Tennessee's Largest Flea Market Is Found In This Hub For Lakeside Camping, Caves, And Odd Roadside Parks

Nestled in the forested foothills of the uniquely historic Appalachian mountains, travelers will find the magical little mountain town of Bluff City, located 123 miles from Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport. Enveloped in tranquil natural beauty, Bluff City blends Appalachian hospitality with recreational fun. There is plenty to explore around town, from rocky crevices to bustling marketplaces, whether you are passing through town by yourself or in a group. 

Bargain shoppers can drive to 4571 Highway 11 East to visit Tri-Cities Flea Market, the largest indoor and outdoor flea market in Tennessee. Tri-Cities is a humongous flea market where vendors from all over the area come to sell leather goods, comics, books, and other trinkets. You can find anything from animals to antiques at this flea market, even a pet pig! After you are finished digging through vintage shirts, fishing lures, and 1970s KISS memorabilia, stop by the food court for a snack. Vendors at Tri-Cities also sell delicious refreshments, including fried donuts, fresh fruit, and hibiscus tea.

Bluff City isn't just famous for its impressively massive flea market; this hidden gem sits on a breathtakingly beautiful lake surrounded by intricate caves and caverns just waiting to be explored. Travelers with recreational vehicles can stay at the Lakeview RV Resort, located at 4550 Highway 11 East, for around $80 a night. Campgrounds are situated near Boon Lake, where campers can enjoy fishing and other family-friendly activities. There is a cabin for rent on the premises for about $115 a night, but availability is limited. If you prefer tent camping, head over to All American Campgrounds, located at 251 White Top Road. Make sure to brush up on what you need for a solo camping trip so you're not left out in the cold if traveling alone.

Those visiting Tennessee for its forbidden underground caverns will be happy to know there are some tourist-friendly caves to explore in Bluff City. Worley's Cave, located at 461 Timber Ridge Road, is a cool cave in the area to explore for just $10. The cave is on private property, and you have to fill out a release form before entering the cave because of precarious conditions and tight spaces you might have to crawl through. The cave is well-maintained by the family who owns it, and there is a register visitors can sign when they visit the cave. The cave sees a plethora of visitors each year, including locals, Boy Scouts, and outdoor enthusiasts. There are no lights or amenities in the cave, so be prepared for a wild spelunking adventure. Explorers should bring comfortable clothes, water, flashlights, and batteries. Visitors can enter the cave at any time, including at night, as long as they have signed up and paid for parking.

Another cool place to explore is the Appalachian Caverns and Campground, located at 420 Cave Hill Road. Travelers can take a cavern tour and sift for their own gemstones in a gem mine just 5 miles outside of town in the neighboring city of Blountville. The caverns are open daily year-round, with shortened hours during winter months when there is less daylight. Appalachian Caverns is an excellent place to visit if you want to experience the beauty of these caves, and the gemstones you find will provide a long-lasting memory of this unforgettable excursion in the Tennessee wilderness. Dogs are not allowed in the cave, since the site is no longer pet-friendly; however, there is a lovely cave-dwelling dog waiting to greet visitors, and service animals are still allowed.

After you have explored the caverns of Tennessee, head out to the woods for a prehistoric adventure. Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park features a Jurassic Park-like experience in the middle of the Appalachian wilderness, where visitors can walk among dinosaur replicas and revisit the ancient past. The dinosaur sculptures are built by Chris Kastner, who has built 60 prehistoric animals since the park opened in 2007. Kastner always had a passion for dinosaurs and wanted to create an amazing park where families could bring their children to learn about the giant beasts that once roamed the earth. 

Dinosaur replicas are constructed with foam, vinyl, and epoxy on a wood and wire frame. Kastner researches each species before building it, making sure to get the physiology correct as well as the size. A 20-foot dinosaur takes about a month to build, from start to finish, since sculpting the head can be a meticulous process with all the detail involved. Efforts are made to create the most accurate life-size replicas of these prehistoric animals, and the results are pretty impressive. According to Dr. Adam S. Smith, a paleontologist who has visited the park, "it is wonderful to see so many well-researched, up-to-date, and accurate dinosaurs ... Kastner has created something rather special here." 

The moment guests enter Backyard Terrors, they are immediately transported to the prehistoric past when these dinosaurs ruled the land. There are over 90 separate stations where curious visitors can learn about common species like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as more unusual extinct creatures such as Oviraptor, Aquilops, and Dilophosaurus. The park is open daily from 9a.m. to dusk. Admission is free, but they accept donations to support their educational efforts and park maintenance.