# Whiskey, waterfalls and whitewater – by camper from Nashville across the Cumberland Plateau to the Cherohala Skyway

> From the honky-tonks of Nashville via Franklin and the distillery in Lynchburg up onto the Cumberland Plateau with Sewanee, Foster Falls, Stone Door and…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-351-tennessee-cumberland-plateau-chattanooga/

**At a glance:** 7-day road trip of about 550 km (341 mi) with 14 stops, from Nashville to Indian Boundary. About 6 h 06 min of driving in total. Best time to go: April–May and September–October. No toll roads expected for a car. From the honky-tonks of Nashville via Franklin and the distillery in Lynchburg up onto the Cumberland Plateau with Sewanee, Foster Falls, Stone Door and Fall Creek Falls, down to Chattanooga and through the Ocoee Gorge to the heights of the Cherohala Skyway: around 800 kilometres through the heart of Tennessee.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 550 km (341 mi) |
| Driving | 6 h 06 min |
| Suggested days | 7 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Nashville → Indian Boundary |
| States | TN, GA |
| Best time to go | April–May and September–October |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-351-tennessee-cumberland-plateau-chattanooga.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From the honky-tonks of Nashville via Franklin and the distillery in Lynchburg up onto the Cumberland Plateau with Sewanee, Foster Falls, Stone Door and Fall Creek Falls, down to Chattanooga and through the Ocoee Gorge to the heights of the Cherohala Skyway: around 800 kilometres through the heart of Tennessee.*

## The spirit of the route

This route runs across everything you think you know about Tennessee. It starts with pedal steel guitars on Broadway in Nashville, rolls through gentle hill country with horse paddocks and white fences, and in Lynchburg smells of charcoal and mash. Then it climbs onto the Cumberland Plateau: a wooded tableland of sandstone into which creeks have sawn deep gorges, known as gulfs, with waterfalls plunging into the green from their rims. From the sliding door you see mist rising from the valleys in the morning, and fireflies among hemlocks and rhododendron in the evening. Somewhere on the way to Chattanooga the clock jumps forward an hour, and the Tennessee River pushes in loops around Lookout Mountain. At the end the Ocoee roars through its gorge, and the Cherohala Skyway carries you in curves over the ridges of the southern Appalachians – hardly any traffic, no petrol station, just forest to the horizon.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Nashville to Henry Horton State Park (Chapel Hill) (approx. 95 km)

- **The drive:** From Nashville take the I-65 or, more relaxed, the US-31 (Franklin Pike) around 35 kilometres south to Franklin, then follow country roads through the hill country of Middle Tennessee, past horse farms and pastures, to Chapel Hill on the Duck River. The interstates around Nashville are heavily congested at rush hour and roadworks are the rule – leaving in late morning saves your nerves. Pure driving time around 1.5 hours; with sightseeing in town, a full day. Petrol stations everywhere. The Natchez Trace Parkway begins south-west of Nashville; it is covered in the CampingSpirit guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Nashville: the Ryman Auditorium, the “Mother Church of Country Music”, the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway with live music from midday, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Parking for motorhomes is scarce in the centre and multi-storey car parks have height restrictions – better to go into town from the campground by bus or ride service.
  - Franklin: on 30 November 1864 one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War raged here. The Carter House, with bullet holes in its outbuildings, and Carnton, with its Confederate cemetery, tell the story; Main Street with its brick façades and the Franklin Theatre is ideal for a stroll.
  - Duck River at Henry Horton State Park: one of the most species-rich rivers in North America, with dozens of mussel and fish species; reachable from the park by canoe or on the riverside path.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Henry Horton State Park near Chapel Hill: campground with sites with water and electricity, bathhouses and a dump station, plus a separate tent area; reservations via the Tennessee State Parks system. If you want to stay in Nashville itself, you will find U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds such as Seven Points or Anderson Road on Percy Priest Lake east of the city – open seasonally, booking via recreation.gov, booked up early at weekends.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Nashville area and in Williamson County there is no legal option for free camping; overnighting on streets and in public car parks is not tolerated, and state parks only allow camping on designated sites.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For an evening on Broadway, leave the motorhome well outside the centre and use the Nashville transit bus (WeGo) or a ride service – towing is expensive in the centre. Stock up on groceries before leaving Nashville: from Chapel Hill on, the supermarkets get smaller.

