Obed Wild and Scenic River

Obed Wild and Scenic River

Obed Wild and Scenic River is located in Tennessee and offers 45 miles of scenic river. The park has whitewater ranging from Class II to Class IV, along with hiking trails, rock climbing, and ranger programs. 

About Obed Wild and Scenic River 

The Obed River winds through the Cumberland Plateau, offering beautiful scenery and amazing outdoor recreation.

The park's watershed has four principal waterways: the Obed River, Clear Creek, Daddy’s Creek, and the upper Emory River.

The river looks pretty much the same today as it did in the 1700s when the first white settlers explored these river systems.

Obed Wild and Scenic River offers everything from hiking to white water kayaking and exploring.

 

Is Obed Wild and Scenic River worth visiting?

 Yes, Obed Wild and Scenic River is definitely worth visiting. This protected area is located in eastern Tennessee and offers a multitude of activities for visitors to enjoy, including mountain climbing, hiking, whitewater rafting, and more. The scenic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and ecological processes also make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts. With several nice-sized towns and cities nearby, access to the park is also relatively easy. Overall, visitors to Obed Wild and Scenic River can expect a memorable outdoor adventure and a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of Tennessee.

Things to know before your visit  

Entrance fee 

There is no entrance fee to enter the park.

If you are planning a National Park vacation perhaps you may want to purchase an access pass. America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually. 

Time Zone 

The park is in both central and eastern time zones.

Obed WSR is spread between Morgan County and Cumberland County and includes 5,000 acres of park.

Pets 

Pets are allowed in the park but must be on a leash less than 6 feet long. 

Cell Service

While cellular service is good at the visitor center location, it may be less reliable when out in the park.

Park Hours

 The park is open 24 hours a day.

Wi-Fi

 Free WiFi is available at the Obed Wild & Scenic River Visitor Center

Insect Repellent

Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water. 

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. 

Water Bottle 

Make sure to bring your own water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

Parking

There are several parking areas throughout the Obed Wild and Scenic River for visitors to use. These include the visitor center, Nemo Bridge, and various trailheads.

Food/Restaurants

There are no establishments within the park, but there are numerous establishments in the town of Wartburg.

Gas

 There are no gas stations within the park

Drones

Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.

National Park Passport Stamps

National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.

Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us. 

Electric Vehicle Charging

 There are no EV charging stations within the Obed Wild and Scenic River itself. The nearest EV charging station is 2 miles away on Knoxville Highway

Details about Obed Wild and Scenic River 

Size -  The Obed Wild and Scenic River consists of almost 3,500 acres of federally-owned land plus 1,723 acres of private and state land, for a total of 5,173 acres. 

Check out how the park compares to other  National Parks by Size. 

Date Established 

Obed WSR was Established on October 12, 1976, by President Gerald Ford.

Visitation 

In 2022,  NP had  306,502 park visitors. 

In 2021,  NP had 247,826 park visitors. 

In 2020,  NP had 237,837  park visitors. 

In 2019,  NP had 221,301  park visitors.

Learn more about the most visited and least visited National Parks in the US

National Park Address

208 North Maiden Street
Wartburg, Tennessee, 37887
United States

The visitor center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET) every day, except Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

National Park Map

 

Where is Obed Wild and Scenic River?

 Obed Wild and Scenic River is located in the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee, in the southeastern part of the United States. It is situated near the town of Wartburg, Tennessee.

Estimated distance from major cities nearby

 Oak Ridge, TN- 21 miles 

Lenoir City, TN- 38 miles 

Farragut, TN- 39 miles 

Clinton, TN- 39 miles 

Crossville, TN-  49 miles 

Knoxville, TN- 44 miles 

Alcoa, TN- 50 miles

Nashville, TN- 139 miles 

Lexington-Fayette, KY- 165 miles 

Atlanta, GA- 216 miles 

Louisville, KY- 209 miles 

Cincinnati, OH- 249 miles

Birmingham, AL- 243 miles 

Charlotte, NC- 275 miles

Estimated Distance from nearby National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 70 mlies 

Mammoth Cave National Park - 138 miles 

New River Gorge National Park - 301 miles 

Gateway Arch National Park - 445 miles 

Indiana Dunes National Park - 510 miles

Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 484 miles

Where is the National Park Visitor Center?

 The Obed Wild and Scenic River Visitor Center is located in downtown Wartburg, Tennessee .

Address: 208 North Maiden Street

Wartburg, Tennessee, 37887

A small bookstore is also included in the visitor center, which is open daily from 9:00-5:00 pm (ET), daily. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

Getting to Obed Wild and Scenic River 

Closest Airports 

 McGhee Tyson Airport- 48 miles 

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport- 106 miles 

Nashville International Airport- 132 miles

International Airports

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport- 241 miles 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport- 226 miles 

Louisville International Airport- 211 miles 

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport- 247 miles 

Charlotte Douglas International Airport- 270 miles

Regional Airports

Tri-Cities Regional Airport- 145 miles 

Asheville Regional Airport- 165 miles 

Blue Grass Airport- 175 miles

Driving Directions

From the East
Take State Route 62 West, then veer to the right onto State Route 27. Make a left onto Kingston Street, and follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street.

From the West
Take State Route 62 East, then make a right onto State Route 27 South. Make a right onto Kingston Street, and follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street.

From the North
Follow State Route 27 South into Wartburg. Make a right onto Kingston Street, and follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street.

From the South
Follow State Route 27 North into Wartburg. Make a left onto Kingston Street, then follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street.

 

Best time to visit 

It is recommended to visit Obed Wild and Scenic River during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. The summer can be hot and humid, and the winter can be cold and rainy. However, the best time to visit may depend on personal preferences and the specific activities planned.

