Obed Wild & Scenic River
The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s.
Photo: NPS Photo / NPS
About Obed Wild & Scenic River
The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s. While meagerly populated due to poor farming soil, the river was a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers. Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Pair it with another park
KYdrive time
KYdrive time
KYdrive time
GAdrive time
TNdrive time
NCdrive time
Driving times from Obed Wild & Scenic River, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
The park is open every day.
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
The weather along the Cumberland Plateau can be best described as unpredictable. Each season brings its own weather patterns. Summers are generally hot and humid, with high temperatures sometimes eclipsing 90 degrees. The low temperatures in winter often dip below freezing. Spring sees the most amount of precipitation, but rainfall can occur in various amounts throughout the year.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Obed Wild & Scenic River?
- Popular activities include Astronomy, Birdwatching, Camping, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Climbing, Fishing.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Obed Wild & Scenic River?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (1 h 14 min), Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument (1 h 39 min), Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (1 h 53 min), Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park (1 h 56 min), Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (2 h 3 min), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (2 h 21 min).