Tennessee Ridge
- 1.8 mi
- round trip
- 418 ft
- climb
- 682 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Tennessee Ridge is an easy out-and-back hike in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Tennessee, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 3.5 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 418 feet, and it reaches a high point of 682 feet. The climb is steady, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.2 miles in, with an 8% grade. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dover show October highs around 71°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 70°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the ridge, so temperatures on the high ground run a little cooler. The hike takes about 1.5 hours. Peytona Trail is about 0.6 miles away, and Devil's Backbone and Artillery Trail are both within about 2 miles. For an overnight stay, Boswell Landing Campground is about 4.6 miles off.
Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Tennessee Ridge
Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
46° / 27°
9 wet · 1 snow
Feb
51° / 30°
8 wet · 1 snow
Mar
60° / 38°
9 wet
Apr
70° / 47°
10 wet
May
77° / 57°
10 wet
Jun
84° / 65°
8 wet
Jul
88° / 69°
7 wet
Aug
88° / 68°
7 wet
Sep
82° / 60°
7 wet
Oct
71° / 48°
7 wet
Nov
60° / 38°
8 wet
Dec
50° / 31°
9 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dover 1 W, TN, 5.3 mi away at 475 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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