Delano: Train Rides, River Landscapes and Nature in Tennessee

Delano combines railroad history with the river landscape of the Hiwassee River and the natural areas of the Cherokee National Forest. For families who do not want to plan a trip around just one attraction, this creates a varied mix: You can choose a train ride as a major shared experience, enjoy the river from the shore or from a public boat launch, and plan hikes in the surrounding area. When searching for a vacation rental in Delano, the key consideration is therefore which focus you want to shape your days.

Train Rides Through Gorge and Forest

The Hiwassee River Railroad departs from Delano in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Scenic train rides start here, follow the Hiwassee River and pass through the Cherokee National Forest. The Hiwassee Loop is a particularly extensive experience: The round trip from Delano is 50 miles long and takes about 4.5 hours. The route runs through the Hiwassee River Gorge, making it a clear focus for a longer day trip.

There is also a scenic 90-minute round trip along the Hiwassee River through the Cherokee National Forest to the historic Apalachia Powerhouse. For planning your trip, the two formats can easily be distinguished by the time available: The Hiwassee Loop takes up a large part of the day, while the trip to the Apalachia Powerhouse is designed to be shorter. The Hiwassee River Railroad runs on railway lines originally built by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in the late 19th century. The journey therefore offers not only scenery but also a tangible insight into the history of the route.

Water, Fishing and Hiking Trails

The state park and the Cherokee National Forest along the Hiwassee River offer several public boat launches. At Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park, you can fish for largemouth bass, yellow perch, catfish, and brook and rainbow trout. These options give your trip different rhythms: An active day on the water can be followed by a more relaxed train excursion or a hike.

The Gee Creek Wilderness borders Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park. In the surrounding area, the semiprimitive Gee Creek Trail begins at a parking area outside the southwestern corner of the Gee Creek Wilderness. It follows an old forest road for about half a mile before entering the wilderness area. A scenic section of the John Muir Trail runs through the river gorge in Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park. When choosing a suitable base for a vacation rental in Delano, you can therefore weigh the railroad, river and hiking trails as the defining elements of your stay.

Guidance for Searching for Accommodation

The park and launch ramp for Hiwassee River Rail Adventure are located at 9406 HWY 411, Delano, Tennessee 37325. This specific address can help you find your way for an excursion with the Hiwassee River Railroad. Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park also has the Gee Creek Primitive Tent Campground with 47 sites. When choosing accommodation in Delano, the decisive question therefore remains whether you want to use the town as a base for train rides, as a destination for nature and water experiences, or as part of a varied trip through the region.

If you would like to compare other places from the same selection, you can also take a look at Ducktown. This allows you to refine your personal travel plans without losing sight of Delano’s different landscapes and experiences.

For the broader travel overview: Polk County.