obed wild & scenic river

A group of friends and I just spent three excellent days camping at Cumberland Mountain State Park. It made for a great basecamp for hiking and climbing at The Obed- Clear Creek. The approach hike in from Doc Howard Rd. was fairly strenuous, but well worth it. The area was well maintained with no visible trash or abuse, courteous climbers, and well behaved crag dogs. Of course, the first bolted routes were a little crowded, but there were so many to choose from as you continued past Stephen Kings Library. Most of the routes were south facing, so the sun felt great! Top out anchors were mixed between cold shut rings and quick links (some rusted).

There is always a view to see weather you are going down by the Obed River to catch just a dip or hiking to the top for the view over the River. Most of the Trails are great for the young to Old. My Kids ages 4yrs to 16 yrs love visiting in the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. In the warmer months you can catch Rock Climbers climbing the sides of the Cliffs.In the Winter months you can watch out above for some BIG huge Icicles hanging off the cliffs.Even Ride your Kayak down the River and check out the view!!What a great place for the entire family!!!

I went to this Park to hike The Point Trail Which is a 3.8 mile round trip with several great overviews of the river valley below. The hike itself is great and takes about 2.5 hours. The trailhead is about a 20 minitue drive from the park headquarters which is located in Wartburg, TN where I stoped to get a map and talk to the ranger who was very helpful. However, there was one problem - I got off the trail slightly and went about 1/4 mile in the wrong direction. If you go - pay close attention to the trail after you cross the bridge over a large creek and start up the hill you will come to the base of a rock bluff when you reach the bluff you should turn right not left like me the first time. The trail appears to go left along the bluff and it appears that many have made the same mistake. Just be sure to turn right and follow a draw up to the top of the bluff. The trail is marked with white blazes, but they are faded and sometimes hard to see. After you get to the top of the bluff the rail is much easier to follow. There are several great views toward the end of the trail. If you take children watch them closely as there are many steep drop-offs close to the trail.

I've been going to the Obed since I was a teenager, to camp, swim, hike, climb, etc. It is a lovely park with dedicated rangers and a remote feel you won't find in the nearby Smokies. If you want a quick, handicap-accessible trail (.2 miles each way) take the Lilly Bluff Overlook trail to the overlook for a fantastic view. If you want a longer hike, the Point Trail (~4 miles round trip) is nice; for the backpacker, the Obed segment of the Cumberland Trail is ~14 miles. Swimming and fishing are good at all access points - if one swimming hole is full, walk along the water a little way and you will find another. It's a beautiful, natural gem.

Great area to explore, but the Obed River wasn't so wild - the water level was low. First we stopped at the Jett Bridge rec area and walked around - just saw wildlife, copperhead snake, toad & a heron. Backed away from the copperhead, enjoyed watching the heron, took some great pictures. Lilly Bluff Overlook was awesome. Well worth the drive - park in the upper lot to take the short walk to the overlook. (yum, blackberries in season along the way) The view of the river and cliffs was great. On the way back we stopped at the Barnett Bridge area, went wading in the creek (no snakes!), took more pictures. Great way to spend an afternoon.

I have trouble bringing myself to rate a National Park property as anything less than Very Good, and I can't believe I'm the first to review Obed! Here, I tried to take into consideration that one of Obed's prime attractions - white water paddling - was not available at the time I visited in June. The river flow is subject to such fluctuations that, as they pointed out at the Visitor Center, a commercial operation wouldn't be able to stay in business. Optimunum flow for paddling is 1500-3000 cfs (Depending on the section). The day I visited it was 11 cfs - more conducive to waders than to paddlers.Sadly, I don't rock climb, so I was limited to sightseeing and a little hiking. I went to the Lilly Bluff Overlook, and found the trails easy to moderate. The scenery was very nice, and all their trails start from the same trailhead.The Overlook Trail was the easiest trail. It's wheelchair/stroller accessible, and you get a really good, panoramic view of the river gorge from the overlook platforms.The Point Trail is probably the most strenuous, and I didn't think it was too bad. It is a 3.8-mile round-trip, out and back trail, crossing Melten Creek (A trickle in June), and passing a natural arch on the way to a view of the river gorge.I'd like to go back here when the white water is up.

Belle journée passée à Obed, très beaux points de vue, certaines randonnées se font dans la journée.Séjour en hiver, nous pouvions apercevoir des stalactites contre les parois des rochers.