Carter brings together different kinds of trails: the ten-mile Tweetsie Trail follows a former railroad corridor between Johnson City and Elizabethton; the Appalachian Trail crosses the Pond Mountain Wilderness. There are also rivers, waterfalls and historic sites. The region therefore offers different ways to experience its landscape and culture, without everything revolving around a single attraction.
Hiking Trails with Different Profiles
The Hampton Watershed Trails comprise six miles of singletrack. The routes range from easy to challenging. The Tweetsie Trail offers a different experience: it is a gravel biking trail on a former railroad corridor, used by walkers, runners and cyclists.
The Appalachian Trail can also be explored via several access points. Access points throughout Carter County make out-and-back hikes possible and provide routes to numerous local attractions. At Carver’s Gap, the trail crosses the road. Within the Pond Mountain Wilderness, it passes through an area that also includes streams, waterfalls and hiking trails.
Rivers and Landscapes
The Doe River flows between Roan Mountain and Elizabethton. There are opportunities for fishing and kayaking along the river. The Doe River Fishing Trail provides public access to more than eight miles of the river for anglers of all ages.
The Watauga River flows west from Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina into Tennessee. Activities there include world-class trout fishing, rafting and kayaking. The tailwater section begins below Wilbur Dam in Elizabethton. At Watauga Lake, the Cherokee National Forest protects much of the shoreline from development.
Roan Mountain State Park encompasses 2,006 acres of Southern Appalachian forest at the foot of 6,285-foot Roan Mountain. The Pond Mountain Wilderness, in turn, encompasses 6,935 acres. Laurel Fork Falls, also known locally as Laurel Falls, is within this wilderness area.
Historic Sites and Architecture
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area has an interpretive museum and a film about the history of the site and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is also home to a reconstruction of the 18th-century Fort Watauga. The museum, film and reconstructed fort offer different ways to learn about the history of the site and region.
Sabine Hill is an example of a Federal-style timber-frame building. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park offers tours of the Sabine Hill State Historic Site year-round; their availability depends on events. Check the relevant dates before planning your visit. A self-guided walking tour in downtown Elizabethton leads to landmarks that have played an important role in the city’s history. Carter Mansion is the oldest timber-frame house in Tennessee.
Events Throughout the Year
Annual events in Carter County include the Roan Mountain Farmers Market, held from May through September. The Covered Bridge Jams run from June through September. The Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival takes place in June, and the Fall Naturalists Rally takes place in September. If you would like to plan your visit around one of these events, check the dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Elizabethton, Lewis County, Scott County, Dyer, Gibson, Warren County, Maury County, Dickson County
For the broader travel guide: Tennessee.
