While meagerly populated due to poor farming soil, the river was a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers. Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Photo: NPS Photo
Obed Wild & Scenic River
The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s.
- LocationWartburg, TN
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
-
Weather now56°F Fog
- Alerts 1 active alert
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Birds
- Deciduous Forests
- Forests and Woodlands
- Geology
- Night Sky
- Scenic Views
- Trails
1 more topics
- Watersheds
Alerts (1)
InformationLilly Bluff Overlook Decking Replacement Decking replacement is underway at Lilly Bluff Overlook and is expected to take about six weeks. The overlook will remai… Read more
Decking replacement is underway at Lilly Bluff Overlook and is expected to take about six weeks. The overlook will remain open, but some sections will be temporarily closed as repairs are completed.
Things to Do
15 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Wildlife Watching
- Stargazing
- Astronomy
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Birdwatching
- Climbing
- Junior Ranger Program
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Freshwater Fishing
Show 3 more activities
Camping
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
-
Rock Creek Campground (TN)
Reservable Campground
Rock Creek Campground is located near the Emory River in the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Whitewater paddling is available seasonally in the Obed WSR. Rock climbing is…
Reserve on Recreation.gov- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Climbing
Details
Overview
Rock Creek Campground is located near the Emory River in the Obed Wild and Scenic River.Recreation
Whitewater paddling is available seasonally in the Obed WSR. Rock climbing is another challenging activity, as is boulder climbing. The Obed WSR sports several unique trails for hikers, most notably the Point Trail and a portion of the Cumberland Trail. Those who like to fish will enjoy the Obed WSR, as a variety of bass, bluegill, catfish and other fish populate the river. Birdwatching is also a fun activity, particularly during the migratory seasons.Facilities
Rock Creek Campground has 11 campsites. Each site has a picnic table, food storage locker, fire ring with grill, lantern hook and paved parking. A vault toilet is also centrally located in the campground.Natural Features
The Obed River winds through the Cumberland Plateau offering a variety of recreational activities for everyone.Nearby Attractions
Just a few miles from the park is Frozen Head State Park which encompasses more than 24,000 acres of forest with mountainous terrain at an elevation from 1,340 feet to over 3,000 feet.
Catoosa Wildlife Management Area is an 82,000 acre preserve with a focus on hunting and fishing but offering a wealth of other recreational activities as well.
Lone Mountain State Forest is 3,600 acres and has 15 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
-
Obed Visitor Center
Facility
The visitor center has free WiFi, and offers exhibits on the river, its inhabitants, the cultural history of the area, and the recreational opportunities that the park…
208 North Maiden Street, Wartburg, TN (423) 346-6294 Directions
Details
The visitor center has free WiFi, and offers exhibits on the river, its inhabitants, the cultural history of the area, and the recreational opportunities that the park provides. A small bookstore is also included in the visitor center, which is open daily from 9:00-5:00 pm (ET), daily.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · The park is open every day.
Hours details
-
The park is open every day.Open 24 hours, daily
The park is open every day.
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
208 N. Maiden StreetWartburg, TN 37887
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
56°F
Fog · feels like 56°
-
Today
82° 56°
Sunny15% rain -
Tomorrow
86° 57°
Sunny7% rain
-
Wednesday
86° 58°
Sunny4% rain
Updated 5 hr ago
What to expect by season
The weather along the Cumberland Plateau can be best described as unpredictable. Each season brings its own weather patterns. Summers are generally hot and humid, with high temperatures sometimes eclipsing 90 degrees. The low temperatures in winter often dip below freezing. Spring sees the most amount of precipitation, but rainfall can occur in various amounts throughout the year.
Upcoming Events
5 coming up-
Jr. Ranger Scavenger Hunt
About
Come by our Visitor Center and complete a special scavenger hunt and earn a copy of
the book “Free Flowing: the Spirit of Obed Wild & Scenic River.” -
Solar Spotters
About
Meet a ranger at Lilly Bluff Overlook to get an up-close look at our solar system's sun! Using a heavily filtered solar telescope, visitors can safely experience the sun during the middle of the day. We’ll point out sunspots, flame-like prominences, and other solar features.
-
Junior Ranger Let's Go Fishing
About
Obed Wild & Scenic River is encouraging school-aged children (age 12 and under) to learn to fish with a park ranger!
Park rangers will introduce participants to fishing fundamentals and conservation principles, and each child will get to take home their own fishing pole. Participants will also earn a Junior Ranger Angler badge. Take-home items are limited to first-time participants only. -
Climb with a Ranger
About
Climb with a Ranger occurs on the first Saturday of each month.
11:00 am-12:00 pm (ET): There will be a dedicated children-only climb for children ages 12 and under.12:00 pm-2:00 pm (ET): Visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend at any time during this timeframe.
Show 1 more events
-
Climb with a Ranger
About
Climb with a Ranger occurs on the first Saturday of each month.
11:00 am-12:00 pm (ET): There will be a dedicated children-only climb for children ages 12 and under.12:00 pm-2:00 pm (ET): Visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend at any time during this timeframe.
Photos
-
Rock climbing is a popular sport at Obed. — NPS Photo/ R.Herchenrider -
Getting There
Wartburg, TN 37887
The Obed Wild & Scenic River Visitor Center is located at 208 North Maiden Street in downtown Wartburg, Tennessee. Please use the link for more information.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 429, Wartburg, TN 37887
Map loads when you scroll here