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How to spend a weekend in the Adventure Side of the Smokies

September 23, 2024 Linda trip plans

Twenty miles east of Gatlinburg is a whole different scene to the Smoky Mountains, one anchored by artsy Cosby, chill Newport and the rafting utopia of Hartford. Cocke County is known as the Adventure Side of the Smokies for good reason. With three rivers, four state national forests and Douglas Lake—one of East Tennessee’s most popular lake recreation areas—this slice of mountainous countryside prides itself on providing Tennessee visitors with ample outdoor opportunities that take your breath away.

For a century, the canning industry fueled Newport’s economy—crates and crates of tomatoes and pork and beans—eventually growing into the country’s largest canning operations. The last owner of the plant, ConAgra, closed it a few years back, and today it’s the once-illicitly distilled moonshine that continues to be a major draw for Newport. A few significant sites of note— the world’s third-oldest river, the French Broad, and Tennessee’s third-oldest town, Parrottsville, steeped in Civil War history and mid-1800’s architecture—also continue to bring visitors in.

So whether you’re visiting Cocke County for cultural heritage or outdoor recreation, here’s how to experience a little of both via a weekend in the Adventure Side of the Smokies.

Day 1 in Newport, Tennessee

Legendary moonshiner Popcorn Sutton once called Newport home, and you’ll see signs of his legacy throughout the area any time of year and especially during the annual summer Popcorn Sutton Jam at the Cocke County Fairgrounds. Today, there are a handful of legal moonshine distilleries and events in the Smokies like the local Adventure Distilling Co., which also offers UTV tours, and the Hard Times Street Rod Moonshine Rod Run at City Park each June.

Go on safari at Briarwood Ranch Safari Park

If you’ve ever wanted to go on a Jurassic Park-style adventure, this drive-through safari in East Tennessee offers just that (only, without the danger or dinosaurs). Drive your own car through the four-mile Briarwood Ranch Safari Park route that’s open seven days a week. The Bybee safari park offers buckets of feed, and the deer, bison, elk, zebras, cows and other wildlife will come right up to your car window and eat out of your hand. Wagon rides through the park are also available by appointment.

For lunch, CJ Papadops in Bybee is open Thursday through Saturday and serves Greek food and weekly specials in a secret garden setting with both indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re a fan of home-grown wine, Goodwater Vineyards isn’t far from Briarwood Ranch Safari Park. The family-owned winery in Mosheim has been in operation since 2013 and is open for tastings by appointment only. Their second tasting room in downtown Gatlinburg is open seven days a week.

Explore Downtown Newport

The Pigeon River bisects Newport’s central core, which is undergoing a resurrection thanks to thriving small businesses like Fruit Jar Alley, owned by Allison Manes and her husband Digger of Discovery’s “Moonshiners” fame. In addition to décor, women’s clothing, and other gift items like dishware and jewelry, Fruit Jar Alley has a room devoted to Back Alley Grainery, a homebrew store. “Moonshiners” often films on the second floor of the historic building, and Popcorn Sutton’s vehicle sits out back behind the building.

Before leaving Newport, have a round of beers at Neighborhood Beer House, which also has a full menu of cocktails, burgers and other snackables like fried cheese sticks, a fries flight and multiple charcuterie boards. The brewery features regular live entertainment and crowd favorites like Musical Bingo Night. Next door is an adjoining coffee shop, Snowbird Mountain Coffee Co. and an axe-throwing establishment facility with six lanes.

Fox & Hounds is Newport’s fine-dining restaurant with a large selection of steaks, seafood and fancy cocktails. Bonus: It’s open seven days a week while many of the restaurants in Newport and Cosby are only open from Thursday through Sunday. Occupying an old gas station, Grease Rack is another quality steakhouse in Newport, with 10 different cuts of beef on the menu in a no-frills setting and domestic beer on tap. The Woodshed is run by a local hospitality teacher who staffs the restaurant with students from her classes and has pork sliders, salads, steaks and seafood. Get your sweet fix with a hand-scooped ice cream cone from the Creamery on Broadway.

