Ready for a Road Trip: Hidden Gems for Where to Stay Safe and Play Safe

Taking a road trip is one of the most popular ways to visit the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee in the fall.  During this time of COVID, you have been asking us how you can still visit this region’s beautiful outdoor attractions, while keeping your family safe.  To help you find an uncrowded getaway, here are some hidden gems that offer social distancing, fall foliage, and memory making outdoor experiences:

McCloud Mountain is a road trip into the clouds, literally.  Sitting on a rocky bluff atop the Cumberland Mountains in Duff, TN, the Resort’s lodge rooms will give you an awe inspiring panoramic view as far away as the Smoky Mountains. The onsite restaurant is known for its local southern cuisine. Hiking trails are just steps away.

RV’s have provided a new twist on road trips.  Just off of I 40 in Kingston, TN is Fort Southwest Point.  Situated on a bluff above Watts Bar Lake, this replica fort is a lovely stop for a picnic and hike.  The onsite museum is open for visitors, but please wear your facemask.  The fort site dates back to 1797 and is the starting point of the Avery Trace that many pioneers followed to is now present day Nashville.     Pets are welcome and the admission is free.   Stay nearby at Caney Creek Marina and RV Resort.

The overlooks on the Foothill Parkway in the Smokies are undeniably beautiful, especially when the leaves turn colors in the fall.  Motorcyclists will want to lean into the winding road that has plenty of pullovers to get that perfect photo.  Rent a cabin just outside of the bustling Gatlinburg strip. Most agencies have taken the TN Pledge.  After a day on cruising, you can retreat to your cabin for dinner and porch sitting.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts a lot of visitors in the fall, and the main roads can get very congested with traffic.  Consider a different view opportunity, but you will have to hurry to book.  What’s Up Ballooning will take you on a hot air balloon flight high above the crowds for a breathtaking view of autumn in the 9 Lakes.  Continue your autumn getaway by booking at the romantic Mountain Harbor Inn on Douglas Lake or at a B&B in the shadows of the Smoky Mountains in Dandridge or Cocke County.  With views of the mountains and lakes, you will experience the quintessence of the 9 lakes region.

For the truly adventurous, the region is home to miles and miles of trails- blueways, biking, and hiking.  Pack your truck or SUV and go “overlanding.”  Bring your canoe or kayak or bike or just a great pair of hiking boots! Pick your adventure and contact us.  We will share insider secrets to finding a site nearby.

Lakes and Mountains- Who says you can’t have it all- Stay Safe, Play Safe!