Cumberland County offers a range of reasons to stay: Ozone Falls and Byrd Lake represent the natural side, while theaters and a museum offer insights into culture and history. If you’re looking for accommodation, you can base your choice on the experiences that will be the focus of your trip.
Nature Among Waterfalls, Lakes, and Trails
Ozone Falls is located in a 43-acre natural area in Cumberland County. There, the waterfall drops 110 feet over a sandstone ledge into a deep, rock-covered pool. From Crossville, take I-40 to the Crab Orchard exit, then continue on U.S. Highway 70. The waterfall is about four miles from the interstate exit.
Cumberland Mountain State Park covers 1,720 acres around Byrd Lake. The man-made lake was created in the 1930s by damming Byrd Creek. Several miles of trails run through the park and the surrounding hills. Fishing and paddle boating are available on Byrd Lake.
These natural experiences offer different highlights: Ozone Falls centers on the waterfall and rock pool, while Cumberland Mountain State Park adds hiking trails and activities on the lake. For planning, consider whether you’re mainly interested in seeing a striking waterfall or spending time among trails and water. Directions via Crossville refer to Ozone Falls.
Theater and Culture in Crossville
The Cumberland County Playhouse is a major nonprofit professional performing arts venue in rural Tennessee. It has two indoor stages and an outdoor venue. Offerings also include productions for young audiences, a comprehensive education program, and a concert series. The variety of stages and programs gives the venue a broad cultural profile, without requiring you to focus on just one type of event.
The Historic Palace Theatre opened in 1938 as a movie theater on Main Street in downtown Crossville. It was added to the National Historic Register in 1994. Today, the Palace Theatre hosts several events each week, live entertainment, and a full movie schedule once again. The program changes over time, so if a particular show is important to your visit, check the current event dates.
History of Cumberland Homesteads
The Homesteads Tower was built in 1937–1938 as an administrative building for Cumberland Homesteads. The initiative was a New Deal program to establish self-sufficient households. At the Homesteads Tower Museum, photographs, documents, and artifacts from the 1930s and 1940s offer insights into this period. The architecture, administrative history, and exhibits can all be explored together.
Visitors can climb 97 steps to the observation deck; the climb is not possible during thunderstorms. Keep this restriction in mind if the tower is part of your plans. The Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center adds to the historical perspective: it collects, preserves, and interprets historical artifacts, documents, photographs, and other materials.
More Regional Experiences
The Cumberland County Fair in Crossville includes an annual local contest showcasing talent and beauty. At the livestock show, local farmers and aspiring young agricultural professionals can present animals. Since the fair program may change, it’s worth checking the dates for the relevant year if you’re planning a visit.
The Crossville Shooting Sports Park offers mentoring, educational courses, and hands-on training in hunting safety, archery, and permits to carry handguns. Individual courses may not always be available, so check what’s on offer before making plans.
Golf is also part of the area’s appeal: Cumberland County and Crossville are associated with nine championship golf courses on Tennessee’s scenic Cumberland Plateau. Along with the waterfall, park, theater, and museum, this offers a range of themes for trip planning. Choose your focus based on which of these experiences interests you most during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Crossville, Mcminn County, Campbell County, Crockett County, Roane County, Montgomery, Union County, Unicoi County.
For the main travel overview: Tennessee.