Not far from downtown Newport, Grill 73 is the brainchild of a pair of retired Russian acrobats and serves a mix of American and Russian favorites like cabbage rolls, potato pie and pirochke, while Debbie’s Drive-In has a walk-up window for those wanting to grab a burger and shake for the road.

Day 2 in Cosby, Tennessee

Abutting Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cosby is a mix of makers, like the crafters filling the shelves of Foothills of the Smokies Quilt Shop, and moonshiners. Get your caffeine fix at Our Place Books, Coffees, Unique Gifts—a coffee shop, gift store and book shop all in one—on your way to learn more about what makes this quirky mountain community tick.

Hike out to Hen Wallow Falls

One of the highest waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, Hen Wallow Falls is a bit of a trek to reach but worth the effort if you have the fortitude. At 4.4 miles round-trip, the moderately difficult hike starts at the trailhead for Gabes Mountain Trail at the Cosby Campground and climbs 900 feet in elevation. Though the 90-foot waterfall is only two feet wide at the top, it fans out as it tumbles down the rocks, separating into two streams at the base that house Smoky Mountain salamanders and occasionally a black bear passing through.

Meet the legendary trolls at 5 Arts Studio

Vivi Arensbak and Marianna Shaffer carry on their father’s legacy with 5 Arts Studio, maker of the famed Smoky Mountains trolls. Born in Denmark and part of a resistance movement during World War II, artist Ken Arensbak helped Jews flee the Nazi occupation to neighboring Sweden by forging travel documents and passports. After moving to North America in the late-1940s, Arensbak settled his family in Ohio and started creating art based on Scandinavian folklore, using woodland trolls as the muse for his handmade art. The family relocated to the Smoky Mountains in 1971 and gradually built an empire as Ken’s wife Neta and their children all started contributing to what eventually became a thriving business.

Today, the sisters and Marianna’s husband Ted Shaffer develop and hand-assemble all trolls with the help of a small team; they are constantly coming out with new designs, from moonshiners to birdwatchers, as well as releasing variations of long-time favorites. They use items found in nature like buckeyes and acorn caps for eyes, noses, and other accessories and estimate they have produced and sold more than a million trolls over the years. 5 Arts Studio in Cosby is open by appointment only, both to visit the museum and to shop for trolls, though the family-run business also sells their creations online, too.

Visit the Carver’s Orchard & Applehouse Restaurant

Surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, Carver’s Orchard is a 40,000-tree family affair that has been growing apples since the 1940’s. Though the apple orchard does not allow visitors to pick their own, they have a produce barn with a robust stock of items made from their 126 varieties of apples, from jams and jellies to apple butter and apple fritters. The orchard also has an on-site candy shop, as well as the Applehouse Restaurant, where you can grab breakfast or lunch.

If you’re in a hurry to your next stop, pick up a selection of apples to go then grab a quick bite down the road from Doc’s 321 Café, which boasts 10 different styles of paninis, street tacos, meat plates and all the traditional sides of Southern BBQ. This Cosby restaurant known for its smoked pies is set in an artful landscape of found objects, vintage signs and curiosities with an old school bus as its centerpiece.

Go on a llama trek through the Smokies

Steve and Johnna Garrett own a dozen llamas and a dream plot of land perched high in Cosby with soaring Smoky Mountain views. Those who want a dose of the outdoors with a llama escort can sign up for their Padgett Mill Trek, which is a guided hour-long, moderate hike that is one of the best kid-friendly activities in the Smokies. Not interested in the hiking part? You can still schedule a farm visit to meet and mingle with the Garretts’ llamas.

Soak up the views from Foothills Parkway

From Cosby, pick up the six-mile stretch of the Foothills Parkway that takes you up winding mountain roads and past several scenic lookouts before ending at I-40. This scenic byway managed by the National Park Service traverses five counties and has been in the works for the better part of a century. Once completed, the Foothills Parkway—starting at Chilhowee Lake in the west with drivable segments through Walland and Wears Valley—will be a continuous 72.1-mile route through some of the country’s most stunning terrain.

Day 3 Cool off on the Pigeon River

Nearly a dozen whitewater rafting companies make their base out of Hartford, 14 miles south of Newport off Interstate-40. Containing Class III and IV rapids that will send pure adrenaline through your veins, this 5.5-mile section of the Upper Pigeon River begins at the North Carolina border at the base of Walters Dam and features controlled releases of water to keep the river rapids flowing. You can also take your own kayak or canoe down the rapids if you dare. The headwaters of the rapids sit close to the Davenport Gap trailhead of the Appalachian Trail, which extends from Northern Georgia all the way to Maine.

Where to stay in Cosby, Tennessee

Creekwalk Inn Bed and Breakfast at Whisperwood Farm is ideal for couples, families and others who want a true escape in the most scenic of Smoky Mountain settings. The expansive grounds comprise the main lodge, a chapel, cabin suites and multi-bed cabins, all hand-hewn log structures with a unique character and vibe. Owner and innkeeper Janice Haynes makes guests feel at home by offering guidance to the area, as well as options for on-site activities like beer-tasting and pie-making.

The in-house chef prepares daily farm-to-table breakfasts, packed picnics, and dinner from locally sourced and seasonal variety that feel like soul-healing foods straight from the arms of Mother Nature. Hot tubs, a sauna, massage therapy, cooking classes, trout fishing and a wealth of local knowledge from the hostess makes this destination world-class for hikers or travelers passing through who seek serenity after the bustle of living in or visiting nearby cities.

Cosby also is home to numerous unique Smoky Mountain vacation rentals like the new two-bedroom Hobbit House at Walnut Acres on six acres of property encased by verdant forest and views of the surrounding Smokies. Larger groups may be interested in renting Wildwood Mountain Cabins, which offer configurations of one to four bedrooms, sleeping as many as 12 people in a single house. In Del Rio, French Broad Outpost Ranch is one of the only dude ranches in Tennessee with horseback riding, cattle drives, square dancing and other family fun.

For travelers looking to camp in the Smokies, Cosby Campground has both tent and RV camping sites, as well as a picnic pavilion, amphitheater and nature walk; it’s also conveniently located near Hen Wallow Falls. Roamstead is one of the best spots for glamping in the Smokies with dozens of yurts for rent, as well as RV hookups, tent sites and cabins.

Stay longer in the Smokies

You can extend your time in the Adventure Side of the Smokies by using Cosby or Newport as your base for day trips to some of East Tennessee’s top attractions like Downtown Gatlinburg, Greeneville, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood in Pigeon Forge or the Bush’s Visitor’s Center—makers of the canned baked beans of the same name—in Chestnut Hill. Want more time on the water? Douglas Lake covers an impressive 30,400 acres with 550 miles of shoreline and water recreation like jet-skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding and birdwatching. To learn more about the Civil War’s impact on East Tennessee, an area predominantly occupied by Union soldiers, start at the trail marker in Parrottsville and follow the Tennessee Civil War Trail sites through the area.

Guest post submitted by Kristen Luna

A&I Fair- A Timeless Tradition in Cocke County

July 29, 2024 Linda events

Every summer since 1948, the A&I Fair honors the past, present, and future of agricultural industry in Cocke County.

For five days, 4H students, farmers, and community neighbors compete for blue ribbons and bragging rights for the best of that year. The midway rides, fair food, demolition derby, and live music round out the festivities.

The fairgrounds are also steeped in history. Once a working farm, the land was purchased and timber from the land was used to build some of the structures on the fairgrounds. Originally, the fair was focused on horses, but a local agricultural teacher and FFA advisor serving as fair president grew the fair to attract students showing livestock and community competitions for blue ribbon displays of sewing, cooking, and canning. Later a racetrack was added for car racing, a very popular sport in the south. With the addition of the midway carnival rides, the fair attracted people from western North Carolina.

