You could camp anywhere in America but Lilly Pad Obed is special. Central to the Obed Wild & Scenic River, the primitive campground is a favorite for climbers who consider the sandstone boulders and cliffs the ultimate playground. The primitive campsite is a generous $5 a night, complete with a brewery on-site. Lilly Pad Obed is also within the park’s International Dark Sky designation that allows a broad scope of stars after the sun has set. 

I had previously camped during the solar eclipse but was happy to be back without the crowds that it drew. The laid back campsite is peaceful and home to Big, the large gentle dog who roams the grounds looking for belly rubs and a nice shady spot to hang out in.

During the summer, the woods can feel almost tropical with the Southern fauna that permeates the trees and footpaths. It never feels like we’ve been able to see enough or fully absorb the magical qualities of the area. At the same time, the promise of future exploring never gets old.

Last weekend I went camping in East Tennessee near the Obed Wild & Scenic River area. This area is both designated as a Wild & Scenic River and a designated as an International Dark Sky Park. It was pretty warm out so we opted for some shorter hiking so we still had plenty time for swimming. We went on the short but scenic Boulder Trail which leads to an area known as Boulder Field. This is a favorite area for rock climbers due to the unique sandstone rock formed from ancient seas. As the sun was coming in harshly through our hike, I opted to fully edit our photos in black and white for a better look at the detail and unique foliage of the area.