The Gateway to the Plateau: Why the Upper Cumberland is Middle Tennessee’s Newest Destination
For a long time, the stretch of I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville was seen by many as just “the drive.” You’d pass through the rolling hills, maybe stop for gas in Cookeville, and keep going. But lately, the narrative has shifted.
The Upper Cumberland isn’t just a pass-through anymore. It has become a destination in its own right—a region that balances a rugged, outdoor-centric lifestyle with a rapidly modernizing urban core. As locals, we’ve always known how special this corner of the state is, but seeing it through fresh eyes has reminded us why there’s no place quite like it.
Cookeville, the Center of the Upper Cumberland
If the Upper Cumberland is a wheel, Cookeville is undoubtedly the hub. In the last five years, the growth here has been nothing short of transformative. What used to be a quiet college town has evolved into a legitimate micropolitan powerhouse.
We’ve seen a surge in major retail and corporate investment—the expansion and the arrival of brands that used to require a day trip to Nashville or Murfreesboro. But it’s not just about big-box convenience. The growth has breathed new life into the downtown.
For those of us living here, this growth means more than just a shorter drive to shop. It’s about accessibility and connectivity. The interest and growth in Cookeville has created a ripple effect, bringing better infrastructure and diverse job opportunities to the surrounding rural communities.
Upper Cumberland Outdoors: Hiking and Waterfalls
You can’t talk about the Upper Cumberland without talking about the water. While Nashville has the neon and the nightlife, we have the great rural outdoors.
Center Hill Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, the rivers and the waterfalls remain the crown jewels of our region. There is a sense of wild and wonder you can’t find anywhere else.
We are home to some of the most iconic cascades in the Southeast:
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Burgess Falls: A powerhouse of a waterfall that never fails to impress.
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Cummins Falls: The quintessential Tennessee swimming hole (though we locals know to check the weather and the permits first!).
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Rock Island: Just a short drive away, offering some of the most unique limestone riverbed views in the state.
