10 Most Scenic Small Towns In Tennessee For Nature Lovers

Divided into three grand regions, Tennessee is an environmental mosaic. West Tennessee is flat and fertile; Middle Tennessee is moist and hilly; and East Tennessee is rugged and mountainous. Scattered across those regions are small settlements that, when combined, offer nature lovers all types of Tennessee terrain. From Paris in the west to Leipers Fork in the middle to Mountain City in the east, here are ten scenic small towns you should see in Tennessee.

Sweetwater

Few Tennessee settlements are sweeter than Sweetwater. On a day-to-day basis, only 6,000-some people get to taste this town (technically a city despite its small size), whose attractions include Sweetwater Taps, the Sweet & Salty Eatery, and the namesake Sweetwater Creek. From drinking a craft beer to watching the waves, there is no shortage of ways to spend the day. But Sweetwater's sweetest sight, especially for nature lovers, is The Lost Sea. Covering four and a half acres of the sprawling Craighead Caverns, The Lost Sea is considered America's largest non-subglacial underground lake. Tours by boat last about an hour and 15 minutes.

Tellico Plains

Tellico Plains is another scenic Tennessee treat located southeast of Sweetwater along the Smoky Mountains. As will become apparent, Tennessee is the land of waterfalls, several of which flank this 750ish-person town. After getting TLC at the Tellico Grains Bakery, do go chasing waterfalls, notably the 15-foot Baby Falls, 30-foot Conasauga Falls, and 90-foot Bald River Falls. There are many ways to access such wonders, but the best is via the Cherohala Skyway. A 43-mile National Scenic Byway, the road rises about 4,500 feet through the wilderness between Tellico Plains, TN, and Robbinsville, North Carolina.

Dunlap

Speaking of scenic drives, Dunlap lines a route that is arguably more magical than the Cherohala Skyway. It is a "major" settlement (population: ~5,400) on the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway, which runs for roughly 70 miles between Pikeville and South Pittsburg. But the section around Dunlap offers some of the best sights in the state. After refueling in Dunlap proper at Andy's Pizza or the Dunlap Restaurant, drivers can branch off on Highway 111 to see the Sequatchie Valley Overlook. If you would rather explore the region by bike than by car, join the Cycle Sequatchie Century & 3 Mtn Challenge in October.

Kingston Springs

The Narrows of the Harpeth sound straight out of Middle-earth, but they actually lie straight west of Nashville in small-town Kingston Springs. Following a feast at the Iron Skillet or tea at The Yorkshire Deli, guide your fellowship along the Harpeth River to Harpeth River State Park, whose aforementioned Narrows comprise multiple trails skirting bluffs and streams, a waterfall, and a 100-yard tunnel hand-carved through solid rock in 1818. The park offers a quiet but dramatic setting for hiking, paddling, or picnicking along the river’s edge. Keep exploring and you’ll find yourself at the edge of the Cheatham Wildlife Management Area, a 20,000-acre preserve of rugged forests and shadowy hollows that beckon deep into Tennessee’s wild heart.

Tracy City

Tracy City is a town of about 1,400 people flanked by thousands of undeveloped acres. Much of that land is preserved by South Cumberland State Park, whose disconnected parcels include Denny Cove, Lost Cove, Grundy Lakes, and Fiery Gizzard. The last of those boasts the 12.5-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail, which was voted one of the best hikes in America for its "rock formations, cascading streams, waterfalls, rocky gorges, panoramic overlooks, and lush woodlands." The trail extends all the way to Tracy City proper, so you can celebrate your victorious hike at La Ranchera Mexican Restaurant.

Leipers Fork

Leipers Fork serves a scrumptious slice of Tennessee scenery. This unincorporated village hides among the fertile farms and rolling hills lining the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile route that once carried Indigenous travelers, settlers, and soldiers. Today, visitors come for the scenery and stay for the character. Start with coffee and community charm at The RedByrd Coffee Shop, then enjoy live music and Southern fare at Fox & Locke, a rustic venue that’s been drawing crowds for decades. Art lovers browse curated pieces at the David Arms Gallery, while fans of hearty breakfasts and fried catfish head to The Country Boy Restaurant.

Spencer

Each morning, roughly 1,400 people can roll out of bed and step into Tennessee's prettiest natural spaces. They live in Spencer, which straddles Fall Creek Falls State Park. Spanning 30,000ish acres, the park boasts woods, streams, gorges, caves, cascades, and waterfalls, namely Fall Creek Falls, which is considered the highest free-fall waterfall east of the Mississippi (256 feet). Beyond Fall Creek Falls State Park, temporary and permanent Spencerites can explore Rock Island State Park to the northwest and the Cumberland Caverns to the southwest. Later, they can unwind at Mel's Old Times Cafe. This local hotspot is a great family destination with a friendly vibe and delicious bites.

Paris

Paris is famed for artificial wonders, especially the Eiffel Tower. That goes for both Paris, France, and Paris, Tennessee, since the latter also has an Eiffel Tower, though it is much, much smaller (~60 feet versus 1,083 feet). However, as a gateway to Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River, Paris, TN, doubles as a nature retreat. Following a faux-French fête in Eiffel Tower Park, residents and tourists can swim, boat, and fish nearby waterways, as well as hike, bike, and hunt in nearby preserves, such as the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Mountain City

Sitting more than 2,400 feet above sea level, Mountain City is the highest incorporated town in Tennessee. At that elevation, breathtaking sights abound. Chief among them are the prominent peaks of Iron Mountain, Forge Mountain, and Doe Mountain. Trek a little farther to explore the Bristol Caverns, which is a lighted cave system supporting an ancient underground river, and the Orchard Bog and Quarry Bog, which are the "globally rare remnants of a once vast system of peat wetlands" where cranberries grow wild. Another short trip takes you to the Roan Highlands, a hike through which was voted by Backpacker magazine as Tennessee's best.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg may have only 3,500 residents, but it’s the bustling gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife stretch across half a million acres. If you’re easing into the wilderness, start at Anakeesta, a mountaintop park with treetop bridges, gardens, and ziplining. For sweeping views, ride the Gatlinburg SkyLift and stroll across the SkyBridge—the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. Then explore the city’s creative side on the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Loop, home to dozens of local artisans. Finally, cool off indoors at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, whose shark tunnel and penguin habitat round out your adventure. That’s five standout experiences—and plenty of reason to stay.

Final Thoughts

Across its Grand Divisions—West, Middle, and East—Tennessee sports small gateways to big adventure. These communities house several hundred to several thousand people and straddle several thousand to several hundred thousand acres of explorable wilderness. Journey from Kingston Springs to Harpeth River State Park, Paris to the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Gatlinburg to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and to all the scenic towns and preserves in between.