake. Popular activities at Center Hill Lake include fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, canoeing, hunting, and horseback riding. Eight marinas are located on the lake for boating access. Exceptional fishing opportunities here are due in part to the efforts of TWRA and local anglers who have fashioned fish attractors by way of brush piles creating favorable habitat for fish. Fishermen will find smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass (white bass), catfish, bluegill, and walleye in the lake waters. The lake also offers brown trout, rainbow trout, paddlefish, spotted bass, and three types of crappie.

Clay, Jackson and Smith Counties

Cordell Hull Lake, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, is located on the Cumberland River and contains a dam supporting a hydroelectric plant about five miles upstream from Carthage. The lake was named after Nobel Peace Prize winner and statesman, Cordell Hull. Recreational activities are located at Roaring River, Wartrace Creek, and Defeated Creek, but not limited to these areas. Visitors to Cordell Hull Lake can enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, swimming, hunting, boating, and hiking. Sand swimming beaches, playgrounds, launching ramps, walking trails, bathrooms, picnic sites, and group picnic shelters are among the amenities available to visitors. There are also two commercial marinas on Cordell Hull Lake, and each provide services such as boat rentals, cabin rentals, fuel, snacks, a restaurant, and other customer needs. 

Cumberland and Morgan Counties

Name after Obediah Terrell, a longhunter who passed through the Cumberland Plateau in the late 18th century, the Obed became a Wild and Scenic River in 1976 and part of the National Park Service. Visitors to the 45-mile river can partake in a number of activities including primitive camping at Rock Creek Campground; picnicking at Nemo Picnic Area; hiking on trails of varying lengths; hunting; fishing for bass, bluegill, catfish, and muskie; rock climbing the sandstone bluffs; canoeing; kayaking; rafting; and whitewater paddling. It is advised that only experienced rock climbers and whitewater paddlers should partake in these activities. Whitewater opportunities range from Class II to Class IV. Rock climbing routes can reach heights of 200 feet.