Parks, Forests, & Natural Sites
Nationally known parks
From local state parks like the Hiwassee or Ocoee park and the Sugarloaf Mountain park to the famous Cherokee National Forest, the Tennessee Overhill region is full of natural beaty that will have you coming back time and time again!
Cherokee National Forest
Cherokee National Forest is located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of east Tennessee. The 600-acre forest is the largest tract of public land in Tennessee and is divided into northern and southern sections by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Hiwassee / Ocoee State Park
The Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park straddles both sides of the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers. The Hiwassee is great for canoeing, rafting, and fishing, while the Ocoee provides Class III and IV whitewater rapids. For river-side camping, check out Gee Creek Campground.
Sugarloaf Mountain State Park
Sugarloaf Mountain Park is located just inside the Cherokee National Forest (CNF) and below the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dam that creates Lake Ocoee (also called Parksville Lake). The 1,950 acre lake, entirely encompassed by the CNF, is a great for swimming. This area is a great place to stop and picnic, enjoy nature, and learn from interpretive signs.