Hooks, Hollows & Heritage
Start early below South Holston Dam on the South Holston River, one of the region’s signature trout waters. TVA notes that the tailwater is home to a thriving wild brown trout fishery, and TWRA lists South Holston Dam among its tailwater trout stocking locations.
Before heading out, be sure to check TVA release schedules — water releases can change without notice.
After fishing, stay in the same area and cross the footbridge to Osceola Island for the 1.8-mile loop trail. It is a great add-on because it keeps visitors near the river while giving them a scenic walk and a chance to slow down between stops.
Looking for a more adventurous activity? Check out nearby Bristol Caverns, one of the oldest and most prominent natural attractions in Northeast Tennessee, featuring a vast underground world formed over 200 to 400 million years. Located just 5 minutes from Osceola Island, the caverns offer a year-round underground experience with a constant temperature of approximately 58°F to 60°F, perfect for those hot summer days.
For lunch, you can go one of two directions. If you want to stay close to the water, head to nearby Hickory Tree Grocery for local chat and fresh-from-the-grill burgers with daily specials. After lunch, drive beside the South Holston River with pull-off parking areas for photos. If you’d like to get a real taste of Northeast Tennessee, take a short drive on backroads to Ridgewood Barbeque, known for smoked-on-site sliced meat, sweet and savory sauce, and blue cheese that has kept this staple in business for nearly 80 years.
Make your way to Kingsport, where you can cool off with some relaxing time on the water at Warriors Path State Park. There you can rent kayaks, pedal boats or stand up paddle boards.
If time allows, head downtown and follow the Kingsport Mural Trail to take in the arts, local retail, and sites.
Reset for dinner and begin the evening with a Kingsport spirit. It can be a cocktail or mocktail at Inspire Wine Bar, a locally crafted beer at Bays Mountain Brewing, or a taste of Appalachia at King City Distillery. As you get closer to the weekend, you can hear live music in multiple locations throughout the walkable streets of downtown. Don’t forget to grab some grub. Depending on your appetite, try fried bologna bites at Ole Crow Tavern, grab an Outlaw Burger from Mid-City Grill, or soak up summer traditions at Hot Dog Hut with a specialty dog.rs and one-of-a-kind finds, alongside a variety of other downtown shops and eateries.
