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Obed Wild and Scenic River

Wartburg, TN U.S.A.

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208 North Maiden St.
P.O. Box 429
Wartburg, TN 37887
U.S.A.
423-346-6294
423-346-3362 Fax
Small Map of Obed Wild and Scenic River Location

Click to Zoom Map and Pictures

Open Year-Round No Entry Fee Charged
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The Obed River and its two main tributaries, Clear Creek and Daddys Creek, cut into the Cumberland Plateau of east Tennessee, creating deep gorges and some of the best whitewater in the Southeast.

Forty-five miles of streams within the park are available for fishing, white-water canoeing and kayaking. There is also rock climbing.

Access to the park is limited. The few bridges that cross the river provide access.

Anglers along the river go after bass, bluegill, catfish or muskellunge, better known as the "musky" or "jackfish."

The cold, rainy season between December and April is when the rivers are high enough for white-water trips. At that time, streams have nearly continuous rapids and dangerous currents. Paddling this kind of water requires experience, skill and careful planning.

The surrounding forest is carpeted with wildflowers in spring. The river gorge is seasonally home to more than 100 species of birds, as well as bobcats, beavers, raccoons, minks, otters and white-tailed deer.

There is one undeveloped campground in the park, a developed two-mile hiking trail and other trails in the works. Rattlesnakes and copperheads are common.

A visitor center is available in Wartburg.

Outdoor Activities

The scenic river gorge.

Enjoy Lily Arch.

Outdoor Activities
Activities Column 1 Activities Column 2 Activities Column 3
Camping available Freshwater Fishing available Visitor Center available
Hiking available Saltwater Fishing not available Children's Activities not available
Backpacking available Guided Tours not available
Rock Climbing available Scenic Drives not available
Horse Trails not available Big Game Hunting available Picnicking available
Wheelchair Trails/Ramps available Upland Hunting available Off-Road Vehicles not available
Waterfowl Hunting not available Lodging Nearby available
Restaurants Nearby available
Canoeing available
Kayaking available Cross-Country Skiing not available
Rafting not available Downhill Skiing not available Bird-Watching available
Beaches not available Snowboarding not available Nature Viewing available
Boat Launch not available Snowshoeing not available Historic Sites not available
Snowmobiling not available
Ice Skating not available
Mountain Biking not available Winter Camping available
Touring not available

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Photo credits in order: Courtesy of the National Park Service. Courtesy of Obed Wild and Scenic River.