As the summer unfolds in East Tennessee, both locals and visitors are making the most of their time at the OBED Wild and Scenic River, while enthusiasts are working to expand federally protected land in the area.

The OBED Wild and Scenic River, part of the U.S. National Park Service, spans across Cumberland and Morgan counties in the Cumberland Plateau. It offers a variety of outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, picnicking, kayaking, and climbing, covering about 45 miles along the Obed and Emory Rivers.

Back in 1976, residents from Oak Ridge formed Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP) to advocate for the establishment of this protected area.

A new trail loop, which will guide visitors from the forest down into the valley, leads to a small waterfall along Ramsey Creek.

Chuck Estes from TCWP mentioned that this property hasn’t been made accessible to the public yet. The organization intends to finalize the trail before handing it over to the National Park Service, and there are still some formalities that need to be completed before the transfer is official.

Estes shared that the trail offers exceptional experiences for hikers, as it winds through a small canyon, safeguarding mature forests and maintaining the water quality of Ramsey Creek. He also noted that the moisture in the canyon provides a habitat for various salamanders, including Hellbenders and other amphibians.

“Exploring the property might reveal other intriguing animal and plant species, some of which could be at risk,” he added, emphasizing the importance of protecting these areas through the acquisition of land.