Piney River (Watts Bar Watershed)

Piney Scenic River is the segment of Piney River in Rhea County from its confluence with Moccasin Creek downstream to its confluence with Rockhouse Branch. It is in the Watts Bar watershed with Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC8) of 06010201.

Quick Facts

• Located in Rhea County
• Approximately 5.7 miles designated
• Designated a Class I Natural River Area on June 22, 2020 as "That continuous segment of Piney River, in Rhea County from its confluence with Moccasin Creek downstream to its confluence with RockHouse Branch."

Points of Interest

Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area

Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park 
From Spring City, take State Route 68 north toward Crossville, or from Crossville travel south on S.R. 68. Look for a convenience store near the bridge over the Piney River. On the same side of S.R. 68 as the convenience store, the first cross street is Shut-In-Gap Road. Turn on there and travel about 1 mile to a parking area on the right by a picnic area at the Piney River. Park here for access to Soak Creek, which is a short walk continuing up Shut-In-Gap Road, across the bridge over the Piney River, to a gated jeep trail going up Soak Creek.

Piney Falls State Natural Area
From Spring City take State Route 68 north toward Crossville, or from Crossville travel south on S.R. 68. As you get to the crest of the Cumberland escarpment, you enter the unincorporated town of Grandview. Look for a sign for Piney Falls State Natural Area and turn onto the Fire Tower Road (a.k.a., Hillary Road). The trailhead is on the right approximately one mile from Highway 68 or one-fourth mile before you get to the fire tower, which is located at the end of the road.