There's A Tiny Town In Tennessee Completely Surrounded By Breathtaking Natural Beauty
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on March 22, 2023(Originally published March 17, 2023)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tellico Plains is located in East Tennessee, a small town in Monroe County that holds the key to our state’s greatest known natural beauty. It was named for the nearby Tellico River, although the history of this plot of land goes deep and wide. It doesn’t hurt that it’s accented by the Cherohala Skyway, either. So when you are looking for some things to do in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, we have plenty of sights to see. Care to adventure out with us?
Tellico Plains was incorporated in 1911 and went by many names before Tennessee settled on its current moniker. Names that include Great Tellico, Teliquo, Tallequah, Great Terriquo, and Talikwa. We happen to love the current name and it seems to fit very nicely.
There are less than 1,000 people currently living in Tellico Plains, with a population fluctuating around 763. It makes for a tight community and sweet atmosphere, a small town nestled at the foot of a great beauty. Our state benefits from lovely little towns like these where everyone knows your name and no one is ever a stranger for very long.
Here, you can see Tellico Plains in 1938. The history of the area goes back over thousands of years, however, with a deep and beautiful tie to Native American culture. Archaeological points have tied the area to a Cherokee settlement that thrived for many years before the encroachment of European settlers.
We keep mentioning beautiful places and stunning spots around Tellico Plains - and we weren't kidding. It's at the foot of the Cherohala Skyway and boasts the Cherokee National Forest, two of the most widely trafficked scenic areas in the state. These places are just begging to be explored and filled with natural wonders like overlooks, waterfalls, and more.
The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway that runs from Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina. It passes through two national forests and boasts some of the most beautiful views on the east side of the state. We recommend you take it slow and take full advantage of the views because it's not every day you get to drive a road this gorgeous.
We'd recommend visiting during autumn - the fall colors are absolutely stunning! But if you happen to take the drive during other parts of the year expect some loving blooming trees and plants in the spring. You can witness the lush green colors covering the beautiful mountains, and the road does not close during the winter so after a snowstorm everything will be sparkling in a blanket of white.
The Cherokee National Forest is a 640,000-acre forest that can be accessed from Tellico Plains, as well. It's a popular place for hiking, fishing, and the occasional trip to a hidden swimming hole. Millions of visitors flock from all around to visit. To really experience a place the best thing to do is lace up those hiking shoes and head out into the forest.
Did you know there are 20,000 species of plants and animals in the Cherokee National Forest? It's known as one of the most diverse parks in Tennessee when it comes to wildlife and plants.
Tellico Plains may be small, but it boasts many a big adventure. Head to Tellico River or Bald River Falls, enjoy a leisurely drive across state lines on the Cherohala Skyway, and wander through the Cherokee National Forest. This is a place rife with beauty and history, topped up on some of the most beautiful scenery Tennessee has to offer.
Have you been to Tellico Plains? We'd love to know your favorite tips and tricks and adventure stories in the comments below! Maybe this gorgeous sunset from the Skyway will jog your memory...
Take a drive, chase some waterfalls, go on a hike, we have to say, there is quite a bit of things to do in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. With the beautiful Cherohala Skyway, you can have endless things to see and do on this scenic drive. If you want to get a closer look at this lovely road trip follow along by watching this video from YouTuber, Rachel Conquers The World:
