Tennessee Scenic Rivers
The Tennessee Scenic Rivers Program is intended to preserve and protect the free flowing, unpolluted and outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, botanical, fish, wildlife, historic or cultural values of selected rivers or river segments in the state. More about National & State scenic rivers.
Nineteen rivers or segments of rivers are included in the state scenic rivers program. Program oversight is provided by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Rivers are managed cooperatively with other state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations following the standards outlined in the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Title 11; Chapter 13). Tennessee has one river included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program which is managed cooperatively with the National Park Service and follows the standards outlined in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.).
About the map: Type your river of interest on the search box below or navigate through the map. Click on the rivers to find out their name. See the tools by the search box, including a ruler to take measurements and GPS points, you can also select a different base map, and print your map.
Contact
Division of Natural Areas
Roger McCoy
(615) 804-2802
roger.mccoy@tn.gov
Blackburn Fork
Jackson County - Blackburn Fork River is located on the Highland Rim in the Upper Cumberland Plateau. It is a tributary of the Roaring River originating near Cookeville. Designated in 1968.
Duck
Maury County - The Duck River is the longest river located entirely within the state of Tennessee. It originates in the “Barrens” on the Highland Rim and flows through seven middle Tennessee counties before reaching its confluence with the Tennessee River near New Johnsonville. First designated in 2001. Additional segment designated in 2023.
Duskin Creek
Rhea County - A tributary of the Piney Scenic River, Duskin Creek Scenic River contains the segment of Duskin Creek from its confluence with Newby Branch. Designated in 2020.
French Broad
Cocke County - The French Broad River is 213 miles long. It begins just west of the Eastern Continental Divide near Rosman NC and flows into Tennessee where it is impounded behind Douglas Dam and continues to the confluence with the Holston River in Knoxville. Designated in 1968.
Hatchie
McNairy, Hardeman, Madison, Haywood, Tipton & Lauderdale Counties - The Hatchie River originates in northern Mississippi and is the longest free-flowing tributary of the lower Mississippi River totaling 238 miles. The scenic river section flows from the Mississippi State line to the confluence with the Mississippi River. Designated in 1970.
Little Piney Creek
Rhea County - A tributary of Soak Creek Scenic River, Little Piney Creek Scenic River is comprised of the continuous segment of Little Piney Creek entirely within Piney Falls State Natural Area. Designated in 2020.
Piney River
Rhea County - This is a Class I Natural Scenic River and was designated in 2020.
Roaring River
Jackson & Overton Counties - The Roaring River originates on the Highland Rim near Livingston and flows 37.7 miles to the confluence of Cordell Hull Lake. At the confluence is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Roaring River Recreation Area. Designated in 1968.
Soak Creek
Bledsoe & Rhea County- The Soak Creek originates in Cumberland County Tennessee and flows down the Cumberland Plateau into a remote cliff-lined canyon of primitive Appalachian wilderness to its confluence with The Piney River near Spring City, Tennessee. Designated 2016.
Spring Creek
Jackson & Overton Counties - Spring Creek is located along the Upper Cumberland Plateau near Cookeville. Like Blackburn Fork River, it is a tributary of the Roaring River with no public canoe/kayak access points. Designated in 1968.
Tuckahoe Creek
Knox County - The Tuckahoe Creek originates in Jefferson County with the scenic river segment meandering 16.1 miles along farmlands and rural communities in Knox County to the confluence of the French Broad River near Kodak. Designated in 1968.