Cherokee National Forest in Northeast Tennessee is an underrated destination for high elevation Appalachia. The Unaka Mountain Range, a short drive from Johnson City, just outside of Unicoi and Erwin, Tennessee, are an accessible, scenic band of 4000+ foot ridges with views of a few of the area’s Southern Sixers - a collection of peaks over 6000’.
With access to the Appalachian Trail at the aptly named Beauty Spot, a USFS campground with stream fed swimming pool at Rock Creek, and several other stops along the way, Unaka Mountain is a great weekend adventure for the entire family.
