Bristol Tennessee/Virginia Chamber of Commerce

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Appalachian Mountains

Bristol sits in the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, which include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee National Forest, and other wilderness areas. It’s a region of unsurpassed beauty and biological diversity, with more than 20,000 species of plants and animals.

Steep mountains, rock outcrops, and waterfalls create a varied landscape that harbors gorgeous arrays of springtime wildflowers, caves that provide habitat for endangered bats and rare salamanders, and dense forests filled with vast numbers of migrating songbirds.

The 640,000-acre Cherokee National Forest forms the largest tract of public land in Tennessee. It offers endless opportunities for camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, rafting, and hiking.

The famed Appalachian Trail crosses the Cherokee National Forest just a short distance east of Bristol. Numerous other trails in Bristol offer opportunities for day hikes or overnights.