That Time I Almost Went to the Highest Point in Tennessee

Last updated: December 9, 2023

Given I’ve recently gone to the highest point in Mississippi, North Carolina and the U.S. Virgin Islands, I thought I’d tell you about the time I almost went to the highest point in Tennessee.

Can you believe I was there and didn’t check Tennessee’s highest point off the list? Let me explain… back on September 14, 2019 when I visited Clingmans Dome, I had no idea that high-pointing was even a thing, nor that it was Tennessee’s highest point, so I didn’t even have my checklist started! I’m such a different person now who researches and plans everything before going on any adventure, but back then, I had just quit my job two days earlier. That job took up all my time and energy and I hadn’t developed the travel part of my brain yet. I went on this adventure blind and had no idea it’s significance. .. I was just ready to not be stressed behind a corporate desk.

It wasn’t until 2022 that I discovered high-pointing, so imagine my surprise when I recently went to plan my Tennessee high-pointing adventure only to discover I’d already been there! BUT… high-pointing is all about going to the natural highpoint in each state. There’s also a geological marker either marking the highpoint or somewhere near the highpoint that proves it is in fact the highest point of the state. Yes, Clingmans Dome is built on the highest point, but in order to mark it off the list, I gotta either stand on the natural highest point, or, if it’s not accessible (restricted or would be considered trespassing to get to it; I’m looking at you USVI!), standing as close as legally possible. So yes, I went to the top of a Clingmans Dome, but that’s the highest man made structure. I didn’t know about the geological marker or the natural highest point at the time but probably passed right by it! So now, I have to go back to stand on the actual natural highest point in Tennessee. I’m actually not mad about this because I want to hike to it from the bottom up… 💪🏼🥾

Regardless, I’m still going to tell you about Tennessee’s highest man made structure, the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower.

Kris and I visited with my mother-in-law (it was actually her idea to go). We parked and walked over to a paved trail that showed only a half a mile to the top. I was in pretty darn good shape at the time and the walk to the top didn’t bother me but I recall it is quite steep. Along the way, there are some pretty flowers and signs that point to the Appalachian Trail which I got my photo with as I’d recently decided I was going to hike it one day… quitting my job really gave me inspiration to LIVE life!

Because you know I love some good facts, here they are:

• The observation tower is built on Clingman’s Dome Mountain.
• The observation tower was built on October 23, 1959 and cost $57,000 (equivalent to $580,000 in 2022).
• The tower is 45 feet tall.
• The spiral ramp is 375 feet long and rises 12%
• You can see up to 100 miles out from the top of the tower on a clear day.
• Clingmans Dome is the most accessible mountain top in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

One you get to the top of the trail, it will convert to the man made structure that you’ll continue to climb so you can see some gorgeous Tennessee views!

Once you finish taking in all the views, you’ll head back down.

So… I’m thinking I will knock Tennessee’s highpoint off during Thanksgiving weekend given I’ll already be off work and will be in Tennessee for the holidays. I’ll be back soon with a blog dedicated to actually going to the highest point in Tennessee so I can officially check this one off the list! You will see a photo of my foot on that darn geological marker. 😂

In closing, I have to give a huge shout out to my wonderful husband who introduced me to high-pointing because he knew I’d love it and works hard to make all my high-pointing adventures come true!

Have you gone to Clingmans Dome? Did you actually stand on the highest natural point? I’d love to know about your experience in the comments found at the very bottom of this page! 👇🏼