5 Hidden Gems to Uncover in Anderson County, Tennessee

Anderson County welcomes visitors from all over the country to enjoy our lakes, outdoor adventures and unique history. It’s easy to fall in love with Anderson County’s most popular tourist destinations, but we also want to share a few that you may not know about. Here are 5 hidden gems in Anderson County that we think you’re going to love.

Coal Creek Cannon in Rocky Top - The cannon atop Militia Hill is a must see for all history buffs. The Tennessee Militia built Fort Anderson on Militia Hill during the Coal Creek War in 1892 as a base to fight miners who opposed the use of convict labor n area coal mines. Not wanting to kill innocent bystanders, only to restore order, the militia routinely fired cannons filled with mud into the town of Coal Creek (now Rocky Top). Today you can see the trenches that were dug and the replica of the cannon. Click here for directions. Learn more about the Coal Creek War at the Coal Miners Museum.

Windmills at Windrock Park – You may know that Windrock Park, the largest privately owned off-road park in the country offers over 350 miles of trails for an off-road adventure, but did you know that it’s also home to the Buffalo Mountain Windfarm? There are 15 massive windmills, some of which are over 256 feet tall with 136 foot blades creating a wing span of 395 feet. You can drive to see them and don’t have to be in an off-road vehicle to do so. Keep in mind, you will still need a land-use permit from Windrock Park to view the windmills, but trust us, the views are worth it!

Apple Blossom Café in Clinton – Our list wouldn’t be complete without a delicious place to eat. Apple Blossom Café is a family-owned café that celebrates southern comfort food. You will leave with a full belly of delicious food and be ready to plan your next visit. One of our favorites is the country fried steak! Located in Downtown Clinton, the café is a great place to eat after a day of shopping in the antique district.

Dirt Lab in Oak Ridge – If you’re into biking and like to have fun, then you have to check out the Dirt Lab at Haw Ridge Park. The Dirt Lab is a mountain bike skills park and pump track that lets users experiment and develop their skills. The Dirt Lab got its name due to the park’s proximity to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Children can play on the pump track and advanced riders can explore some of the jumps and wooden drop features. The Dirt Lab is fun for all ages and definitely worth a visit.

Overlook Point in Norris – Located off of Reservoir Road in the city of Norris, Observation Point offers spectacular views of Norris Dam, the Clinch River and Walden’s Ridge. You can drive to Observation Point and take in the beautiful view or become one with nature and hike Observation Point Trail which is about 1.1 miles to loop down and back up to the point. The elevation at the Point is 1380 feet and then descends to a low point of about 1190 feet. We highly recommend trying to catch a sunset at Observation Point!