A Day on the Tennessee River

• There are numerous places to visit along the Tennessee River in western Tennessee:
  • Muscle Shoals
  • Land Between the Lakes
  • Fort Donelson River Battery

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From Savannah to Chattanooga, there are several cities that call the Tennessee River home. From hit recording studios to nature preserves and the Civil War, the river shapes the state that we know today. So hop in the boat or car, grab your favorite snack, and journey with us through Tennessee’s lifeline.

Muscle Shoals

Muscle Shoals, Alabama’s music capital, is just a stone’s throw away from Pickwick Lake. The town earned its reputation as the “Hit Recording Capital of the World” due to the influential music that was produced there. Starting in the 1960s, the area became a hotspot for recording studios and attracted renowned artists from various genres, including soul, R&B, rock, and country. Artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and many others recorded their music in the storied studios of Muscle Shoals.

If walls had ears, the walls at Fame Studios, one of the most iconic studios, would sing throughout the night. Founded by record producer Rick Hall in 1959, Fame Studios became a hub for recording artists who sought the distinctive “Muscle Shoals Sound.” The studio’s rhythm section, known as the “Swampers,” played a significant role in shaping the sound and contributed to countless hit songs.

Land Between the Lakes

Covering over 170,000 acres, the Land Between the Lakes is situated between Kentucky Lake to the west and Lake Barkley to the east. This recreational area juts out between the two reservoirs and is shared between Kentucky and Tennessee. The LBL area is known for its scenic beauty, abundant wildlife, and outdoor opportunities. If you want to end your night in a tent, these woods beckon you away from the shores and beaches.

From wildlife to nature and culture, the Land Between the Lakes is filled with things to do. Visitors to the forest enjoy hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. If you’re looking for a scenic drive through the woods, Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway, a 43-mile route, travels through the landscape’s greatest features.

Want to learn more about the area’s heritage? The Golden Pond Visitor Center and Planetarium is a popular stop for learning about the region’s geology and history.

Fort Donelson River Batteries

At the end of your journey down the river, dip into the cool waters of history at the Fort Donelson River Batteries. During the American Civil War, Confederate forces built multiple batteries along rivers to repel naval attacks by the Union, and the cannons in Dover are no different. There are two sets of batteries, one upper and one lower.

These Confederate batteries played a crucial role in the Battle of Fort Donelson, which took place from February 11 to 16, 1862. Union forces, led by Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant, launched a combined land and naval assault on the fort. During the battle, Union gunboats, including the USS St. Louis and the USS Louisville, engaged the Confederate river batteries in fierce naval duels. The Union forces bombarded the fort and its river batteries, eventually leading to the surrender of the Confederate garrison on February 16, 1862.

Today, the area is preserved as a national battlefield and historic site. To get to the batteries by boat, head north on the Tennessee River until you cross into Kentucky, go through Barkley Canal, and down the Cumberland River until arriving near Dover, Tennessee. The battlefield is open every day of the week from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

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Now that you know some of the Tennessee River’s most iconic pitstops, you can embark on a journey filled with music, nature, and history along this historic waterway.

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