Today, the fairground holds true to its roots on the 5 days of the fair, but the fairground also continues to serve the community throughout the year. Some of the biggest community events in Cocke County- Popcorn Sutton Festival and the Cocke County Bluegrass Festival.

The A&I fairground is a legacy to the enduring spirit of a close-knit community and the power of farming traditions. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike come to gather to recall old memories and create new ones, where the past and present seamlessly merge in a celebration of rural life in Cocke County.

Hogs to H.O.Gs- The French Broad River Road

July 10, 2024 Linda Cocke County TN, history

Long before interstates or train track connected the 63 miles between Asheville and Newport, the challenge for a farmer was to get his products to a large city market to sell. The fertile valleys of the French Broad River and Cocke County produced abundant foodstuff that was in demand for people as far south as Charleston, SC.

In 1874, then Tennessee Bureau of Agriculture agent, Joseph Buckner Killebrew reported: “These are exceedingly fertile valleys, the soil equal to any in the State. It is alluvial and deep. With anything like fair cultivation, it will produce from fifty to one hundred bushels of corn to the acre.”

While corn can be used for milling or distilling, much of the corn grown in Cocke County was used to fatten hogs to sell in the markets of the South. Hogs are voracious eaters and the corn yields in the river plains of Big Creek and the French Broad were prolific. In contrast, the plantation farmers in Georgia and South Carolina used their lands for cotton and rice to sell in large cities and globally. With most of the land in use for cash crops, plantations owners needed to purchase pork to feed the large number of field hands working to plant, tend, and harvest their crops. The annual hog “drive” through Cocke County to Asheville would begin in early November along the dusty road running parallel to the French Broad River. Once reaching Asheville, the farmers would then the sell the hogs directly to plantation farmers or to slaughterhouses.

A drover could move his herd of pigs about 10 miles a day, keeping his hogs moving with shouts “Soo-eey,” “Su-boy,” or “Ho-o-o-yuh.” Along the route, there were inns that had pens and feed for hogs, and perhaps a bed for the drover. One of these inns, Wolf Creek Inn, stood where Wolf Creek enters the French Broad south of Del Rio. The road became so well known for the hog drives, that Asheville has placed a statue of walking hogs in downtown to represent the heritage of this porcine economy.

By 1880 and the completion of the railroad between Newport and Asheville, the years of the road taken over by large hog drives became a distant memory. Today the 25 E highway between Newport and Hot Springs, NC is known as the East Tennessee Crossing Byway, a national scenic byway. It is a bit ironic that this road is very much favored by motorcycle clubs for group rides, some of which are riding Harley Davidson, known in slang as Hogs. The legend is that a Harley Davidson racing team selected a hog as a mascot and the label has stuck ever since.

Sooey!

Newport: A City History Shaped by Transportation

June 12, 2024 Linda history

Nestled on the north side of the Great Smoky Mountains is the quiet city of Newport Tennessee. Bordered by rivers, a train track, and divided by a state and federal highway, the city can be easily overlooked. But a glance into its past reveals a historic era from the late 1700’s forward worth exploring.

Cocke County Tennessee embodies a rich history of the pioneers who settled the area. The first town, Old New Port was formed in 1799 when John Gilliland, the first settler of Cocke County, donated fifty acres of land to build the town two years after Cocke County was established. New Port was thus named because it was a new port on the French Broad River. Fines Ferry, the former crossing for the French Broad River, no longer exists, and while much has changed, a few pieces of history still remain. But this history may be told differently depending on who you speak to in the present Newport.

