The Jamestown - Allardt area is the place to retreat if you love the outdoors. Jamestown is located in
eastern middle Tennessee, up on the Cumberland Plateau. Covering this area are numerous state and
national parks with some of the biggest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. Big South Fork,
Colditz Cove, and Picket State Park are all within short driving distance. Hiking, biking, fishing,
hunting, ATV riding, camping, rafting, and canoeing are just some of the outdoor activities you can find
here in Jamestown.
Of course if you're looking to kick back, relax, and enjoy some iced tea, we have a couple places to do
that too. The Turner House and Old Allardt Schoolhouse Lodge are perfect places to stay with your family
or friends while you are enjoying Jamestown and all it has to offer.
Big South Fork National River & Recreation area is one of the largest national parks east of the Mississippi River.
Covering 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, it protects the Big South Fork area of the Cumberland river and
surrounding tributaries.
Nearby lies the Blue Heron, an old mining community that operated from 1937 to 1962, when it was abandoned and left to
decay. In the 1980's it was "re-created" into an outdoor museum with exhibits and audio programs that let visitors
understand what it was like to live and work in Blue Heron.
With over 230 miles of hiking, horseback, and mountain bike trails, you are sure to find something to suit your skill
level and desire. For the star gazers, on a clear night you can view about 2,000 stars. If you're lucky you could see
all the way to the Andromeda galaxy, the closest galaxy to our Milky Way.
Also two festivals to take know of, are the Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival, and the Spring Planting
Festival. The Haunting in the Hills Storytelling festival includes school presentations, storytelling and craft
workshops, storytelling presentations and music. The Spring Planting Festival showcases skills and traditions of
mountain families at the turn of the 20th century, such as blacksmithing, basket making, weaving, woodcarving, and even
plowing and planting with horses and mules.
East Fork Stables is emerging as the leading trail riding facility in the premier trail riding area in the United States. With the Big South Fork National Recreation Area and Pickett State Park just 12 miles to the north, there are hundreds and hundreds of miles of trails for the horse riding enthusiast. The 12,000 acre privately owned tract of land that contains East Fork's trail system of over 100 miles is on the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau and offers a diverse selection of attractions, from waterfalls and rock formations, to fields and easy riding terrain.
Colditz Cove is a 165-acre natural area located approximately 2 miles east of Allardt, Tennessee in Fentress County. Its most impressive feature is Northrup Falls, which plunges more than 60 feet over a protruding rock ledge into a scenic, narrow, gorge along Big Branch Creek. The waterfall is named for the family who settled here and operated a mill above the falls in the 1800's. These high cliffs and "rock houses" (cave-like overhangs) at the falls and along the creek gorge, were once used by cliff-dwelling Woodland Indians over 3,000 years ago for shelter while hunting.
Time stands still at Rugby, Tennessee - the restored Victorian village founded in 1880 by British author and social
reformer, Thomas Hughes. It was to be a cooperative, class-free, agricultural community for younger sons of English
gentry and others wishing to start life anew in America. At its peak, some 350 people lived in the colony. More than 70
buildings of Victorian design graced the townscape on East Tennessee's beautiful Cumberland Plateau.
This would-be Utopia survives today as both a living community and a fascinating historic site, unspoiled by modern
development. Twenty original buildings still stand at the southern edge of the Big South Fork National Park, surrounded
by rugged river gorges.
Cordell Hull was appointed Secretary of State by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 and served until 1944, longer
than any other secretary. He was given the sobriquet "Father of the United Nations" by Roosevelt. In 1945 he was awarded
the Nobel Prize for Peace for his role in establishing the United Nations.
The site consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace, an activities center and a museum housing
documents and artifacts. Also on the park is beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail leading to an overlook and the actual entrance
of historic Bunkum Cave where Cordell Hull's father made moonshine years ago. The collection includes his Nobel Peace
Prize that is on display.
Dale Hollow is a deep cold water lake that offers the angler plenty of challenges. It contains several species of sport fish and is known for some record catches. The world record small mouth Bass came out of Dale Hollow. The lake also boasts of lake trout in excess of 15 pounds. Dale Hollow Lake also provides the opportunity to get out and enjoy some water sports to including swimming, water skiing, boating, and deep water skin diving just to mention a few.
Visit the historic homeplace of Sgt. Alvin C. York, nestled in Pall Mall, Tennessee. Once the humble farmhouse of one of America’s most decorated war heroes, this site invites visitors to step back into early twentieth-century rural life. Explore the authentically restored home, filled with period furnishings, original artifacts, and engaging exhibits that vividly recount York’s inspiring journey from humble beginnings to heroic military valor. Wander the charming grounds, enjoy guided tours, and immerse yourself in interactive displays and local traditions. Experience history, honor, and the enduring spirit of a true American patriot in this unforgettable destination. A must-visit gem.