Nestled tight in the Unaka Mountains of Unicoi, Tennessee, the infamous Beauty Spot has remained a gorgeous destination for not only residents but also visitors of the Tri-Cities area.
Offering a scenic view from one of the Southern Appalachian’s highest elevation mountain balds, the grassy stage is open conveniently in the summer months and has since offered one of the most exclusive sunset views in Northeast Tennessee.
As part of the Blue Ridge Mountains province, the Beauty Spot deviates slightly off part of the Appalachian Trail and serves as the most locally notable sunset spot in the Unaka Mountains. Just a 40-minute drive from ETSU’s campus provides access to three main lookouts on the Unaka Mountain range that provide a breathtaking sense of relief, beauty and appreciation at a height of 4,440 feet (about 1,143 feet higher than Buffalo Mountain).
“Being up on the mountain top felt like a triple shot of espresso,” said ETSU student Jonathan Roberts. “It was one of the first places I visited when I got to ETSU and it sparked the love I have for this university and the beautiful landscape that surrounds it.”
The Beauty Spot is partnered with the lookouts of Unaka Mountain Overlook, also known as Pleasant Garden, and Horseback Ridge. The ridge’s views are so expansive that they offer a scenic view of Johnson City, Erwin and Unicoi in the ridges and crests of the range below. Horseback Ridge even overlooks Buffalo Mountain, sitting higher than Johnson City’s infamous Huckleberry Knob. Pleasant Garden is only a short distance from the ridge and offers panoramic views of the southern sections of the mountain range.
Such beautiful spots do not always come without slight obstacles, however. To access these panoramic points, it is advised to always use a high clearance vehicle, such as an SUV, truck or Jeep. The steep roads winding up the mountain and rough gravel terrain will require high demand for a vehicle, so ensure your car is fully fueled and free of pressing mechanical issues. Cell service is very spotty in this particular section of the mountain range, so it is also advised to travel in groups or notify someone of your expected whereabouts. To access clear, step-by-step directions to the Beauty Spot, please visit www.easttn.us/attraction or appalachiantreks.blogspot.com.
Because of its elevation, it is also recommended that visitors bring a jacket and dress according to dropping temperatures, especially in the winter months. Some sections of the road are winding, steep and surrounded by dense brush, so colder conditions in the late months of the year force the road from Clear Fork Falls to Indian Grave Gap to close. It is important to take this into account when visiting Beauty Spot.
