NPS Website
WHAT IS IT?The Obed WSR protects a few dozen miles of some of the last free-flowing water left in Tennessee.
BEAUTY (7/10)
The scenery was a lot more beautiful than we had ever imagined. The Clear Creek and Obed River have cut gentle 500-foot gorges in the surrounding sandstone. The views are dramatic, especially with the fall foliage.
HISTORICAL INTEREST (2/10)
It is amazing to find a stretch of whitewater in eastern Tennessee where FDR and the TVA did not place a dam.
CROWDS (3/10)
The Park Ranger in Wartburg warned us about the lands surrounding the Obed. “The Park is only the immediate cliffs that border the water. The locals run the rest of the land. Be careful, stay on the roads I tell you and don’t wander off the trails because, while it may not hunting season, there might be people out there hunting.” The Ranger succeeded; we were petrified.
That being said, we hiked up to the Lily Bluff Overlook and were attacked only once; and that was by a white-tailed deer. More on that later.
EASE OF USE/ACCESS (1/5)Wartburg, Tenn. is located along U.S. Route 27, about 20 miles north of Interstate 40, Exit 347. The nearest city is Oak Ridge, home of Manhattan Project, located 20 miles to the southeast.
Once you reach Wartburg, go to the Visitor Center (there are signs) and pick up a map. The River has only four paved access points. The River runs only in the winter, when the temperature is bound to be cold. There is only one NPS-marked hiking trail. Sandstone rocks along this trail seemed to be good rock climbing spots.
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (1/5)
There was no bookstore at the Park Visitor Center.
COSTS (4/5)
Everything here is free.
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (3/5)
The Ranger at the desk was super helpful and very kind.
TOURS/CLASSES (2/10)
Uh, nothing. But the nice Ranger answered everything we wanted to know.
FUN (5/10)
We were a little scared to hike up to Lilly Bluff overlook, 500 feet above where we parked our car. No one wants to be mistaken for a deer and shot. So we stuck close together and talked loudly. Once we grew more confident in our solitude, we reverted to our usual hiking routine: Michael plowing ahead while Gabby takes her peaceful time.
At the bluff top, the trail zigzagged upward, finishing at a beautiful overlook of the rivers’ confluence and the surrounding sandstone cliffs. While at the top, Michael heard a rustling in the trees. Then the rustling started to move away from him and right towards where he imagined Gab to be moseying up the trail. He nervously chuckled, waiting to hear what he could not see.
Gab was indeed moseying along when the shrubs three feet to her right came alive with motion. She looked up to see a beautiful doe charging directly at her. Both froze, stared at each other and then one of them (the deer) had the sense to change course inches before contact. She rushed up to find Michael and confirmed the near collision that he expected.WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (2/10)
Unless you live in Oak Ridge or Knoxville, there is no reason to travel here except to get the National Parks Passport stamp.
TOTAL 30/80
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