The Most Instagrammable Outdoor Spots In Tennessee For Your Next Adventure
The Most Instagrammable Outdoor Spots In Tennessee For Your Next Adventure
By Sara Sharf
Tennessee offers a virtual smorgasbord of outdoor fun and photo ops. Lakes, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, mysterious caves, and primal forests blanket the Volunteer State. The very name of the state conjures images of blue-topped peaks and misty vales.
Here are some of the top spots where you can snap memorable Instagram images while immersing yourself in outdoor adventure.
Great Smoky Mountains
This mountain range that runs along the border with North Carolina gets its name from the smoky appearance produced by fog rising from and misty valleys. Sunrises and sunsets are often the best time to capture stunning photos of this phenomenon.
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the country. The nearby Roaring Fork Trail and Bluff Mountain are ideal for off-roading.
The challenge in the Smokies will be deciding what not to photograph rather than what to shoot.
Rivers Run Through It
The rivers of Tennessee offer spectacular picture opportunities and recreation. Two of the top favorites? The Tennessee River in the western part of the state and the Cumberland River in the north.
You can still see riverboats and barges along the Tennessee, but it also offers miles of opportunity for personal watercraft. The Cumberland River runs through Nashville, but most of its course is deeply rural for those who want to capture images of primal nature. The Cumberland also offers plenty of water sports opportunities.
Spectacular Waterfalls
What makes a better Instagram moment than a spectacular waterfall? Tennessee is dotted with them.
Ruby Falls, which is entirely within a cave system, is located near Chattanooga and is one of the most breathtaking. For a real adventure, try off-roading on the nearby Persimmon Loop.
Fall Creek Falls near Spencer, cascades 265 feet in a classic waterfall formation. Carmac Falls near Smithville, Twin Falls in Rock Island, Cummins near Cookeville, and Burgess Falls near Sparta are also favorites.
Many waterfalls are in state parks that offer other activities and photo ops.
Lots of Lakes
Tennessee is home to a scattering of scenic lakes that offer water fun. Norris Lake near Knoxville is a favorite of personal watercraft enthusiasts, boaters, and kayakers. Douglas Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains State Park is huge and offers recreational activities in addition to Instagram moments.
Watauga Lake near Elizabethton gives you the chance to taste the rugged charm and beauty of the forests of Appalachia. This little gem is off the beaten path and might let you skim across the water without a crowd.
Small Towns, Big Photo Ops
Sure, Tennessee’s major cities – Nashville and Memphis – beckon visitors with their landmarks steeped in the music traditions of country, blues, and rock ‘n roll.
Graceland and the Grand Ole Opry are must-haves on any photographer’s bucket list, but much of the true lure of the state can be found in Tennessee’s scenic cities and small-town culture. Tellico Plains and Lynchburg are an Instagrammers delight. Go off-road to find the hidden gems and treasures of a state that offers beauty, mystery, and adventure!
Hit the Road or the Water and Explore Tennessee!
Your adventure begins here at Cool Springs Powersports in Franklin, Tennessee. Whether you want to ride the water with a new PWC or go off-roading on a motorcycle, ATV or UTV, check out our inventory. We proudly serve Nashville, Spring Hill, and Columbia, so visit us today!
If it has legs, oars, or wheels, travel writer Sara Sharf has ridden on it or in it. She revels in the journey from Point A to Point B, especially in rugged settings.