### Stage 2: Henry Horton State Park to Tims Ford State Park (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** Via Lewisburg and narrow country roads through hills, cedar woods and cattle pastures to Lynchburg, then on the TN-50 towards Winchester to Tims Ford Lake. Hardly any traffic, lots of crests and bends, speed mostly 45–55 mph (72–88 km/h). Pure driving time around two hours; the distillery tour takes another two to three hours. Petrol stations in Lewisburg, Lynchburg and Winchester.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg: tours of the distillery with the limestone spring in Cave Spring Hollow and the sugar maple charcoal filters. Moore County is “dry” – alcohol is not sold freely in the county; however, a special provision in state law allows the distillery to hold tastings as part of tours and to sell bottles on site. Book tours in advance; day tours with tasting only from age 21 with ID.
  - Lynchburg Square: the small square around the old brick Moore County courthouse, with shops and lunch spots, is the opposite of Nashville – a small town that lives from its visitors.
  - Tims Ford Lake: TVA reservoir on the Elk River with clear water, many coves and swimming spots; from the state park, cycling and hiking trails run along the shore.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Tims Ford State Park: lakeside campground west of Winchester with sites with water and electricity, some with lake views, bathhouse, dump station and boat ramp; reservations via the Tennessee State Parks system. Sites vary in length and some are sloped – check the pad when booking.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** There is no public land for dispersed camping in Moore and Franklin County. The car parks of the distillery and the TVA recreation areas can only be used during the day.
- **Insider tip for campers:** If you do the tasting, plan no more driving afterwards: Tims Ford is only just over 30 minutes away – decide on driver and taster beforehand. The distillery has its own bus and RV car park for large vehicles; explore the centre of Lynchburg with its narrow streets on foot.

### Stage 3: Tims Ford State Park to Sewanee and Foster Falls (South Cumberland State Park) (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** Via Winchester and Cowan on the US-41A up the western escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau to Sewanee: a winding climb of around 300 metres through broadleaf forest, quite manageable for motorhomes. On the plateau continue via Monteagle and Tracy City to Foster Falls. Pure driving time around 1.5 hours. Caution: the I-24 between Monteagle and Kimball, with its long, steep descent (“Monteagle Grade”), is one of the most accident-prone mountain stretches in the Southeast – if you use it, drive downhill in a low gear and follow the truck instructions. Petrol stations in Winchester, Monteagle and Tracy City.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Sewanee: the campus of the University of the South (“The Domain”) lies in the forest on the plateau, with the neo-Gothic All Saints’ Chapel and sandstone buildings as in Oxford. At the edge of the campus, Green’s View and Morgan’s Steep open wide views over the Winchester valley; a short path leads to the Memorial Cross.
  - Foster Falls: a waterfall around 18 metres high plunges into a pool framed by sandstone walls hung with climbers. From the car park a short path leads to the viewpoint, a steeper one down to the pool.
  - Fiery Gizzard Trail: one of the best-known hiking trails in the Southeast, running around 20 kilometres between Grundy Forest near Tracy City and Foster Falls through a rocky gorge with cascades and viewpoints such as Raven Point. As a day hike, the section from Grundy Forest to Blue Hole Falls and back is enough.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Foster Falls Campground (South Cumberland State Park): small forest campground near the waterfall car park with a good two dozen basic sites without water or electric hook-ups, toilets and hot showers; mainly suited to tents and smaller vehicles, no pull-through sites – check the site size before booking. Reservation required, via the Tennessee State Parks system. For large vehicles it is easier to stay another night at Tims Ford or drive straight on to Fall Creek Falls.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In South Cumberland State Park, backcountry tent sites are reachable only on foot and with a permit. Sleeping in a vehicle is prohibited on the plateau rim and in the trailhead car parks; there are no legal free-camping options in the area.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Across the whole plateau, including Grundy and Marion County, Central Time still applies – the clock only changes with Hamilton County near Chattanooga. The South Cumberland State Park visitor centre between Monteagle and Tracy City has maps and current trail information; after heavy rain the creek crossings on the Fiery Gizzard are tricky. Fill up with drinking water at the campground or in Monteagle.