The O’Dell house, the oldest structure still standing, is residential and has been declared an historic site. The building dates back to 1813 and was built by Abel Gilleland, son of John Gilleland, who settled in the area in 1783. The house is the primary physical reminder of the once bustling town of Old New Port. It is a significant architectural example of the type of residence built by men of prominence in early East Tennessee and is still occupied by descendants of the original owners. Few of this type of structure can still be found in this area.

Local resident, Edward Walker was born, raised, and still lives in Newport. As the history of the area goes, Walker is as much an historian as any. A former school teacher, now retired, Walker is a fount of information.

“The railroad arrived at the tiny village of Clifton in 1867,” said Walker. “This is when the controversy to move the county seat really revved up.”

Walker says you had the Cliftonites on one side and those living in New Port on the other. Whoever had the majority on the county legislative body would vote to move the county seat back and forth between the two. This happened at least three times. Finally, in 1884 the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that the county seat could be on the Pigeon River in what was the village of Clifton. The name followed and what once was Clifton became New Port. If that isn’t confusing enough, Clifton was also once known as Gorman’s Depot. But in 1884 all three converged to become the county seat with the name of Newport. The original courthouse in Newport did not survive a fire so many of the original records and photographs are lost.

By August of 1869 the railroad had extended as far east as Wolf Creek. A stagecoach was required at this point if you wanted to go to Hot Springs or Asheville. There was no crossing by railroad until 1882. The earliest existing Newport on the Pigeon map only dates back to 1887.

A discerning eye, with help from a local historian, can spot a few original buildings. The railroad tracks still run through town but are now used for freight only. The original main building of Newport Grammar School is the oldest, continually used, elementary school building in the state of Tennessee.

Walker says the town hit a boom in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Capitalists once looked to come to small towns when starting an industry. “Everyone had big ideas and talked big but wanted to build their business on the backs of the locals. The businesses would succeed but often moved elsewhere after a time.”

Following the route of state road 25E, the East Tennessee Crossing Byway is an 83-mile national scenic byway that links Cumberland Gap and to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive follows the old river road pathway to Asheville and Hot Springs, and runs directly through the town of Newport.

The design plan and completion of Interstate 40 cut a path through Cocke County and Newport. As with most highway system builds, downtowns lost their sense of purpose and direction when industry, and then commerce fled to the areas along highways. Newport was no different.

But Walker says the town is making a comeback. “Downtown Newport looks better now than it has for some time,” said Walker. “We have new businesses coming to town.”

Following the lead of many larger cities, Newport is finding its way back to purpose with the renaissance of new businesses. Newport makes for a great stopover for a cup of coffee, an ice cream treat, or a short walk around downtown to view the remaining historic buildings before trekking on to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Newport Harvest Street Festival Oct. 5-6, 2024: Harvesting Memories

October 2, 2023 Linda events

Bringing with it an atmosphere of nostalgia and a chance to create new memories, the Newport Harvest Street Festival has for 38 years served as a premier East Tennessee community celebration event

Heralding the onset of fall and launching the start of Cocke County’s annual season of weekend festivals, the Street Festival strikes a cheerful balance between old and new.

Many of the vendors and participants have been returning year after year, becoming an integral part of the festival’s identity. This continuity is essential for the festival’s charm, as it allows visitors to relive cherished memories. Whether it’s savoring a favorite treat from a familiar food stall or reconnecting with long-time friends, the Newport Street Festival has a unique ability to transport attendees back in time.

But what makes this festival truly exceptional is its capacity for renewal, year after year. Alongside the familiar faces, there are new vendors, attractions, and activities waiting to be discovered. This delicate blend of tradition and innovation is what keeps the festival fresh and exciting. It’s a testament to the organizers’ commitment to providing a diverse and engaging experience for both long-time attendees and first-time visitors.

“We’ve got vendors that have been coming for as long as I know and before, and then we’ve always got new ones,” said Lynn Ramsey, Cocke County Chamber of Commerce director and an organizer of the event since 2008. “We have everything from crafts and Christmas and fall decorations to children’s toys. Some people are selling different kinds of stones and herbs and handcrafted soaps and a lot of handmade arts and crafts. A lot of churches will come and give away information, and sometimes they give away free stuff like bottles of water to drink.”

