The independent guide to Tennessee

Three Grand Divisions,one long, winding drive.

Small towns, state parks, waterfalls and named drives, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River.

Every fact checked at the sourceTowns · Parks · Road trips
7,315,076
Tennesseans
256ft
Tennessee's highest waterfall
318
curves in 11 miles of US 129

Go deeper: our city guides

These Tennessee cities have a guide of their own, part of the same Dot Life Network.

  • Chattanooga: The Tennessee Aquarium, the Riverwalk and the Passage, first stops on the Tanasi Trail.
  • Nashville: Music City, with family-friendly attractions and a booming food scene behind the songs.

New and updated guides

By the numbers

Things you wouldn'tguess aboutTennessee.

7,315,076

Tennesseans The US Census Bureau estimated Tennessee's population at 7,315,076 on July 1, 2025.

256ft

Tennessee's highest waterfall Tennessee State Parks says Fall Creek Falls drops 256 feet, the highest waterfall in the state.

318

curves in 11 miles of US 129 Tail of the Dragon packs 318 curves into an 11-mile stretch of US 129 starting at Deals Gap on the Tennessee-North Carolina line.

3,800mi

of official scenic road trips The state's Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program links 16 official trails across 3,800 miles of scenic roadway.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee?

The three Grand Divisions of Tennessee are East, Middle and West. They are the three stars on the Tennessee state flag, adopted in 1905, bound together by an unending white band.

What is the tallest waterfall in Tennessee?

The tallest waterfall in Tennessee is the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls in Fall Creek Falls State Park on the Cumberland Plateau. Tennessee State Parks calls it the state's highest waterfall, and the park has five other falls as well.

Do Tennessee State Parks charge an entrance fee?

No, Tennessee State Parks says its parks are free for everyone to visit and enjoy. The system asks visitors who want to support the parks to donate.

Does Great Smoky Mountains National Park charge an entrance fee?

No, Great Smoky Mountains National Park uses a parking tag rather than an entrance fee. The National Park Service requires a tag for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes anywhere in the park, and sells daily, weekly and annual tags.

How long does it take to drive the Natchez Trace Parkway?

Driving the full Natchez Trace Parkway takes at least 10 hours, according to the National Park Service. The 444-mile parkway runs from near Natchez, Mississippi, to near Nashville, Tennessee, with a 50 mph speed limit unless otherwise posted.

Does Tennessee have a state income tax?

No, Tennessee has no personal income tax, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

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