We Bet You Didn't Know These Hidden Tennessee Destinations Even Existed

If you have traveled through Chattanooga, or live in the city, then chances are you have seen this island. Positioned right in the mighty Tennessee River, this island is visible but not easily accessible. The only way to get there is by boat and many people go to spend the day walking the trails or to go bird watching for the day -- but did you know that you can camp there? Only one group is allowed there a time, but for a small fee, you can have the whole island to yourself for the night! This is a bird sanctuary, too, so the chirping symphony of our feathered friends is a soothing sound that will lull you to sleep you during your stay. With a dense forest, you can be minutes away from the city but feel a million miles away. Also on the island is a rain shadow desert... what is a rain shadow desert you ask? It is a unique ecosystem wherein a large mountain shadows a land, and is common in places like Death Valley. Tennessee has its very own version created by the Veterans Bridge crossing over Maclellan Island; make sure you check it out when you go!

This hidden gem is location specific, but also encompasses a really fun fact about our state. The Fresh Water Pearl is our state’s official gem and it's all because of this unique location. Located in Camden right along the Tennessee River is the only place in North America where you can find this specific mussel that produces freshwater pearls. Onsite is a farm where they collect and monitor the process of these fine pieces of art but, they also have a campground, museum, and a jewelry store. There is something so fascinating about these incredible pearls and you can see them for yourself with a quick tour of the process.

Sycamore Shoals is a beautiful little park in Elizabethton that tells the historical story of an early settlement in Tennessee. The museum will recount the struggles of early pioneer life and highlights some pivotal figures like John Sevier. The museum is a quick fun and educational visit but they also have a replica of the early settlement you can explore. Plan it just right and you can see an epic reenactment of a conflict that took place over 200 years ago. There is also a beautiful trail that follows the river and makes for a pleasant stroll every time I have gone to visit.

Not only does it have a cool name but Raven Rock is a fun hike in Roan Mountain State Park. It is often considered the most popular trail in the park and will take you on a loop straight up to a beautiful overlook in the mountain. This trail is a little hidden though because there are no signs and no official trailhead; if you are interested in going, check out the above article on Raven Rock which includes a video so you know exactly where to go. Along the way, you will pass a water tower, a small graveyard, and some beautiful fern sections that I loved to see (ferns are my favorite plant).

The House of Mews is the only legal cat house in Memphis and serves as a cat sanctuary for all kittens big and small. Starting as one woman's dream to put an end to abandoned felines, she opened this house to foster and care for what's amounted to thousands of cats over the last 20+ years. The house holds cat-related goods and at any given time you will see 50 or more cats roaming free inside. They are always ready to play and will accept free tummy rubs all day long, so if you need a dose of cuteness in your life, pay them a visit... and who knows maybe adopt a cat or two while you are there!

Have you ever heard of the Lost Cove Settlement? Chances are you haven’t, because, well, it's lost. All joking aside, this location is not easy to get to and I wouldn’t recommend it without the proper preparation first. You can get there one of two ways: the first has you hiking straight up a mountain and through a black bear sanctuary, which for obvious reasons can be very dangerous. The second involves another trailhead that starts in North Carolina and winds back into Tennessee via a quite strenuous route that follows a train track with a section with a cliff on one side and a giant rock wall on the other side. Oh -- and did I mention the train is active? So that adds another element of difficulty to this trek. BUT -- when you arrive, what you will find deep in the woods is an old town with cabins and abandoned cars. There is a beautiful eeriness to this area as the buildings deteriorate and nature is reclaiming the land.

Like the Lost Cove Settlement, this relic is only found deep in the woods. The only way to see this gorgeous and hidden is to stay a night in Blackberry Mountain. Blackberry Mountain is a resort on the outskirts of the Great Smoky Mountains and while admittedly a bit of a splurge, what you get with your stay is a plethora of phenomenal options. One of them is the opportunity to hike into the woods and find this troll peacefully perched on the mountainside overlooking the incredible view of the mountains! His name is Leo the Enlightened and check out this video from the creator to learn more about this fantastic hidden art installation.

This one isn’t as spooky as it sounds and *is* in actuality a section of the Wolf River. The reason it is called "Ghost River" is because of the strange effect the water has in that area. The current everywhere else on the water flows very steadily, but this section of the river appears to stop entirely. Large cypress trees shoot out of the water and provide a nice covering in this area and there is a certain calming peace to the whole scene. You can kayak the river or take a short walk on the Ghost River Mineral Slough Boardwalk to enjoy this unique natural phenomenon.

I love Roan Mountain State Park and it offers a really amazing camping experience, but even better is the nearby Chalet Retreat. More than just a place to stay the night, you can view this more as a retreat and secluded oasis for rest. Located right at the base of a mountain, these rustic and charming accommodations give guests a place to get away from it all and unplug from a busy life. Enjoy the soothing sound of the creek running through the property, and at night the place lights up and is simply enchanting. The owners are some of the nicest people you will ever meet and will make sure your stay is a memorable one.

This is an interesting one to put on the list because it is kind of a local secret. Technically, they are located in Kingsport but only because that is where the best baker in the world lives. If you want to find a Werth Cookie, then your best bet is to meet them at the Johnson City Farmers Market -- but they also sell their cookies in various locations around East Tennessee and ship them all over the state. One bite is all you need and you will soon discover this is the best cookie in all of Tennessee.