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.
Alerts
- InformationLilly Bluff Overlook Decking Replacement
Decking replacement is underway at Lilly Bluff Overlook and is expected to take about six weeks. The overlook will remain open, but some sections will be temporarily closed as repairs are completed.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
This is an ENTRANCE FEE FREE park. There are other fees that apply depending on the location and/or activity. For more information, visit this page: https://www.nps.gov/obed/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Hours
| The park is open every day. | Daily · All Day |
Campgrounds
| Rock Creek Campground | 11 sites | |
| $15 a night · Campground is open year-round. · 11 reservable | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Obed Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
The visitor center has free WiFi, and offers exhibits on the river, its inhabitants, the cultural history of the area, and the recreational opportunities that the park provides. A small bookstore is also included in the visitor center, which is open daily from 9:00-5:00 pm (ET), daily.
Explore
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- Solar Spotters10/1601:00 PM · freeLilly Bluff Overlook
- Junior Ranger Let's Go Fishing10/2410:00 AM · free · registration requiredNemo Picnic Area
- Climb with a Ranger11/0711:00 AM · freeParking: Participants should park on either side of Lilly Bridge, take the path near the west end of the bridge labelled “Bridge…
News
- National Park Service and the University of Tennessee Announce New Partnership ↗2026-08-19
The National Park Service (NPS) recently announced a new partnership with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and three local NPS units to train the next generation of leaders in the fields of outdoor recreation…
- Obed Wild and Scenic River and Frozen Head State Park partner to offer “Lunch and Learn” Program Summer Series ↗2026-07-07
Wartburg, Tennessee: Obed Wild and Scenic River will be partnering with Morgan County School Food Services and Frozen Head State Park to offer a “Lunch and Learn” program series that will take place on Fridays starting…
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Guidebooks for Tennessee's national parks and the South
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Rock climbing in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
All 13 activitiesHide
Questions people ask
Does Obed charge an entrance fee?
No. Obed is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
Is Obed open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Obed?
Yes. The Park Service lists 1 campground in Obed: Rock Creek. 1 takes reservations through Recreation.gov.
Do any Obed campgrounds have hookups or showers?
No. None of the 1 listed campgrounds report showers, electric hookups, or a dump station.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Obed right now?
1 active alert as of October 14, 2026: Lilly Bluff Overlook Decking Replacement.
Source: Alerts
Is Obed good for stargazing?
Yes. Obed is a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: Dark sky parks
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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