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Twin Falls, one of the most breathtaking around, isn’t exactly an au naturel beauty. It was created by the damming of the Caney Fork River, though the water does manage to find its own way through the limestone to feed the falls. Before its damming, one could take the Caney Fork to New Orleans and all the way into the Gulf of Mexico.
Why we love it: All things water
Closest town: Rock Island, Tenn.
Drive time from Chattanooga: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where else can you see a Macho Move, Splats, a Jedi Flip, Lunar Orbit and Space Godzilla all in the same place? It's not a spoof on Star Wars, and it's actually within easy driving distance from Chattanooga.
If you're unfamiliar with Rock Island State Park, you're missing out. Not only is it renowned for freewater kayaking - hence the names of those tricks - it's also a great place to cast a line, cast your troubles on a sandy beach, or simply head off in search of natural wonder. You're in luck this summer if you prefer the former, because the Farmer's Almanac is calling for an especially wet one.
Freewater kayaking, or playboating as it's also called, is the art of doing hellacious tricks in fast-moving water, without actually moving downstream yourself. As soon as the water's flowing, paddlers turn up at this 883-acre park, which boasts cascading waterfalls and some mean turf for testing whitewater tricks.
The Specialist
This 1994 Sylvestere Stallone movie did some filming at Great Falls Dam. Go back and watch for the truck explosion scene.
Dam the man
The Caney Fork River has long been a draw. Many a merchant grew rich by harnessing the river's power - which also ended up being their undoing. The remnants of a 19th century cotton textile mill serve as a reminder of the enterprises that came before. Even the first electric operations there faced the fury of the river's rising waters, washing away the Tennessee Power Company's initial excavation work. Today, the dam is the only one outside the Tennessee River drainage basin directly operated by TVA.
A lake runs through it
Great Falls Dam created another huge water attraction: the 64-mile-long Center Hill Lake. Boasting 415 miles of shoreline, it's a peaceful spot to unwind year-round. In fact, it draws floods of visitors each year. Still, there is enough waterfront to keep everyone happy, and enough cabin rentals in the area that you should be able to find the perfect place for your jumping-off point. But that's not the only passive waterfront spot around. A natural sand beach fronts part of the Caney Fork River.
Pearls become us
Did you know the state gem is pearls? Or that Tennessee pearls are considered some of the most beautiful and durable in the world? Some of that has to do with the Caney Fork River, a hotspot for pearling leading up to and after the turn of the century, before the dam backed up the once fast-moving waters. In fact, the Tennessee Blue Book states, "The Caney Fork in Middle Tennessee was noted for its pearl-bearing mussels, and 'pearling' was a favorite sport on Sunday afternoons at the turn of the century. After World War I, dams were built on many of the rivers, and the mussels lost their swift and shallow shoals. Also, the waters became more toxic and pearling became unprofitable."
Learn More: tnstateparks.com/parks/about/rock-island