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There’s a specific combination of nostalgia, awe, and reverence associated with the mountains of Tennessee. Dolly Parton wrote about it in her song, “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” where she sings of her beloved honeysuckle vines, crickets, and porch swings. You can feel it in any rendition of “Rocky Top,” whether you’re cheering on the Vols in Knoxville or listening to a bit of bluegrass from across state lines. It’s especially prevalent in the Blue Ridge region — home to several subranges of the eponymous mountain formation, including the Great Smokies — and into the Cumberland Mountains. Here, tucked between the peaks, valleys, and dense forests, sit a variety of mountain towns, each as charming as the next.
Several of these mountain towns act as base camps for outdoor adventures; others are gateways to some of the country’s greatest national parks. A few of the larger towns are destinations themselves, filled with all sorts of amazing sights, unforgettable activities, and a whole host of reasons to visit.
To help you plan your next trip to the Volunteer State, we asked a couple of local experts to give us the rundown on the top ones — below, read their picks for the best mountain towns in Tennessee.
Whitwell
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“Once a booming coal-mining town before the mines abruptly shut down in the early ‘90s, Whitwell is known for its rich history and stunning rock faces,” says Seth Bolt, founder and CEO of Bolt Farm Treehouse. Today, you can learn about some of that history at the Coal Miners Museum on Main Street, which is run by retired miners from the area. Whitwell is also home to the Children’s Holocaust Memorial at Whitwell Middle School and Bolt Farm Treehouse, one of the best tree house hotels in the world. “Less than a mile up the road from Bolt Farm Treehouse is one of the nation’s most coveted paragliding spots, thanks to the unique shape of the rift valley,” Bolt adds. If that kind of adventure is up your alley, book a flight with Flying Camp Paragliding.
Gatlinburg
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“Gatlinburg is a busy little town and a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In fact, [it] offers three entrances to the park,” says Clayton LaPrees, owner and guide at Smoky Mountain Guides. For groups containing travelers of all ages, he recommends adding Ober Mountain to your itinerary: “It’s a family-friendly adventure park that offers mountain biking, a mountain coaster, an alpine slide, indoor ice skating, and will soon have a four-person canopy zip line adventure.” If you’re interested in an “authentic Gatlinburg” trip, LaPrees suggests staying at The Historic Gatlinburg Inn, and then filling up at The Greenbrier Restaurant, The Park Grill, and Pancake Pantry, known as “Tennessee’s first pancake specialty restaurant.”
Lookout Mountain
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Bolt calls Lookout Mountain (population just over 2,000) a “rock climber’s paradise,” as there are several popular climbing destinations, crags, and cliffs within a short drive – most notably, Sunset Rock. Even if you’re not into scaling rock formations, you can still check out some of the town’s most famous attractions: Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls, the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, and Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. You may notice, however, that much of Lookout Mountain, including Rock City, is actually located in Georgia; Lookout Mountain, Tennessee and Lookout Mountain, Georgia are neighboring communities, and both are just a short drive from Chattanooga.
Sewanee
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Best known for the University of the South, Sewanee is one of Bolt’s selects due to its “breathtaking views, miles of hiking trails, and a serene academic village atmosphere.” The college town is located in the Cumberland Plateau, and if you’re not visiting to explore the historic campus (don’t miss the Sewanee Herbarium), you’re probably in the area to immerse yourself in nature. To do just that, plan on hiking the 20-mile loop Perimeter Trail, and make sure to get a photo of Sewanee Natural Bridge, a 25-foot-high natural sandstone arch.
Pigeon Forge
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“Just north of Gatlinburg and within an hour of Knoxville, Pigeon Forge is famous for its iconic entertainment venues, including Dollywood, dinner theaters, and museums. It’s a family-friendly destination with lots to do and scenic views, and it’s less crowded than Gatlinburg,” says Bolt. For a mix of outdoor fun and luxury accommodations, book a few nights at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains. Think private, well-appointed tents with rainfall showers, wood stoves, fire pits, and a concierge team that can help book park excursions or any other nearby activity. Alternatively, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort opened in Pigeon Forge in the fall of 2023; it’s a modern take on the classic mountain lodge, with 302 rooms and suites, indoor and outdoor pools, and four different dining destinations.
Townsend
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Both Bolt and LaPrees name Townsend, known as the “peaceful side of the Smokies,” as one of the best Tennessee mountain towns. “Townsend is a more laid-back alternative to the busier towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, but equally beautiful,” says Bolt, who recommends “visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park [and] the Tuckaleechee Caverns, biking on the Townsend Historical Trail, and tubing on the Little River.” In between hikes, bike rides, and afternoons on the water, stop by some of LaPrees’ favorite local spots: Apple Valley Cafe, Peaceful Side Social, and the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. He also suggests Little Arrow Outdoor Resort or Dancing Bear Lodge for overnight visitors.
Hartford
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In Hartford, an unincorporated community in Tennessee’s Cocke County, it’s all about getting on the river or spending time in the woods. “Multiple companies offer white water rafting on the Pigeon River,” says LaPrees. Rip Roaring Adventures, River Rat Tubing & Rafting, and Rapid Expeditions are all highly rated for their rafting adventures, and there’s nothing better than a quick trip down the river to cool you off on a hot summer day. “This is also a great town for accessing the national park, the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests, and the Appalachian Trail,” he says. For a quick hike, try Little Fall Branch Falls Trail, a 0.9-mile out-and-back route that’s marked as “easy.”
Cosby
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Cosby is a census-designated place and unincorporated community within Cocke County, a region of the state called “the adventure side of the Smokies.” According to LaPrees, you’ll want to head to Cosby for access to Great Smoky National Park as well as a “less crowded section of the Foothills Parkway,” which winds through some of the park’s most picturesque areas. Cosby also has a reputation and history associated with the liquor industry; in the early 1900s, it was known as “the Moonshine Capital of the World.” To try some of that moonshine yourself, stop by Adventure Distilling Company for tastings and live music in the summertime. If you’re in Cosby in the fall, LaPrees says the fresh apples and fried apple pies at Carver’s Apple Orchard can’t be missed.
Jonesborough
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Jonesborough claims the title of “Tennessee’s oldest town,” with roots dating back 17 years before Tennessee received statehood. Like many mountain towns, it has a tree-lined main street right out of a postcard, complete with historic red brick buildings and various one-of-a-kind shops. While meandering through, stop in Scarlett & Company, Jonesborough Antique Mart, The Lollipop Shop, and Mauk’s of Jonesborough. In October, Jonesborough’s International Storytelling Center produces the National Storytelling Festival, but there are different concerts, educational programming, and storytelling workshops put on throughout the year — check the calendar before planning your trip.
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