### Stage 4: Foster Falls to Fall Creek Falls State Park (approx. 115 km)

- **The drive:** Via Tracy City and Altamont to Beersheba Springs on the edge of Savage Gulf, then on country roads north across the plateau, through pine and oak forest, pastures and small settlements, to Spencer and on to Fall Creek Falls State Park. Two lanes, little traffic, hardly any gradients except for the descent to Beersheba Springs, where the road drops steeply to the Collins River. Pure driving time around two hours. Petrol stations are sparse – fill up in Tracy City or Altamont.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Great Stone Door (Savage Gulf State Park): a narrow cleft in the escarpment through which a path leads down into the gorge. From the car park at the Stone Door Ranger Station near Beersheba Springs it is around 1.5 kilometres to the viewing rocks above Big Creek Gulf. Savage Gulf has been a state park in its own right since 2022.
  - Fall Creek Falls: the waterfall drops around 78 metres in free fall into a wooded gorge – one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in the eastern USA. The viewpoint is a few steps from the car park; a steep path leads to the foot of the falls.
  - Cane Creek Cascades and Piney Creek Falls: in the park, suspension bridges and a loop trail link several waterfalls; the view from the Cane Creek Gorge Overlook shows how deeply the creeks have cut into the plateau.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Fall Creek Falls State Park: large campground in several areas in the forest with sites with water and electricity, several bathhouses and a dump station; the park also has an inn, shop and restaurant. Reservations via the Tennessee State Parks system; book early for the autumn colours in October and for summer weekends.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Fall Creek Falls and Savage Gulf only allow camping on designated sites, backcountry tent sites only on foot with a permit. The Wildlife Management Areas on the plateau are intended for hunters; camping there only where expressly designated and under the rules of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The waterfalls are at their most impressive after spring rains; in late summer some are just a trickle. Don’t take the path to the foot of Fall Creek Falls during thunderstorms or on wet rock – it is steep and slippery. The trails along the gorge rims often have no railing; keep dogs on a lead.

### Stage 5: Fall Creek Falls State Park to Chattanooga (Harrison Bay State Park) (approx. 140 km)

- **The drive:** From the park steeply down into the Sequatchie Valley near Pikeville – a long descent with tight bends; drive downhill in a low gear and spare your brakes. South through the dead-straight, narrow Sequatchie Valley, then over the heights of Walden Ridge to Chattanooga. On entering Hamilton County, Eastern Time begins: the clock jumps forward an hour, which matters for check-in times and tours. Pure driving time around 2.5 hours. Petrol stations in Pikeville, Dunlap and the Chattanooga area.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Sequatchie Valley: a valley over 100 kilometres long and only a few kilometres wide between two plateau escarpments, with farms, silos and pastures – seen from the descents, it looks as if drawn with a ruler.
  - Chattanooga Riverfront: the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the USA, crosses the Tennessee River to the North Shore district with Coolidge Park; on the south bank lies the Tennessee Aquarium with its freshwater building.
  - Point Park on Lookout Mountain (Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park): views of the Tennessee River’s Moccasin Bend and the city; the “Battle Above the Clouds” was fought here in November 1863.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Harrison Bay State Park on Chickamauga Lake, around 30 minutes north-east of downtown: campground in several loops with over a hundred sites with water and electricity, separate tent sites, bathhouses and a dump station; reservations via the Tennessee State Parks system, up to a year in advance. Alternative: Chester Frost Park (Hamilton County) opposite on the west shore of the lake, with many waterside sites with water and electricity. South of the state line in Georgia lies Cloudland Canyon State Park with campgrounds on the canyon rim (Georgia State Parks, separate reservation system).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Chattanooga and on Lookout Mountain, overnighting on streets and in car parks is prohibited. Prentice Cooper State Forest west of the city has a few basic designated camping areas, but these are intended mainly for hunters and Cumberland Trail hikers and are closed at times during hunting seasons – check the rules and status with the forest administration beforehand; unsuitable for large motorhomes.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Downtown Chattanooga has car parks on the riverfront, but multi-storey car parks with height restrictions. More practical: leave the motorhome at the campground, or on weekdays use an open-air car park near the aquarium early in the day. The free electric Downtown Shuttle connects the aquarium and the station district; check it is running beforehand.

### Stage 6: Chattanooga to Ocoee River (Parksville Lake) (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** In the morning up Lookout Mountain: the Scenic Highway (TN-148) and the roads along the ridge are steep, winding and narrow, hard going with motorhomes over 9 metres or with a trailer – park large vehicles at the foot of the mountain or drive early in the day. Rock City is already in Georgia, a few kilometres south of Ruby Falls. Then take the I-75 north to Cleveland and the US-64 east into the Ocoee Gorge. The stretch of the US-64 along the river is two-lane and winding, with rock walls on one side and the river on the other; on rafting days, buses with boat trailers are on the road. Pure driving time around two hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Ruby Falls: an underground waterfall deep inside Lookout Mountain, around 45 metres high, reached by lift and cave passage; popular, so book timed-entry tickets in advance.
  - Rock City (Lookout Mountain, Georgia): rock garden with crevices, a suspension bridge and the Lover’s Leap viewpoint, from which, according to the advertising, you can see seven states; the “See Rock City” barn roofs along the country roads of the Southeast are a piece of Americana in themselves.
  - Ocoee Whitewater Center: built in 1996 for the Olympic canoe slalom events, today a Cherokee National Forest visitor centre with a riverside path, suspension bridge and swimming spots in the scoured riverbed of the upper Ocoee.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Parksville Lake RV Campground (Cherokee National Forest) on Lake Ocoee (Parksville Lake) near the US-64 at the TN-30: forest campground with electric sites, bathhouse with hot showers and dump station, open seasonally, reservations via recreation.gov; check vehicle lengths per site. Alternatives in the gorge: Thunder Rock Campground near the Ocoee No. 3 powerhouse (more basic, winding access) and the remote, basic Lost Creek Campground on a forest road north of the river.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Cherokee National Forest, dispersed camping is generally allowed, except in developed recreation areas, at trailheads and where signs prohibit it; park on existing surfaces off the roadway, length of stay limited. Along the US-64 in the gorge there is practically no room for it; forest roads away from the river are better for small vehicles – follow the Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The water of the Middle Ocoee only flows when the TVA releases it from the flume of the Ocoee No. 2 powerhouse into the riverbed – on release days in the season from spring into autumn; in between, the bed lies almost dry. Check the TVA release schedule and book rafting with a licensed outfitter. In the gorge, only stop at designated car parks.