If the weather is beautiful and the sun graces the streets of downtown Newport with its warm glow, turnout can run as high as 6,000 people or more. Clear blue skies and crisp autumn air set the stage for a weekend filled with laughter, music, and delicious food.

Food trucks and tasty treat-serving tents line the streets and fill the air with the enticing aromas of all your favorite festival snacks and beverages, from fresh squeezed lemonade, corn dogs and spiral taters to funnel cakes and deep-fried desserts.

And of course, no Tennessee festival would be complete with music, and the Newport Street Festival always serves a wonderful variety guaranteed to get your body moving to the sweet beats and lively melodies. Make sure to see all the lovely ladies and babies that come to compete to be 2024’s Harvest Queen in their appropriate age division. Children up to 16 years of age will compete in pageants according to their age bracket. The ever-popular Miss Newport Harvest Festival, for females ages 16-21 years old, will be the last pageant of the day. All pageants will be on the Broadway side of the Courthouse lawn on Saturday at 10:30 am.

The Newport Harvest Street Festival is a testament to the enduring spirit of close-knit community and the power of Appalachia traditions. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike come to relive old memories and create new ones, where the past and present seamlessly merge in a celebration of life in Cocke County.

Cocke County’s Century Farms Highlight TN Agricultural Heritage

August 8, 2023 Linda Cocke County TN, events

“Century Farms” are an essential part of the Tennessee Heritage Farms Program. Administered by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University, the program recognizes and works to conserve farms that have remained in the same family and in continuous agriculture production for 100 years or more.

About 2,100 such farms have been certified across the Volunteer State — a dozen of them in Cocke County:

Baxter Farm, 1875
Bible Farm, 1887
Dwight L. Bundy Farm, 1907
Heritage Farms, 1849
Jim and Alice Freeman Gulf Farm, 1910
Leibrock Farm, 1886
M.G. Roberts Poplar Tree Farm, 1859
Neas Farm, 1885
Oakleaf Farm, 1902
Ottinger Farm, 1894
Pitts Farm, 1897

River Dale Farm, established in 1794, is also a designated Pioneer Century Farm, meaning that its operation dates back to the founding of the State of Tennessee in 1796 or before.

“Despite drought, floods, the Civil War and the Great Depression, these families have remained tillers of the soil, persevering where others have failed,” wrote state historian Carroll Van West in his 1986 book, “Tennessee Agriculture: A Century Farms Perspective.”

The Tennessee Heritage Farms Program plays a crucial role in preserving rural culture and regional identity – especially in small, mostly-rural counties like Cocke. The program provides educational resources and extension outreach to farm families and the general public, raising awareness of the importance of keeping Tennessee’s agricultural heritage well tended.

The program helps encourage and promote a sense of community pride among the farm families, local historical societies, county extension offices, student groups, city and county governments, and other stakeholder individuals and organizations interested in conserving Tennessee’s countryside and maintaining authentic connections to our cultural roots.

The Heritage Farms Program also aims to promote economic development in rural areas by highlighting the importance of agriculture to the state’s overall economy. Historic farms often attract visitors and tourists who not only appreciate the beauty of the pastoral landscapes, but admire the character, persistence and resourcefulness of Tennesseans who make their livelihoods as producers of civilization’s sustenance.

Given the range of continuing challenges facing today’s farmers, words that Van West penned more than three and a half decades ago — in the midst of the 1980s American Farm Crisis — take on even greater import today: “In a time of agricultural crisis, the legacy of the Century Farmers is a potent reminder that farmers in the past have survived similar hard times to prosper in the future.”

