Tennessee · Hiking

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.

    1. Jan

      46° / 27°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 30°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 38°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 47°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 57°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 65°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 69°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 68°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 60°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 48°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 38°

      8 wet

    12. 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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