Weather and Seasons

Spring—The spring season at Obed Wild and Scenic River is March through May; temperatures can range from the mid-40s to the mid-70s. During the spring, the park is known for its beautiful wildflowers and lush vegetation, and the waters are typically crystal clear. It is a great time for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Summer - During the months of June through August, the summer season at Obed Wild and Scenic River, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s. Despite potential crowding at this time, it is a popular season for water activities like swimming and tubing due to the warmer weather.

Fall- The fall season at Obed Wild and Scenic River is from September through November. During fall, temperatures can drop from the mid-70s F at the beginning of September to the mid-40 degrees by the end of November. This season is known for its beautiful foliage and cooler temperatures, making it a great time for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Winter - The winter season at Obed Wild and Scenic River is from December through February. During this time, temperatures range from the mid-20s to the mid-40s. Winter at the park can be cold and rainy, with occasional snow and ice. Despite the cooler temperatures, winter can be a great time to visit for those who enjoy activities such as winter hiking and photography. It is recommended to check the weather forecast and contact the park or visit their website for more specific information as weather patterns can vary.

Best Things to do in Obed Wild and Scenic River 

 Visitor Center

The park visitor center is located in the town of Wartburg, Tennessee. You will want to stop into the visitor center before heading out to explore the park.

The different parts of the park are fairly spread out so you will want to know which areas you plan to visit.

The National Park Service visitor center has free WiFi and offers exhibits on the river, its inhabitants, the cultural history of the area, and the recreational opportunities that the park provides.

There is a 14-minute park movie available at the visitor center.

Open daily from 9:00-5:00 pm (ET), daily.

The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

Visitor Center Address:

208 North Maiden Street
Wartburg, Tennessee, 37887
United States

Junior Ranger Program 

The Obed WSR Junior Ranger program can be picked up at the visitor center or printed before you head to the park.

This booklet is available in both English and Spanish.

Ranger Programs

One of the great things about this park is all of the ranger-guided hikes and events that are held each week.

They have everything from coffee with a ranger to night sky programs.

All of the programs are free and normally run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

International Dark Sky Park

Obed WSR was designated an international dark sky park in 2017.

Birdwatching/Wildlife

More than 100 species of birds can be found within the park. You can also find bobcats, beavers, raccoons, minks, otters, and white-tailed deer.

Rock Climbing

The cliffs of Obed are world-renowned with over 400 named routes that vary in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.13.

Fishing

Obed Wild and Scenic River is home to many species of fish including large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, red eye, crappie, muskie, perch, drum, catfish, shad, suckers, and carp.

Tennessee fishing licensing rules apply.

Hiking

Obed WSR has hiking trails ranging from .2 miles to 14.2 difficult miles. The park newsletter has current trail information and distances.

The Lilly Bluff Overlook Trail is on level ground and is handicap accessible.

A portion of the Cumberland Trail can be found within the park.

Always carry the 10 essentials for outdoor survival when exploring.

How to beat the crowds

 To beat the crowds at Obed Wild and Scenic River, it is best to visit during the weekdays and arrive early in the morning. It is also recommended to visit during the off-season months of December to May

Where to stay when visiting 

There are no National Park Lodges within the park.

Nearby Lodging includes:

 Comfort Suites -  If you need a hotel near the airport, you might want to check out Comfort Suites. They offer a free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace, as well as free in-room WiFi, a garden, and dry cleaning/laundry services.

Super 8 by Wyndham Crossville TN-  Super 8 by Wyndham Crossville TN is a hotel that offers several amenities to guests, including complimentary to-go breakfast, an on-site shopping area, and a library. Additionally, all guests can enjoy free in-room WiFi and access to the business center. The hotel also has a seasonal outdoor pool and provides free self-parking and RV/bus/truck parking on site. 

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Harriman, an IHG Hotel- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Harriman, an IHG Hotel is a hotel located in Harriman, Tennessee, just off Interstate 40 and close to Roane Memorial Gardens. The hotel offers a daily hot breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi, and access to an indoor pool and fitness center. There is also a business center and 24-hour front desk service available. The hotel's rooms offer modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges.

 

Comfort Inn Harriman- Comfort Inn Harriman is a hotel located in Harriman, Tennessee, that offers a range of amenities to guests, including an outdoor pool, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel provides easy access to many local points of interest and the guest rooms are equipped with premium cable channels, wireless internet access, and free local calls. 

Click on the map below to see current vacation rentals and lodges near the park.

Camping

Rock Creek Campground is located in the Nemo area of the park.

This primitive campground is $10 a night.

Must call 1-877-444-6777 or make a reservation online prior to arriving at the campground.

There is also backcountry camping available in the park.  A free backcountry camping permit is
required and can be obtained at the Obed Visitor Center or online.

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando.

Additional National Park Sites near Obed Wild and Scenic River

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park - Complete guide to exploring Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.

Andrew Johnson National Historical Site - Complete guide to exploring Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area - Complete guide to exploring Big South Fork National Recreation Area

Camp Nelson National Monument - Your complete Guide to exploring Camp Nelson National Monument

Carl Sandburg National Historic Site - Complete Guide to Exploring Carl Sandburg National Historic Site

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park - Your complete guide to exploring Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Parks

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Complete guide to exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park - Complete Guide to Exploring Mammoth Cave National Park

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument - Complete Guide for Exploring Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

Stones River National Battlefield - Complete guide to exploring Stones River National Battlefield

Check out all of the National Parks in Tennessee along with neighboring Alabama National Parks, Georgia National Parks, South Carolina National Parks, North Carolina National Parks, and Kentucky National Parks.