Spring City, located in Rhea County in East Tennessee, is the dream weekend trip location for fishing and hiking lovers. With 780 miles of shoreline at Watts Bar Lake to the east and part of the lush Cumberland Plateau to the west, the outdoor options are endless.
The town even gained national recognition in the mid-1800s due in part to the warm springs, thought by Native Americans to have healing powers. These springs were a huge tourist draw, and it is said they attracted 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant at one point.
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Did you know?> The Piney River Trail is a segment of the Cumberland Trail, a more than 280-mile Scenic State Park in Tennessee with the official name of “Cumberland Trail State Scenic Park.” The Cumberland Trail begins at Cumberland Gap and ends on Signal Mountain.
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History Lesson> Learn about the history of Spring City at The Depot, a once-working railroad station. Visitors can explore the exhibits that reveal the local history of the city including information about Native Americans, Tennessee music, and the railroads that Spring City was built around.
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Where to stay> Arrowhead Resort: This resort offers motel rooms as well as cabins and a large camping site. To get the full nature experience of Spring City, camp outdoors at one of the campsites, conveniently located near a bathhouse with hot running water. Arrowhead also offers boat rentals to enjoy the lake.> Spring City Resort and Marina: To enjoy lake life at its finest, stay at Spring City Resort and Marina located on Watts Bar Lake in a one- to three-bedroom cabin or at the RV Park. Spring City Resort has a fine diner center and a beach to enjoy.
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The best fishing is said to start early March and last through October. Watts Bar is home to a variety of fish species. Popular targets for anglers include:> Black Bass: A springtime pursuit, this species is most active from April to June but successful catches happen year-round.> Crappie: Active during the months of March and April, this fish is a big catch at the lake.> Catfish: Blue, channel and flatheads are the most common catfish in Watts Bar Lake. Anglers often catch these prized fish while drift fishing.Source: townofspringcitytn.org
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Go Here for Hiking> Piney River Segment of the Cumberland Trail: For a day of hiking bliss, the Piney River Segment passes through dense forest that is home to almost all species of hard- and softwood trees indigenous to East Tennessee. Start early on the 8.5-mile, one-way hike and enjoy views of the Piney River while crossing the 100-foot suspension bridge. It is said that the entire end-to-end hike can take up to six hours, so be prepared with lunch and plenty of water. Both ends of the segment are accessible on Shut In Gap Road off of TN 68.> Stinging Fork Pocket Wilderness: An easier hiking option is the Stinging Fork Pocket Wilderness 3-mile loop. Starting from a plateau, the trail descends to the base of the beautiful 30-foot fan-shaped Stinging Fork Falls Waterfall shed from Stinging Fork Creek. The parking at the trailhead is located about 5 miles up Shut In Gap Road from Piney Falls State Natural area.> Twin Rocks Nature Trail: Another hiking option is Twin Rocks overlook, which can be reached after a short 2.5-mile hike. Twin Rocks is a short spur trail off the Piney River Trail and can be accessed on Shut In Gap Road. The trail starts with a bit of a climb to a crest and then levels off for nearly the rest of the hike. It ascends steeply again in the last stretch before a caged ladder must be crossed to reach the overlook.Source: cumberlandtrail.org