Two words: Savage Gulf. http://www.friendsofscsra.org/
I lived in East Tennessee for nearly a dozen years, about 15 minutes away from the Townsend entrance of the GSMNP. I spent LOTS of time in the Smokies and Big South Fork. Both are great destinations, but if you want to get to somewhere dramatic that isn't as visited, then let me suggest: the Fiery Gizzard Trails of Grundy Forest State Natural Area / Savage Gulf. Absolutely gorgeous gorge with few visitors once you make it past the world class Stone Door climbing destination.
It's located on Monteagle Mountain between Nashville and Chattanooga.
Stunning. Seriously. This coming from a guy that's paddled wintertime flood stage whitewater rivers all over the Cumberland Plateau and Smokies.
I lived in East Tennessee for nearly a dozen years, about 15 minutes away from the Townsend entrance of the GSMNP. I spent LOTS of time in the Smokies and Big South Fork. Both are great destinations, but if you want to get to somewhere dramatic that isn't as visited, then let me suggest: the Fiery Gizzard Trails of Grundy Forest State Natural Area / Savage Gulf. Absolutely gorgeous gorge with few visitors once you make it past the world class Stone Door climbing destination.
It's located on Monteagle Mountain between Nashville and Chattanooga.
Stunning. Seriously. This coming from a guy that's paddled wintertime flood stage whitewater rivers all over the Cumberland Plateau and Smokies.