### Stage 7: Ocoee River to Tellico Plains and Cherohala Skyway (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** From the US-64 north via Reliance on the Hiwassee River and on country roads through forest and farmland to Tellico Plains, around 1.5 hours. From there the Cherohala Skyway (TN-165, NC-143 in North Carolina) climbs over 43 miles (around 70 kilometres) to Robbinsville: wide, well built, easy to drive, with long climbs to over 1,600 metres and numerous viewpoints. There are neither petrol stations nor drinking water along the entire route. For motorhomes, driving as far as the turn-off to Indian Boundary is enough, and if you like on to the overlooks at the state line; return the same way or continue into North Carolina. Pure driving time for the whole stage around 3.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Bald River Falls: around 10 kilometres east of Tellico Plains on the Tellico River Road (Forest Road 210), the Bald River drops in several tiers almost 30 metres right next to the road bridge into the Tellico River – visible without a hike; pull-outs are scarce.
  - Cherohala Skyway: Turkey Creek Overlook, Lake View Overlook and the high balds on the North Carolina line offer views over endless forested ridges. The road is named after the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, which it connects.
  - Tellico Plains: small town at the foot of the mountains with the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center, shops, a bakery and the Charles Hall Museum with telephones, guns and everyday objects from the region.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Indian Boundary Campground (Cherokee National Forest): on a small lake below the Skyway, several loops with electric sites, restroom buildings, loop trail around the lake; open seasonally, reservations via recreation.gov. Important: according to the Forest Service, the roads in the campground are only designed for vehicles up to 26 feet (just under 8 metres) – larger motorhomes will not fit. More basic sites without hook-ups on the Tellico River: Holly Flats and Spivey Cove, plus Jake Best on the North River – gravel access, unsuitable for large motorhomes.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the Cherohala Skyway, camping within 300 feet (around 90 metres) of the road is prohibited, as is overnighting at the overlooks. Along the Tellico River Road and the North River Road there are basic designated sites without facilities; only park where signs allow it, and follow the Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up with fuel and water in Tellico Plains – there is nothing until Robbinsville. In winter the Skyway is closed in ice and snow; after severe storms there may be partial closures due to landslides – check the status with TDOT (SmartWay) and the Cherokee National Forest. If you are continuing towards the Smoky Mountains, you will find the connections in the CampingSpirit guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains; the twisting US-129 (“Tail of the Dragon”) is not recommended with large motorhomes.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Tennessee State Parks only allow camping on designated sites; backcountry tent sites only on foot with a permit. Cities such as Nashville and Chattanooga prohibit sleeping in vehicles on streets and in car parks, and will tow.
- In the Cherokee National Forest, dispersed camping is allowed, except in developed recreation areas, within 300 feet of the Cherohala Skyway and where signs prohibit it. Only park on existing surfaces, fires only in existing rings and according to current fire regulations; length of stay limited.
- Interstate rest areas are for taking a break; observe the posted maximum parking time. Supermarket and department store car parks only with the express permission of the store.
- Reservations: Tennessee State Parks via reserve.tnstateparks.com, usually up to a year in advance with a booking fee; Forest Service and Corps of Engineers sites via recreation.gov; Georgia State Parks (Cloudland Canyon) via Georgia’s reservation system. For Fall Creek Falls, Harrison Bay and Indian Boundary, book early for the autumn colours in October and for holiday weekends.
- Federal lands: since 2026, visitors without US residency pay higher fees and surcharges at some US national parks; check current amounts on nps.gov. At Point Park in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, an entrance fee per person is charged from age 16, payable by card only, not cash; the America the Beautiful Pass is valid in NPS areas and in Forest Service recreation areas.
- Wildlife: black bears occur in the Cherokee National Forest – keep food and rubbish in the vehicle or in bear-proof containers. Copperheads and rattlesnakes around rocks and woodpiles, ticks and chiggers in long grass.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Recreation.gov; Park4Night is not widely used here. On the plateau and in the gorges, mobile reception is often weak – save maps offline.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: at all the state park campgrounds mentioned (Henry Horton, Tims Ford, Fall Creek Falls, Harrison Bay) as well as Chester Frost Park, Parksville Lake RV Campground and private campgrounds; basic Forest Service sites usually have none.
- Drinking water: at campgrounds and in towns; tap water is drinkable. There is no water on the Cherohala Skyway or at the trailheads on the plateau.
- Empty grey water and chemical toilets only at dump stations; draining into forest, creek or lake is prohibited.
- Propane: petrol stations, DIY stores and campgrounds fill US cylinders; European cylinders are generally not filled.
- Electricity: state park sites mostly 30, some 50 A; Forest Service sites partly with electricity (Indian Boundary, Parksville Lake), the basic sites without hook-ups; generators only at certain times. Foster Falls has no hook-ups.
- Alcohol: Moore County with Lynchburg is “dry” – no free sale outside the distillery. In Tennessee, wine is sold in supermarkets, spirits only in liquor stores.
- Fuel and shopping: large supermarkets in Nashville, Franklin, Winchester, Chattanooga and Cleveland; on the plateau only small shops in Monteagle, Tracy City, Spencer and Pikeville, and nothing at all on the Skyway.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates in Tennessee mostly 70 mph (113 km/h), 55–65 mph in urban areas; country roads mostly 45–55 mph. Special rules for heavy vehicles apply on the Monteagle Grade of the I-24 – choose a low gear downhill; runaway truck ramps are signposted.
- Tennessee and Georgia have a hands-free law: you may not hold your phone while driving. Move-over rule for emergency vehicles and breakdown services on the hard shoulder.
- Tolls: there are no toll roads on this route.
- Time zones: Nashville, Lynchburg, Sewanee, the plateau with Fall Creek Falls and the Sequatchie Valley are on Central Time; Chattanooga (Hamilton County), Lookout Mountain in Georgia, the Ocoee Gorge and Tellico Plains are on Eastern Time, one hour later. The boundary essentially follows the Hamilton County line on the eastern edge of the plateau – convert check-in times, tours and rafting appointments accordingly; phones do not always switch reliably.
- Heat and thunderstorms: from June to September, 30–35 °C with high humidity is normal; violent thunderstorms often build in the afternoon, with lightning and flash floods in the gorges. From March to May and again in late autumn, tornadoes move through Middle Tennessee – take National Weather Service warnings seriously; in a tornado warning, leave the motorhome and seek a solid building or bathhouse.
- Winter: on the plateau and on the Cherohala Skyway, ice and snow can lead to closures; some Forest Service sites are then closed.
- Emergency: 911. Mobile coverage good in towns, patchy on the plateau, in the Ocoee Gorge and on the Skyway.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Weather app with severe weather alerts or a NOAA weather radio: thunderstorms, flash floods and tornadoes come on quickly here, and reception on the plateau is often poor.
- Good hiking boots with grippy soles, and poles: the paths to the waterfalls at Fiery Gizzard, Stone Door and Fall Creek Falls are steep, rocky and often wet.
- 12-volt fan and a shade cloth for the awning: humid summer nights on the lakeshore at Tims Ford and Harrison Bay barely cool down.
- Tick remover, repellent and long trousers: ticks and chiggers are widespread in the grass and woods along the whole route.
- Water shoes and life jacket: for the swimming spots at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, the rafting and the canoe trip on the Duck River.
- Watch with two time zones or a second clock set permanently: otherwise the switch between Central and Eastern Time on the plateau will cause missed tours.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Recreation.gov – Indian Boundary (Cherokee National Forest)](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232215)
- [USDA Forest Service – Indian Boundary Recreation Area Campground Map](https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r08/cherokee/publication/Indian%20Boundary%20Recreation%20Area%20Campground%20Map.pdf)
- [Recreation.gov – Parksville Lake RV Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251438)
- [National Park Service – Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP: Fees & Passes](https://www.nps.gov/chch/planyourvisit/fees.htm)
- [Tennessee Department of Agriculture – Prentice Cooper State Forest](https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/state-forests/prentice-cooper)
- [CARTA – Downtown Shuttle Route](https://www.gocarta.org/routes-schedules/downtown-shuttle-route/)
- [Nantahala Outdoor Center – Ocoee River Releases](https://noc.com/events/ocoee-river-releases/)
- [WATE – Cherohala Skyway: when it will reopen (Flutschaden 2023)](https://digital-release.wate.com/news/monroe-county-news/when-cherohala-skyway-will-reopen)
- [Campflare – South Cumberland State Park (Foster Falls) Campground](https://campflare.com/campground/tennessee-south-cumberland)