Cocke County’s Fair Means More than Mere Fun

July 31, 2023 Linda Cocke County TN, events

Cocke County’s Feisty Summer Fair Marks 75 Years of Celebrating Local Culture, Building Community Bonds and Preserving Ties to Rural Life

County fairs are a beloved tradition of late summer, filled with nostalgia, excitement, and friendly competition. Fairs hold a special place in our hearts, with songs, books and movies dedicated to capturing their magic. As we stroll through the fairgrounds, memories of childhood come flooding back – the exhilarating rides of the midway, the tantalizing smells of fair food, and the vibrant displays of animals, canned goods, pies, and other products of country living vying for that esteemed blue ribbon or prize money or, perhaps most coveted, bragging rights.

The history of the modern fair dates back to 1811, when it was established as a platform for farmers to share their innovative farming techniques and foster a sense of community among farming families. It became a friendly battleground where farmers and their families competed for the title of “best of show,” presenting before the community their prized animals and delectable preserves.

Popular media celebrates fairs in small towns. Consider the fictional town of Mayberry R.F.D when the fair took center stage in several episodes, celebrating everything from beauty pageants to Aunt Bee’s famous pickles. These depictions only served to reinforce the significance of fairs in both small and large communities.

In Cocke County, the first organized fair was held in 1948 at the fairground’s current location. Since then, these friendly community competitions have evolved beyond pickles, pageants, and poultry. Come to enjoy Gospel Singing, Bluegrass music, tractor pulls, and the midway filled with rides and carnival foods. The demolition derby and the firemen challenge add an extra dose of excitement to the fair. And this year, as the fair celebrates its 75th anniversary, there will be a celebration of the Century Farms of Cocke County.

County fairs are not just about the attractions and competitions; they are about coming together as a community, celebrating our agricultural heritage, and creating lasting memories. So mark your calendars for August 15-19, 2023 at the Cocke County Fair.

The 3 Rivers of the Adventure Side of the Smokies

May 16, 2023 Linda Outdoor Adventures

The three rivers of Cocke County are destinations for exciting recreational adventures on the Adventure Side of the Smokies. The history of these rivers shaped the past and are now shaping the future of recreation in Cocke County.

The Pigeon River is synonymous with some of the best white water rafting in the southeast. The river extends 70 miles, beginning in the mountains of North Carolina, flowing northwest into Tennessee. The river is impounded at Walter’s Dam in Waterville. It is the scheduled dam releases that create the exciting white water rafting between Waterville and the take-out in Hartford TN. The lower end of the Pigeon continues to the confluence of the French Broad in Newport, TN.

The 216 mile French Broad River also begins in North Carolina and serves as a drainage basin for the both the Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests. When the river enters Cocke County, it flows along the East Tennessee Crossing National Scenic Byway before entering the Holston River. The river is known for spring time rafting and kayaking when the water is running high, and both fishermen who bank and float fish. All thirty three (33 miles) of the river flowing in Cocke County were designated as a state scenic river. Read more about the scenic portion of the river from local paddler and birder, Michael S, here. ling

The Nolichucky River runs 115 miles from the highest mountains in eastern North Carolina and Tennessee until it reaches Cocke County creating the upper basin of Douglas Lake. The river serves to create a county border with Hamblen County. This area and the adjacent Rankin Bottom WMA is known for birdwatching, and when the lake begins to fill in the spring, locals know that the fishing is excellent.

newport tn

How to spend a weekend in the Adventure Side of the Smokies

A&I Fair- A Timeless Tradition in Cocke County

Hogs to H.O.Gs- The French Broad River Road

Newport: A City History Shaped by Transportation

Newport Harvest Street Festival Oct. 5-6, 2024: Harvesting Memories

Cocke County’s Century Farms Highlight TN Agricultural Heritage

Cocke County’s Fair Means More than Mere Fun

Cocke County’s Feisty Summer Fair Marks 75 Years of Celebrating Local Culture, Building Community Bonds and Preserving Ties to Rural Life

The 3 Rivers of the Adventure Side of the Smokies

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The 3 Rivers of the Adventure Side of the Smokies