Lilly Bluff Area

 

Lilly Bluff is one of several access areas along the Obed Wild & Scenic River, with options that fit a range of trip styles. Make a quick stop for views at the overlook, take a hike, access Clear Creek, or do a bit of rock climbing. Use the sections below to plan your visit, know what to expect on arrival, and choose the best activities for the season and conditions.

 

Vault toilets and accessible parking at Lilly Bridge.

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Lilly Bridge

Location and Parking

Address:
GPS Coordinates: 36.1020181°, -84.7174438

Directions:

Visitor Center to Lilly Bluff Bridge
From Obed Visitor Center in downtown Wartburg, you’ll head out of town on the main highway corridor toward TN-62, then follow TN-62 west toward the Lancing area. From there, turn onto Ridge Road, which drops off the plateau into Clear Creek Gorge and brings you to Lilly Bridge

Parking:
There are two dedicated parking areas located on either side of Lilly Bridge, with accessible parking next to the restrooms.

 

Things to Do

Hike and Explore
From the parking lot you can access the Bridge Trail and Overlook Trail. Visit the Obed hiking webpage to learn more.

Climbing
Lilly Climbing Area can be reached from the Bridge Trail, which leads to a variety of sandstone cliffs offering both sport and traditional climbing routes. Climbing programs and guided experiences are also often held here, providing opportunities to learn climbing techniques and explore the cliffs with trained instructors.

Water Recreation
Clear Creek is accessible from Lilly Bridge, providing opportunities for wading, fishing, paddling, and floating. Visitors should exercise caution, as Clear Creek is a free-flowing stream and conditions can change rapidly depending on various environmental factors.

 

Getting kayaks together at Lilly Bridge parking lot.

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Clear Creek rushes past Lilly Bridge during the high-water season.

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Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge.

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Main parking lot at Lilly Bluff.

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Lilly Bluff Overlook

Location and Parking

Directions:

Lilly Bridge to Lilly Bluff Overlook area
From Lilly Bridge, continue along Ridge Road as it climbs back up out of the gorge, the Lilly Bluff picnic/parking area is a short distance after the bridge, and the overlook is a short walk from that parking lot.

Alternative (on foot):
The Bridge Trail directly connects Lilly Bridge to the Overlook Trail area (about 0.5-mile one way), so you can park at the bridge and hike up instead of driving.

Parking:
There are two parking areas, an overflow lot and the main lot, separated by a small road. There are accessible parking spots at the main parking lot.

 

Things to Do

Picnic
In the parking lot area there are picnic tables and a grill available.

Hike and Explore
Four trailheads can be found at the Lilly Bluff Overlook parking area: Overlook Trail, Point Trail, Bridge Trail and Boulder Field Trails.

Bouldering Fields
Climbers can train and test their skills on the boulders found on the Boulder Field Trails. An easy, 0.5 miles,one way trail will take you to the fields from the parking lot. Learn more about boulder climbing at Obed.

 

Overlook view during fall.

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Boardwalk at Lilly Bluff overlook.

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Arch found along Point Trail.

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