## Which stops are on the route from Nashville to Indian Boundary?

1. **Nashville** (TN)
2. **Franklin** (TN)
3. **Lynchburg** (TN)
4. **Tims Ford State Park** (TN)
5. **Sewanee** (TN)
6. **Foster Falls** (Sequatchie, TN): A 60-foot waterfall in a sandstone amphitheater, part of South Cumberland State Park and popular with climbers. A short trail leads to the overlook.
7. **Beersheba Springs** (TN)
8. **Fall Creek Falls State Park** (Spencer, TN): Tennessee’s largest state park, whose namesake falls drop 256 feet into a wooded gorge. A scenic drive links several overlooks; the trail to the base is steep.
9. **Chattanooga** (TN)
10. **Ruby Falls** (TN)
11. **Rock City** (GA)
12. **Ocoee Whitewater Center** (TN)
13. **Tellico Plains** (TN)
14. **Indian Boundary** (TN)

## When is the best time for the route from Nashville to Indian Boundary?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Whiskey, waterfalls and whitewater – by camper from Nashville across the Cumberland Plateau to the Cherohala Skyway?**
7-day road trip of about 550 km (341 mi) with 14 stops, from Nashville to Indian Boundary. About 6 h 06 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Whiskey, waterfalls and whitewater – by camper from Nashville across the Cumberland Plateau to the Cherohala Skyway?**
We suggest 7 days: about 6 h 06 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Whiskey, waterfalls and whitewater – by camper from Nashville across the Cumberland Plateau to the Cherohala Skyway start and end?**
It starts in Nashville and ends in Indian Boundary.

**Which states does Whiskey, waterfalls and whitewater – by camper from Nashville across the Cumberland Plateau to the Cherohala Skyway pass through?**
Tennessee and Georgia.

**Where can you camp along Whiskey, waterfalls and whitewater – by camper from Nashville across the Cumberland Plateau to the Cherohala Skyway?**
OpenStreetMap lists 200 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Four Corners RV Resort, Citico Site 1 and Safe Harbor RV Resort.