Fall in love with the Appalachian Highlands

Leaves are peaking this week, so grab your camera and head to some of our most special places to witness all the beautiful foliage!The Beauty SpotScenic drivers and hikers unite! The Beauty Spot is an East Tennessean favorite, to say the least.We've been showing up here for generations of leaf-peeping, and the scenery still takes our breath away. Need to find some solace and grounding? Stop what you're doing and take a drive up to Beauty Spot. The views are truly like no other, and the colorful leaves of an Appalachian fall can really bring you back down to earth this time of year and help keep you grounded.~ Deep breath!Watauga LakeThere is something magical afloat at Watauga Lake. Whether you explore via scenic driving, paddleboarding, kayaking, or pontoon – fall is a very special time of year to take to the water. The lake is encompassed by views of the Appalachian Mountains and the Watauga Lake Dam Overlook Trail, which follows along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It's a wonderful way to get outside and explore the ambience of autumn, and dogs are welcomed on the trail.~ Let's play!Dennis CoveThe drive alone to Dennis Cove is an opportunity to see some of East Tennessee's most scenic fall colors. Follow the winding road to the top of the mountain for access to hiking along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a handful of waterfalls, and even a campground if you're feeling froggy – at Frog Level! Hiking along the Laurel Fork Creek in any direction is a treat this time of year. We recommend bringing a rain jacket and being mindful of your surroundings when hiking higher elevations in wet, sometimes unstable, terrain.~ Explorer Mode!Tipton-Haynes Historic SiteThe Tipton-Haynes Historic Site, comprising 45 acres, was an area used by the Cherokee and Woodland Indians for hunting long before its settlement by European colonists. The site itself, originally the hope of Colonel John Tipton and later owned by the Haynes family, was built upon land that was contested during the 1780s expansion into Cherokee territory. Archaeological records even show evidence of earlier prehistoric peoples in the region. The westward expansion of settlers in the 1700s created tensions with the Cherokee which led to land ownership conflicts, as documented in the history where the site is located. This site is one of Tennessee's most historic locations with a background spanning from Indigenous culture to its role throughout the Civil War. It's a beautiful place to visit during the fall with a glimpse into the past of East Tennessee.~ History Hat!Please practice Leave No Trace ethics when out adventuring on designated trails and respect the wildlife.Action Item for Our Public Lands"Tell Congress to Protect Public Lands and Waters and The People Who Care for Them." Contact your Tennessee lawmakers to keep America's public lands and waters protected, accessible, and publicly owned. Visit outdooralliance.org or appalachianoutdoors.org to learn more.East Tennessee lawmakers to contact for protecting Appalachian public lands (Keeping public lands in public hands): Diana Harshbarger, Tim Burchett, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.Take action at https://action.outdooralliance.org/a/dc-flyin?ms=linkedIn&utm_source=linkedIn.