Road Trip Along the East Tennessee Border

If your idea of fun is exploring the United States, you should consider taking a road trip along the eastern Tennessee border. This trip will take you through 400 miles of lush scenery, with your choice of many must see stops along the way. Tennessee is a popular destination for family vacationers, motorcycles, and RV enthusiasts. This route offers much and caters to the young and old alike.

Hiwassee State Scenic River

Starting in the lower eastern corner of the Tennessee you will travel Highway 411 North and then go east on Highway30. You will travel to the town of Reliance. Swimming, tubing, canoeing and rafting are popular activities here. You can also picnic before you head out on the forested hiking trails that meander along the side the river.

Tellico

After leaving Reliance, you will continue your travel on 411 North up to Tellico Lake. You will see the valleys that were flooded by the damming of the Little Tennessee River. Here you can visit Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and learn about this Cherokee ancestral land. You can see the Cherokee capital, Tanasi, and posts from the original meeting house of this great Indian tribe. While here you can also climb Cherohala Skyway, which was an old wagon trail. If you have a boat with you, put it in the water. Tellico Lake is a favorite spot for fishing and water sports.

Foothills Parkway

From Tellico you will continue up 411 North. You will go east when you reach Highway 72 and 129. You will soon arrive at Foothills Parkway. This is a 17-mile stretch of commercial free land. To your right you will see astounding views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Feel free to get out of your car and walk up to Look Rock. To your left you will have a wonderful view of Maryville, Alcoa, and Knoxville, Tennessee. This is a breathtaking sight on a clear night and a popular stop for the true romantics.

Townsend

Follow the parkway to the end and then go east on Highway 321. You will find yourself driving through the little town of Townsend prior to reaching the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Townsend you can visit the Passion Play, rent a tube for the river, camp, or see the spot where the television show Christy was filmed. Like its name Towns-end, you will need to stock up on any refreshments, take a restroom break, and gas up your vehicle. At the end of this road you will come to a Y in the road. Hang a right and follow that road to the end. You will find yourself at the entrance of Cades Cove. Cades Cove is an 11-mile loop around a valley in the Smokies what was once the home of many mountain families. You can hike to water falls, see primitive mountain homes, and visit the working mill. There is much to do in Cades Cove and requires an entire day for exploration. Bicycle and Horse rentals are available.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

One of the highlights on Highway 321 is what travelers call the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Here you will travel through the mountains and see many different types of trees, plants, and wildlife. From parking lots you can walk to Grotto Falls, or the more strenuous hike up to Mt. Leconte. Mt. Leconte can also be accessed by car. Mt. Leconte is highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains, and should be viewed by everyone visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Greeneville

Stay on Highway 321 and you will end up in the town of Greeneville. While in Greeneville be sure to stop and visit the Andrew Johnson National Historical Site. You can visit Johnson's grave and see two of his homes. This is a must see stop for anyone interested in Tennessee and United States history. Be sure and bring your camera.

Birthplace State Park of Davy Crockett

Keep traveling up the state, and you will come to Birthplace State Park of Davy Crockett. Many people around the world have become familiar with the hero Davy Crockett from the movie, The Alamo. This former congressman and hunter has always been a much loved hero by the people of Tennessee. Although Crockett wasn't born in Tennessee, the state honors him with a cabin resembling the one that he was born in.

Jonesborough

As your travel continues up the state on Highway 321, you will find the former capital of Tennessee . . . which is Jonesborough. If you were wondering which town was Tennessee's oldest, you have found it. As you visit Jonesborough you will see the conscientious attempts that have been made to keep this town preserved. You will wonder if you have entered into a time machine and been brought back to the old days. If your travels take you through this town in the fall, you can attend the National Storytelling Festival which is held here in the month of October.�

Elizabethton

Continue on and you can visit Elizabethton. Here you can see the fruitful attempts in the remaking of Fort Watauga. This fort is known as the first settlement west of the original colonies. This site is the location where 20 million acres were purchased from the Cherokee Indian Nation. While in Elizabethton you can tour the John and Landon Carter Mansion, which was built in the 18th century. You can also take a drive over a 19th century covered bridge that is still in use.

Cherokee National Forest

Your final destination on your east Tennessee border road trip can be traveling through the Cherokee National Forest. Here you can stop and explore the forests, watch for wildlife, or fish in the streams. You can also hike the many trails, or bicycle ride. The Cherokee National Forest covers almost 635,000 acres.

Tennessee culture is rich, its views are breathtaking, and there is always plenty to do if you choose to take a road trip along the eastern Tennessee border. These are just a few of the places you will travel through along the east Tennessee border. Plan to stay a while to enjoy all that this great state has to offer its visitors.