Explore Cookeville, Tennessee

Cookeville is located in north-central Tennessee between Nashville and Knoxville. Before people settled in the area, the Cherokee Native American tribe ruled the region during the Paleo-Indian and early European colonial eras of history. The Cherokee tribe would use the area for collective hunting. Around the end of the 1700s to the beginning of the 1800s, long hunters from Virginia and North Carolina, most of whom were of English and Scotch-Irish ancestry, settled in the area surrounding Cookeville and Putnam County. The area became economically dominant with the expansion of agriculture, logging, and lumber industries in the early 19th century.

Putnam County was re-established in 1854 when new Tennessee state legislation mandated the formation of a county seat. In the same year, Charles Crook acquired land that would become the new county seat because it had access to natural springs capable of supporting a community. Later, the land was named Cookeville after Richard Fielding Cooke, an early pioneer who arrived in Tennessee in 1810 and resided in the region. 

Today, Cookeville offers a wide range of recreational and cultural options. If you are a golfing fan, you can head to one of the city's local golf courses, including Cookeville Golf, Country Club, and Belle Acres Golf Club. If you need to shop, the Cookeville Mall Shopping Center and the Willow Tree Shopping Center are nearby. Cookeville is also primarily a college town, having been home to Tennessee Tech since 1915. The university focuses on STEM programs and is placed 35th on the list of top regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. According to the 2020 census, the city had 34,842 residents. 

Campgrounds Near Cookeville, Tennessee

One of the best campgrounds in Cookeville is the Davy Crockett Campground. After hiking and fishing, you can unwind in the saltwater pool or bathe in the interior hot tub. It also has multiple streams and a three-acre spring-fed lake where you can swim. Weekly and monthly rates are available, along with a military discount. 

Another great campground is the Crossville KOA. This park is conveniently positioned near major interstates, making it accessible for any vacation. If you enjoy golf, there are several competitive courses nearby. You can also go on a day trek to the Cumberland Plateau or hike on the trails behind the campsite.

The Indian Creek Campground is yet another great campground. Its located about 35 minutes west of Cookeville near the town of Buffalo Valley. This RV campground offers 74 RV sites and offers full hookups.

National Parks Near Cookeville, Tennessee

Mammoth Cave National Park is a natural wonder you should visit. Located 98 miles from Cookeville, the park is home to the world's longest-known cave system with over 400 miles of studied caverns and much more still to be discovered. Although visitors cannot explore the cave independently, the park provides a broad range of cave tours to suit every interest and physical ability, including a wheelchair-accessible tour. 

Located 148 miles from Cookeville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place to visit. The park sits on about 500,000 acres of land with altitudes ranging from 876 feet to 6,643 feet. It has diverse plant and animal life, unending forest slopes, panoramic views, and rushing mountain streams. Whether you want to go on a magnificent trek, ride around the park, enjoy nature through the windows of your RV, or sit and relax at the campground and watch the sunset, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers it all. 

Congaree National Park is situated 189 miles from Cookeville. Unlike many other hardwood forests, Congaree was largely spared by the timber industry in the late 1800s. It was finally declared a national monument and subsequently a national park owing to the efforts of preservationists. The national park's landscape has a forest, the Congaree River, and a marshy floodplain. Its hiking routes are primarily flat, making it ideal for tourists of all experience levels. The major city nearest to the park is Columbia, which has many dining options, museums, and other places of interest.

State Parks Near Cookeville, Tennessee

Edgar Evins State Park is a 6,000-acre woodland area that borders Center Hill lake. During the summer, it enjoys a warm, humid environment with temperatures ranging from 65 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are pleasant, with temperatures ranging between 30 and 50 degrees. The park is well-known for its bird-watching possibilities and Center Hill Lake's great fishing. The park's campground has 60 RV spots. Each spot has a picnic table, fire ring, and grate.

Another great place to visit near Cookeville is Rock Island State Park. This more than 800-acre Tennessee State Park is ideal for watersports of all kinds, whether it's a peaceful paddling excursion, a fun day of fishing, or simply taking a step back to admire the raw beauty of the 30-foot horseshoe cascade, the park has it all. The state park is home to a network of enjoyable and picturesque hiking paths. The park has two on-site campsites with water and electrical hookups of up to 50 amps, as well as fire rings, charcoal grills, lantern hooks, and other amenities.

Standing Stone State Park is yet another great place to visit near Cookeville. The state park features 855 acres of property along the coast of the 69-acre Standing Stone Lake. The leisure area is bordered by the 11,000-acre Standing State Forest, which provides stunning views. If you want to go hiking, Standing Stone State Park has miles of trails maintained on the property. Other enjoyable activities available during your visit include canoeing, picnicking, swimming, mountain biking, and water skiing.

National Sites Near Cookeville, Tennessee

The Obed Wild and Scenic River flows for 43 miles and drops from a height of 1,860 feet to an elevation of 846 feet. The area through which the Obed Wild and Scenic River flows is characterized by steep gorges and high mountains, as well as woods with 35 different types of virgin deciduous trees, which provide a canopy of blooming green in the spring and spectacular hues in the fall. Overnight camping, hiking, kayaking, and fishing for native trout are popular activities amongst visitors. 

Another great national site near Cookeville is the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. The is a historic park that preserves two independent farm locations where Abraham Lincoln was born and spent his childhood. He was born at the Sinking Spring site south of Hodgenville, where the park's visitor center is located, and stayed there until he was two years old. His family then relocated to the Knob Creek Farm northeast of Hodgenville, where he stayed until he was seven years old. 

Russell Cave National Monument is a historic site that recounts the past of prehistoric people and cultures. Native Americans exploited the cave's notably large entrance to seek refuge from 10,000 B.C. to 1650 A.D., especially during the winter. Visitors may explore the mystery surrounding the prehistoric locals and learn about the cave's ecological importance at the location. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about the 115 bird species that live on Montague Mountain. 

National Forests Near Cookeville, Tennessee

Located in eastern Kentucky, Daniel Boone National Forest offers steep wooded slopes, sandstone cliffs, tight ravines, and some of the most challenging terrain west of the Appalachian Mountains. You should also anticipate viewing the forest's breathtaking splendor and richness of species. The wilderness alone has 750 varieties of blooming plants, 170 forms of moss, and unusual plant species. The forest's rolling hills, ridge-top plains, and narrow valleys make it ideal for stargazing, geocaching, birdwatching, and animal viewing. Additionally, the forest has several full-service and RV-friendly campgrounds.

Another beautiful forest you can explore near Cookeville is Nantahala National Forest, which is located near the town of Bryson City in North Carolina. This forest, established in 1920, provides tourists with options for camping, fishing, white-water rafting, and over 600 miles of hiking paths. The trails of Whiteside Mountain provide some of the most incredible possibilities for witnessing the diversity of life in the forest. Moreover, Nantahala National Forest is open all year. 

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest near Suches, Georgia is another forest worth exploring. The forest sits on about 886,468 acres of land and is ideal for camping, boating, fishing, and swimming. Free dispersed camping is permitted throughout the national forest. However, campers must ensure they leave no trash while leaving their campsites. The forest does not require any entry fee.