As we have reached the middle of the summer, the time for outdoor activities is at its peak with a variety of activities to choose from to do.

With over 61 million people in the United States hiking at least once a year in 2023, there are plenty of people on the hunt for a new spot. East Tennessee has some of the most attractive hiking spots, ranging from higher altitude climbs to scenic overlooks to places where you can take a cooling dip to beat the heat.

Here are some places to try this summer:

Higher-altitude hikes

It’s hot in Tennessee, and sometimes the only way to cool off is to get high up into in the Great Smoky Mountains. Here are some trails that will get you up where the breezes will give you a break from the stifling heat.

Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the highest peak in Tennessee, and the Appalachian Trail runs right over the top. The peak is 6,643 feet.

There are a variety of long trails to take to reach the peak, including Forney Creek Trail, Noland Creak/Forney Ridge Trail, Noland Divide Trail, Little River Trail/Goshen Prong Trail, Sugar Mountain Trail and the Appalachian Trail at Fontana Dam.

You can also drive to the parking lot at the top and explore from there. The half-mile paved trail to the observation tower is an easy one. Andrews Bald is another trail from the Clingmans Dome parking lot. It’s 3.6 miles round trip and has gorgeous views.

Mt. LeConte is the third highest peak in the national park at 6,593 ft. The trails leading up to Mt. LeConte vary in difficulty.

The six trails leading to Mt. Leconte are the Alum Cave Trail, Boulevard Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, Bullhead Trail and Brushy Mountain Trail. They vary in length, too, but all reach the cool, breezy top. As a bonus, the LeConte Lodge has snacks, souvenirs and outhouses.

Hikes with views, even in the summer

Winter hikes in Tennessee have sweeping views when the lush trees lose their leaves. In the summer, you have to plan to make sure you’re able to catch those gorgeous sightlines.

House Mountain is the highest peak in Knox County and rises to an elevation of 2,064 feet. There are four main trails for hiking this wooded mountain ,and they add up to about 4.5 miles. The hike should take approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete so make sure to be well prepared and have some good hiking shoes. The view of surrounding communities and mountain ranges is at the top.

Sharp’s Ridge Loop Trail at Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park in Knoxville is known for having one of the best views of the Smoky Mountains (without having to go there). The unpaved trail is 5.4 miles long and loops back to the start, averaging about an hour and 30 minutes. The high ridge takes you high over downtown for amazing city views.

Hiking trails where you can swim, too

After a hike through the woods, it is nice to have a place for a refreshing swim.

River Trail Loop at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville is an excellent mix between forest and water as the trail travels in the woods and alongside the Tennessee River. The trail is 1.3 miles long at a low elevation with an average of 30 minutes to complete. The location provides easy access to swimming opportunities with kayaking at the Ijams Riverside landing nearby Mead’s Quarry Lake for a cooling dip in the water. There are no lifeguards, however, and jumping of the cliffs is prohibited.

Littler River Trail in Townsend is another great opportunity for those looking for an easy hike and a fun place to swim. The trail is an easier one at about 5 miles with an elevation of just 412 feet. This location also offers excellent opportunity for swimming and tubing as the trail is located all along the Little River. It’s a summertime must for families and a place where childhood memories are made.

Metcalf Bottoms Trail an easy trail located in Gatlinburg with at a 100-foot elevation gain that should take less than an hour to complete at 1.2 miles round trip. Hiking is optional for those visiting Metcalf Bottoms because of its excellent picnic and swimming locations for those wanting a more relaxing ‒ and wetter ‒ excursion.

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Pick Tennessee Products (PTP) program has joined together with Homegrown By Heroes to better promote local agricultural products produced by Tennessee farmer veterans.

The Homegrown By Heroes label is the official farmer U.S. military veteran branding program. Administered by the National Farmer Veteran Coalition, it certifies ranchers, farmers, and fishermen from all military branches to sell their products as veteran-owned and produced.

PTP has been connecting people everywhere to all the great things that come from Tennessee’s farms and food businesses for more than 30 years. The PTP logo informs consumers that the products displayed are produced in Tennessee.

“We are proud of our military men and women and are honored when they choose to join our agricultural community,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “This merged Homegrown By Heroes and Pick Tennessee Products logo will allow our farmer veterans to stand out in the market as not only a Tennessee product but also a veteran-produced product.”

The mission of the Farmer Veteran Coalition is to mobilize veterans to feed America. They work to cultivate a new generation of farmers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. The Tennessee chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC-TN) assists veterans by finding resources that will help them start their agricultural dream.

“As the President of the Tennessee chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, I am excited about the partnership of Homegrown By Heroes and Pick Tennessee Products.” Ron Bridges, owner of Bee Ridges Farm in Anderson County, said. “This merged logo will serve as a symbol of the productive partnership between FVC-TN and TDA. Many FVC-TN members have enjoyed the benefits of advertising through the Pick Tennessee Products website and adding their Homegrown By Heroes veteran status has helped increase their customer base. Merging the two logos simplifies their visual presence and honors their military service and their farm’s specialty status.”

Many members of FVC-TN are beginning farmers working hard to build their customer base. “Having the Pick TN Products and Homegrown By Heroes logos as part of our farm’s marketing has been a tremendous help in reassuring customers of our quality and integrity,” said Rory Williams of M and R Farm in Marshall County. “I imagine that combining the two logos will strengthen our relationship-building going forward. We are honored to be able to advertise that our farm qualifies for both.”

Jennifer Rafn, owner of Pecan Hill Farms in Lincoln County, said, “We are proud to be able to share with our customers and others that we are a Pick Tennessee Products producer and a Homegrown By Heroes producer. We look forward to being able to showcase both memberships and hope to stand out as a producer with the combined logo.”

Find out more about Homegrown By Heroes by visiting farmvetco.org/hbh/. Find local products and more at www.picktnproducts.org/ and the free Pick TN mobile app. Look for the Homegrown By Heroes logo throughout the Pick Tennessee Products website to find a farmer veteran near you.

The Tennessee Volunteers already have the No. 11 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle. In honor of America’s birthday, we look at what fireworks could be in store as they close this class.

The 4th of July always calls for fireworks and festivites as we celebrate our country’s birth. The Tennessee Volunteers are still swinging hard on the recruiting trail this month, and we examine a few potential fireworks that could be set off over the next few weeks for them.

Landing David Sanders

Providence Day School offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. is officially in decision mode after a flurry of official visits this summer. It seems like his recruitment will stretch into August, with a decision coming before his senior season. There are several blue blood programs still fighting for his services, but this battle likely comes down to Ohio State vs. Tennessee. Sanders would be the highest-rated commit to join Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel.

Surviving the race for Travis Smith

Westlake High School wide receiver Travis Smith will commit to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, or Tennessee on July 13. The talented Peach State native has favored the Bulldogs throughout his recruitment, but recent developments point to the Vols as a top suitor for his services. He ranks as the No. 75 prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, and would be Tennessee’s third wide receiver commit in the 2025 class.

Flipping Jadon Perlotte

Buford High School linebacker Jadon Perlotte is one of the most physically gifted defenders in America. The long-time Georgia commit has always kept an open recruitment, and Tennessee has actively recruited him for a long time. The Vols had a lot of buzz after his official visit this summer and are swinging hard to make him the centerpiece of their linebacker class.

Tennessee’s 2025 Recruiting Class:

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