Cumberland County: Nature, Theater, and History

Cumberland County offers natural attractions, theater, and several points of interest for history enthusiasts. When choosing a hotel, your trip’s focus can help guide you: landscapes around Ozone Falls and Byrd Lake, cultural offerings in Crossville, or the history of Cumberland Homesteads.

Waterfalls, a Lake, and Hiking Trails

Ozone Falls is a 43-acre natural area in Cumberland County. There, the waterfall plunges 110 feet over a sandstone cap into a deep, rock-covered basin. Ozone Falls centers on a single waterfall with a distinctive sandstone landscape.

Cumberland Mountain State Park encompasses 1,720 acres around Byrd Lake. The man-made lake was created in the 1930s when Byrd Creek was dammed. Several miles of hiking trails wind through the park and the adjacent hills; fishing and paddle boating are available on Byrd Lake. Those who prefer to explore on foot will find trails through the park and hills, while two activities on the water are available at the lake.

From Crossville, the route to Ozone Falls follows I-40 to the Crab Orchard exit and then U.S. Highway 70. The waterfall is about four miles from the interstate exit. This is an approximate distance and helps you work this nature stop into your travel plans.

Theater and Culture in Crossville

The Cumberland County Playhouse is a major nonprofit professional performing arts organization in rural Tennessee. It has two indoor stages and an outdoor venue. Its offerings include productions for young audiences, a comprehensive educational program, and a concert series. This brings different types of performances and events together in one venue.

The Historic Palace Theatre opened as a movie theater on Main Street in downtown Crossville in 1938. It was added to the National Historic Register in 1994. Today, the Palace Theatre hosts several events each week and, in addition to live entertainment, once again offers a full movie schedule. Its programming changes over time. The theater’s early role as a movie theater, its later addition to the register, and its current events program thus bring together different periods in time.

Cumberland Homesteads and Regional History

Homesteads Tower was built in 1937–1938 as an administrative building for Cumberland Homesteads, a New Deal program to establish self-sufficient households. The Homesteads Tower Museum displays photographs, documents, and artifacts from the 1930s and 1940s. Visitors can climb 97 steps to the observation deck; this climb is not available during thunderstorms. The tower’s former administrative role and the exhibits from the following years offer two historical perspectives on Cumberland Homesteads.

The Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center collects, preserves, and interprets historical artifacts, documents, photographs, and other materials. Its work encompasses different types of historical records, from written documents and images to artifacts.

Events and Other Interests

The Cumberland County Fair in Crossville includes an annual local talent and beauty pageant. The fair also features a livestock show where local farmers and aspiring young agricultural professionals can present animals. The annual event schedule may change; if you plan to attend one of these events, check the dates and current offerings before your trip.

Crossville Shooting Sports Park offers mentoring, educational courses, and hands-on training in hunter safety, archery, and obtaining permits to carry handguns. Course availability may change; for specific plans, check the current offerings.

In the regional golf context, Cumberland County and Crossville are associated with nine championship golf courses on Tennessee’s scenic Cumberland Plateau. Together, they offer a range of travel interests: nature and outdoor activities, theater and movies, regional history, events, and golf.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Crossville, Johnson County, Williamson, Carter, Grainger County, Cocke, Morgan County, Shelby.

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