A view of Mountain King Room at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, Tenn., shows some of the sights awaiting cave explorers.This part of the world is prized for its natural assets: lush forests, pristine lakes and streams and picturesque waterfall vistas.
McMinnville, in rural Warren County, Tenn., has all those outdoor treasures on full display. The views and lakes are a big part of why many people choose to live there.
“We have some of the best kayaking, trails and places to camp,” said Norma Sterchi, who works for the Warren County Chamber of Commerce. “You don’t have to drive very far at all to see all that, but we’re also equal distance between Nashville and Chattanooga.”
The area is known for its vast underground caverns. Recently, PBS signed on to broadcast weekly bluegrass music from a massive performance venue in Cumberland Caverns. The naturally formed rock walls provide beautiful acoustics and the cavern operators have installed seating and a huge crystal chandelier to add ambiance.
The community also is situated on three rivers: The Collins, Caney Fork and Rocky rivers all crisscross the area. They provide plenty of recreation, including boating and fishing. But over the years, the water also fed the soil and made the region fertile farmland. Today, that industry continues.