Look, I get it. We’re all over it and ready to be out of our houses. Us, too! But we’re so close to the finish line, don’t spoil it now. If you don’t have Spring Break plans and are dead-set on traveling, consider staying distanced and getting outdoors in a less populated area. And if you’re in the South and looking for remote getaways in Tennessee, I’ve got you covered.
As a native of this beautiful state and a Tennessee travel writer, I have spent years canvassing the 42,000+ square miles that populate the Volunteer State looking for places to escape and, in this case, the best remote getaways in Tennessee. Here are a few I’ve come up with.
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions and dollars spent on rentals are, however, my own.
Stantonville, Tennessee
Stantonville is right near the Tennessee River and Pickwick State Park, but it’s also a great jumping off point for a Civil War history tour of Tennessee with its proximity to Shiloh National Military Park (four miles away), the Pinson Mounds and Chickasaw State Park, both of which we visited last month.
property shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: this restored three-bedroom 1900 cottage that sleeps five
Price: starting at $150 a night
Unionville, Tennessee
Right smack in the middle of horse country, Unionville is just north of Shelbyville and due south of Arrington—home to the winery of the same name—and boasts hiking, biking, kayaking and horseback riding opportunities galore.
property shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: the two-bedroom Barn at Whiskey River that accommodates four people
Price: starting at $161 a night
Christiana, Tennessee
The area south of Murfreesboro is one close to my heart, as it’s where I grew up and later returned to. There are so many water features—rivers, lakes, ponds—for exploring and staying distanced, as well as Stones River National Battlefield right nearby.
Where you’re staying: this darling one-bedroom Hobbit House on a 50-acre farm that’s prime real estate for Lord of the Rings fans; there’s another Hobbit house in McEwen called Wee Nook, but it’s pretty booked through early summer
Price: starting at $87 a night
Franklin, Tennessee
You know how much I love bopping around downtown Franklin, but I also adore the surrounding Williamson County countryside every bit as much. Heading out toward Leiper’s Fork, the pastoral surrounds are some of the greenest, lushest lands in all of Tennessee.
property shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: a suite in the expansive Dark Horse Estate, where such greats as Taylor Swift and Neil Diamond have recorded
Price: starting at $245 a night
For more information about Williamson County, browse my archives of Franklin travel tips
Santa Fe, Tennessee
Yes, Tennessee also has a Santa Fe (though pronounced f-EE), and it happens to be near Centerville, Jackson Falls and the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s also close to the Duck River if paddling or kayaking is your thing.
property photo courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: this trio of cedar huts built into the earth that accommodate eight guests (your booking grants you all three of the Forest Gully Farms properties); since they’re often booked far in advance, this storybook cottage on eight acres or this massive barn that sleeps 16 are two other options nearby
Price: starting at $325 a night to rent the whole property
Altamont, Tennessee
Altamont is just down the mountain from where I went to school in Sewanee, and I rented many a cabin in this area with my friends during my college days. Halfway between Nashville and Chattanooga, it’s near the Swiss community of Gruetli-Laager, as well as Beersheba Springs, and is a great kick-off point for hiking and exploring Greeter Falls and the entire Savage Gulf Area. It’s also just down the street from the Caverns that host Bluegrass Underground and other concerts from Brandi Carlile to Moon Taxi throughout the year.
photos courtesy of property owner
Where you’re staying: this little mountain cabin that sleeps two and has a fire pit and views for miles, or this pricy but awesome geodesic dome
Price: starting at $95 a night
For more ideas for the mountaintop, check out my Sewanee travel posts
Viola, Tennessee
Viola is a sweet township with just 132 residents, the smallest incorporated community in Tennessee. The owners of the pizza place in town also unveiled a gorgeous new Airbnb on the square. If you want a small town getaway with charm and ample outdoor opportunities—it’s also near both Beersheba and Greeter Falls, Stone Door, the Blue Hole and many others—this is the place for you.
