Hidden Treasures #3

Welcome to the third installment of our exploration of some of the most beautiful, off-the-beaten-path places in the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains. In this issue, we hand picked some water-related hot spots perfect for late summer days: hikes, waterfalls, swimming holes and everything in between — areas that are perfect for dipping your toes, or your whole self, into the water.

Cummins Falls

Photo by Chuck Sutherland

Established this year, Cummins Falls State Park is home to a majestic 75-foot waterfall and a swimming hole rated as one of the best in America by Travel + Leisure magazine. From the parking area, a three-mile hike leads you to the sound of rushing water. The trail turns to rock-hopping and wading as you approach the falls.

Stair-step rocks at the base of the waterfall provide perfect perches for cooling down on a hot day. The pool at the base of the falls is big enough to cannonball into with plenty of places to sit in shallow water and sunbathe when you get out.

Between 1825 and 2010, the waterfall and surrounding area belonged to the Cummins family, who allowed the public to visit the falls. Several years ago, a development was proposed to take over the land surrounding the falls, but the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation worked with the community to raise enough money to turn the area into Tennessee’s newest state park. Open from 8 a.m. to sunset year round, and overnight camping is not allowed. — By Jessica Kennedy

More Info: Located nine miles north of Cookeville, Tenn. Visit: tn.gov/environment/parks/CumminsFalls

Photo by Ken Gables Photography lighttowrite.com

Tellico River

Although the Tellico River begins in Western North Carolina, the majority of this fishing and whitewater haven flows through Monroe County, Tenn. A tributary of the Little Tennessee River, the best aspect of the Tellico is the quiet, peaceful trout fishing; it’s possible to find many spots along the river where you are alone with the fish and the sound of the river. Two tributaries of the Tellico, Bald River and North River, are also managed as wild trout streams and worth checking out if you want to venture a little deeper. Fishing season is year-round but best in spring or fall. Be sure to get your state issued fishing permit if you plan to fish here.

Ridgeline Pipeline Construction Impacts in Rural East Tennessee

Neighbors share about noise, unpredictable construction schedules and other disruptions due to methane gas pipeline construction in East Tennessee. The 122-mile Ridgeline Expansion Project, constructed and owned by East Tennessee Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Enbridge, a multibillion-dollar Canadian fossil fuel company, was approved to go into service Nov. 1.

Three men crowd around a laptop on a foldout table in a warehouse that also holds a cardboard sign that reads "Sam: Chief of Staff" and a vase of flowers

Neighbors Help Neighbors

A photo essay that celebrates the volunteer spirit of the grassroots group Hurricane Helene WNC and speaks to the resourcefulness, collaboration and hard work embodied by thousands and thousands of volunteers, first responders and aid workers across the region after Hurricane Helene.

The Resonator, a century-old modified pump organ, is the centerpiece of one of the House of Art’s permanent exhibits, surrounded by creepy computer junk and red and blue and green neon lights

Halloween Approaches, and Night School Is in Session

The House of Art in Bluefield, West Virginia, looks like a haunted tower, making it the perfect location for its sixth annual haunt event: Night School. The Night School will be open every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31.

Rows of vendors under pop-up tents are filling a grassy area at the annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration in Middle Tennessee. Pride flags are hanging on some booths

‘The Most Perfect Act of Love’

Hundreds of people attended the second annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration on a 24-acre farm dubbed “Fruity Farm” in Bethpage, Sumner County, Tennessee.

An Indiana bat in a white-gloved hand with a black background

Signs of Life: Endangered Bats Found in Nantahala for First Time in More Than a Decade

In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.

Dan Buchanan stands in front of Double Island Volunteer Fire Department's fire engine

‘First Line of Defense’

During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.

Hidden Treasures #3 – Tennessee

Cummins Falls

Tellico River