Unicoi County: Forests, Rivers and History

About 50 percent of Unicoi County consists of land within the Cherokee National Forest. The Appalachian Trail and the wild Nolichucky River run through these areas. This gives you different options when planning your trip: hiking and biking, water activities, or visits to places of regional history.

Mountain Scenery and Trails

Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park encompasses 2,076 acres of scenic wilderness in Unicoi County. Rocky Fork State Park is surrounded on three sides by the Cherokee National Forest. Nearly 10 miles of marked trails are available for mountain biking, connected to remote, unmarked forest roads in the National Forest.

Unaka Bike Park also offers more than ten miles of mountain bike trails. The routes vary in difficulty; some have elevation gains of more than 700 feet. If you’d like to combine hiking or biking with a historic destination, the 5.9-mile Pinnacle Mountain Trail leads to the restored Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower, one of only four surviving fire towers in the Cherokee National Forest. Beauty Spot offers a different landscape: this grassy mountaintop is surrounded by rhododendrons and other native mountain plants.

River Activities and Outdoor Recreation

The Nolichucky River offers rafting through a gorge with steep mountain slopes and cliffs rising more than 2,000 feet. The river in Unicoi County is suitable for both conventional fishing and fly fishing. At North Indian Creek near Limestone Cove, cool, fast-flowing waters provide a habitat for trout; the Limestone Cove Day Use Area offers shaded picnic spots by the creek.

Chestoa Recreation Area is a take-out point for whitewater rafting on the Nolichucky River and a put-in for canoe trips. Facilities include ten picnic tables, grills, changing rooms, a restroom, two short walking paths and a sandy area for wading. Check local conditions before your visit, and check river conditions and infrastructure before setting out on the water. Rock Creek Recreation Area offers a different mix of facilities, including short hiking trails, a swimming pool, a bicycle trail, an amphitheater and 36 campsites, including group sites.

Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute offers outdoor instruction in kayaking, canoeing, water safety, wilderness medicine, navigation, backpacking and camping. Kayaking instruction covers whitewater and flatwater and is available to everyone from beginners to advanced paddlers. The offerings also include outdoor cooking classes. Course offerings may change, so contact the provider for current options as you plan your trip.

History and Culture in Erwin

Unicoi County Heritage Museum is housed in a wood-frame building constructed in 1903 for the first superintendent of Erwin Fish Hatchery. Exhibits cover topics including Blue Ridge Pottery, the railroad, wildlife, local schools, history and wars. A 30-minute nature trail also winds through the woods on the museum grounds; an audio narration about the plants and trees found there is available. Check current access information before your visit.

The region’s architectural history also includes Bogart-Bowman Cabin: built around 1790, the two-story log cabin has a separate kitchen and a dogtrot. Clinchfield Railroad Museum is modeled on an old railroad station and celebrates Erwin’s railroad history. Check current visitor information before your visit.

A recurring annual event is the Unicoi County Apple Festival. It takes place every October on the streets of Erwin, Tennessee, and features more than 400 vendors, live music and activities for all ages. Check the dates and program for the year you plan to travel.

Practical Planning Tips

Unicoi County has six Appalachian Trail access points with parking for hikers. Before you leave, check that parking and access suit your planned visit. In Erwin, the Erwin Linear Trail runs parallel to I-26, along North Indian Creek and the waterways of the Nolichucky River.

A vehicle with high ground clearance is recommended for Unaka Mountain Road; the road is closed during the winter months. Check the current road status before driving. Erwin National Fish Hatchery offers self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Check the hours before your trip.

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Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Erwin, Obion County, Crockett County, Carroll County, Blount County, Loudon, Henry County, Hamblen

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