Where you’re staying: this one-bedroom beauty right on the town square; a two-room rental in the same restored building is hitting the market soon
Price: starting at $85 a night
Monteagle, Tennessee
Just 15 minutes from the Sewanee: University of the South campus, Monteagle is a central spot for visiting Foster Falls and Fiery Gizzard and, of course, hiking the Perimeter Trail.
property shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: this one-bedroom home at Deer Lick Falls that’s in the middle of the woods and has a wraparound deck or this glorious two-bedroom home in Tracy City
Price: starting at $106 a night
Read more about outdoor opportunities in Middle Tennessee here
Baxter, Tennessee
Center Hill Lake in Edgar Evins State Park—one of Ella’s favorite places to paddleboard—is one of the biggest recreational areas in Tennessee. Baxter is also conveniently located just 15 minutes away from both Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls, two of Tennessee’s biggest waterfalls. Are you an outdoors lover? This is the perfect spot for you to make your base then.
property shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: this two-bedroom, pet-friendly chalet that sleeps eight (and your pup!)
Price: starting at $200 a night
For more information about the area, check out my post on Edgar Evins State Park
Whitwell, Tennessee
We had a weekend with my cousins at this beautiful vacation rental right outside of Chattanooga in the fall. We spent an afternoon hanging out at a brewery patio in Chattanooga, then the rest of the weekend enjoying the outdoors near our cabin. The Prentice Cooper State Forest and Fiery Gizzard Recreational Area are easily accessible from this riverfront cabin.
house shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: this four-bedroom A-frame house that sleeps 10, has a hot tub and includes a separate garage apartment
Price: starting at $339 a night
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The area surrounding Chattanooga is some of the most mountainous terrain in Tennessee outside of the Smokies, and with Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain and plenty of other state parks on the fringe, it’s a great place to consider for an outdoor getaway.
property shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: this massive six-bedroom house in the middle of the woods with a pool, hot tub and game room, perfect for large families
Price: starting at $391 a night
Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
Just outside of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain straddles the Tennessee-Georgia border with panoramic views in every direction. It’s been my dream to sleep in a yurt—still never have!—so staying at this particular property is at the top of my to-do list.
property shots courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: this one-bedroom yurt on the Georgia side of Lookout Mountain that is total design goals
Price: starting at $122 a night
Jamestown, Tennessee
Pickett State Park is one of Tennessee’s most underrated state parks—I was lucky enough to shoot a wedding in Pogue Creek Canyon a few years back—not to mention the first Dark Sky-certified park in the Southeast. If you have yet to visit Pickett, it should skyrocket to the top of your list.
property shot courtesy of owner
Where you’re staying: I’m a big fan of kitsch, so this Unicoi covered wagon calls to me
Price: starting at $145 a night
Maryville, Tennessee
I love me some Maryville; not just because the town itself is charming (and we have a mural there!), but it’s a great jumping off point for the Smoky Mountains. We recently stayed on a six-acre farm on the outskirts and couldn’t get enough of this quirky, beautiful property.
Where you’re staying: in an aircraft hangar, a World War II train car or a Dolly Parton camper van (they’re all on the same property)
Price: starting at $77 a night
For more travel tips to Maryville, check out my Smoky Mountain posts here
Oldham, Tennessee
I love the Smoky Mountains region, but there are two sides to it: the quieter side near Townsend and Maryville referred to as the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, then the side over in Sevier County where you’ll find more of the hiking areas, as well as Dollywood and the bright lights of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg (which are hardly distanced, so bear that in mind). But you still can stay in a cabin on the fringe of Sevier County and still feel like you’re worlds away from others.
photos courtesy of property owner
Where you’re staying: the TreScape, a one-bedroom tree house that will make you feel like a kid again
Price: starting at $204 a night
Copperhill, Tennessee
Right smack in the corner of the state where Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia converge, Copperhill is right off the Ocoee River—Tennessee’s premiere spot for whitewater rafting.
photo courtesy of property owner
Where you’re staying: this dreamy, dog-friendly treehouse that sleeps four
Price: starting at $222 a night
There are hundreds of remote getaways in Tennessee I could recommend; one of the reasons SVV and I opted to move back here a decade was because of all the space. With sparsely populated areas galore, you can easily have the run of the place—you just have to find them.
Are you heading anywhere for Spring Break this year? Do you have any ideas for remote getaways in Tennessee that I should have on my radar?
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Thank you so much for this. We are in Murfreesboro and are always looking for short getaways. Especially appreciate the recommendations on where to stay.
Thanks for sharing this post! Tennessee is indeed a paradise. The view is so perfect and the place looks really really gorgeous! I should add this to my list and relax here someday. I really love all of your photos!