Weekend Get Away to Jasper TN

 

I don't know about you but sometimes you just need a short weekend get away where you can relax and not really do much. Recently I found myself in just that state of mine, frazzled, needing some fresh air and in no mood to plan anything.  A quick google search and I found a gem in the middle of nowhere called Jasper, TN that also happened to only be a couple of hours from home. Jasper is a short thirty minute drive from Chattanooga, so you can take it as slow as you want or spice up your time with a drive into the city. If you are an outdoors person there is plenty enough to do to keep you occupied though. Below I have a sample itinerary if you want  a quick guide on what to do and where to stay for a short weekend get away.

1) Where to Stay: Hales Bar Marina and Resort  https://halesbarmarina.com/

This is no lux resort but if you like to camp but also enjoy having a bath and shower, this is the place for you. There are several floating cabins that allow you to fish right off of your own deck but I prefer the lake side cabin we got. There is a pool, dock store, and bar. The property also boasts a haunted electric building and the entire area is considered haunted. The damn is on top of a cemetery the state decided to flood and old Indian burial grounds. Hundreds of construction workers died building the damn and many children died at the damn as they used a tunnel to cross to get to school that had a leak. Currently the owners are truing the old electric building into a brewery that they hope to have open by fall.  The resort also rents pontoon boats and paddle boats.

2) What to do

If fishing or boating aren't your thing the area has some great hikes both short and more extreme. We did the short hike to Foster Falls which is a popular swimming hole for locals. It is easy enough for most and it only takes maybe ten minutes to get to the base of the fall. There are other trails near the fall offering beautiful views and interesting plant life. For the more experienced there is the 12 mile Fiery Gizzard Trail. Hikers may observe nature, swim in Fiery Gizzard Creek, see spectacular rock formations, cascading streams, waterfalls, rocky gorges, panoramic overlooks and lush woodlands. This trail has been rated by Backpacker magazine as one of the Top 25 in the country. I myself have not hiked the Fiery Gizzard Trail, but more power to you if you have the stamina! 

3) Where to eat

Look Out Winery

A mere five minute drive from Hales Resort, Lookout Winery offers wine tastings and pizza with beautiful mountain views. The establishment really needs to work on the look of it's building but the wines and view make up for it. 

TOP of the ROCK

Beautiful restaurant and view tucked up in a private community. It is supposedly a brewery but when we were there I did not feel they were really promoting their home brew. This place gets packed on weekend nights so make a reservation if you don't want a long wait.