It’s a Spring Thing- Get Outdoors
As sure as wild onions and daffodils pop up during spring in the 9 Lakes Region, fun outdoor activities are also popping up. Spring is a great time to play in the 9 Lakes. Shake off the winter blues and get outdoors. Expect daylight average temperatures to be in the upper 60s and lower 70s, which are perfect temperatures for active outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, back packing, paddling or floating up the clouds. Here are five ideas to usher in spring:
Hike the Benton MacKaye Trail– Getting outside after a long winter and exploring the woods was a tradition in early Appalachia. People would forage for sassafras, dandelions, or ramps to make spring tonics which were said to cleanse the system after a long winter. Begin your adventure by picking up a trail map at the Cherohala Visitors Center in Tellico Plains. Your trek will take you deep into the Cherokee National Forest resplendent with waterfalls, carpets of wildflowers, and balds with amazing vistas- a visual tonic for the spirit and senses.
Bike for a cause on April 26 Tour the Norris area watershed with the NATS Bicycle Poker Run. Two rides are featured. Proceeds from the ride are used to support the maintenance of trails in the state park and watershed.
Roll down your windows and take a ride: If it is spring, then the “long and winding” roads of the 9 Lakes offer up some nice cruising roads. Legends of moonshining and race car driving are in the DNA of the region. Stop by one of the outdoor car shows that pop up in the spring or cruise the back roads on your own personal adventure.
Paddle a blueway: The annual Powell River Regatta is a 12 miles paddle race along the scenic Powell River.
The Vernal Equinox begins on March 20 and the outdoor beckons. Welcome Spring 2026!
