Discover Tennessee's hidden natural wonder with this Twin Arches Poster by Swell Scenes. Featuring the massive double sandstone arches—the largest natural arches in the eastern United States—framed by vibrant autumn foliage in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, this artwork captures the dramatic beauty that makes this Tennessee-Kentucky borderland a hiker's paradise. Perfect for Appalachian trail hikers, Tennessee residents, Big South Fork visitors, fall foliage enthusiasts, and anyone who's stood beneath these 70-foot sandstone giants.
Why You'll Love It
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Largest Natural Arches in Eastern US: Celebrates the impressive Twin Arches—North Arch spans 135 feet and South Arch reaches 103 feet—the most spectacular sandstone formations east of Utah's canyon country.
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Big South Fork Beauty: Captures the rugged Cumberland Plateau landscape where Tennessee and Kentucky meet, featuring ancient rock formations, dense forests, and the wild Cumberland River gorge.
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Perfect Tennessee Gift: Ideal for hikers who've completed the 4.6-mile Twin Arches Loop, Tennessee outdoor enthusiasts, Appalachian trail lovers, or anyone who cherishes Tennessee's hidden natural treasures.
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Autumn Splendor: Vibrant fall colors frame the sandstone arches, capturing the spectacular October foliage that makes Big South Fork one of the South's premier autumn destinations.
About Twin Arches Trail, Big South Fork, Tennessee
Twin Arches, hidden in the Cumberland Plateau wilderness of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, stand as the eastern United States' most impressive natural arch formation. North Arch spans 135 feet—longer than a football field is wide—while South Arch reaches 103 feet across, both soaring approximately 70 feet high from ancient sandstone carved over millions of years by water, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles. The moderate 4.6-mile Twin Arches Loop Trail, accessed from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area, leads hikers through Cumberland Plateau hardwood forests to these geological marvels, with the payoff being the ability to walk through and stand beneath arches that dwarf visitors. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service and spanning 125,000 acres across the Tennessee-Kentucky border, protects one of the Cumberland Plateau's most rugged and scenic landscapes—deep gorges carved by the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, towering sandstone bluffs and cliffs, over 300 natural arches (though Twin Arches reign supreme), hidden waterfalls, and dense Appalachian forests. The area sits roughly equidistant from Nashville (100 miles northwest), Knoxville (70 miles southeast), and Lexington, Kentucky (110 miles north), making it accessible yet wonderfully undiscovered compared to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Twin Arches Trail ranks among Tennessee's best day hikes—well-maintained but challenging enough to filter crowds, with the arches themselves offering cool shade in summer and protection from rain, making them popular camping spots (backcountry camping permitted). Autumn transforms Big South Fork into a kaleidoscope of color as oaks, hickories, maples, and poplars paint the plateau in reds, oranges, and golds typically peaking mid-to-late October—the vibrant foliage framing the buff-colored sandstone creates photography opportunities that rival New England. The Cumberland Plateau's ancient rock layers tell geological stories spanning 300+ million years, with the Pennsylvanian-age sandstone forming cliffs, overhangs, and arches throughout the region. Beyond Twin Arches, Big South Fork offers Yahoo Falls (Kentucky's highest waterfall at 113 feet just across the border), Blue Heron Mining Community (restored coal mining camp), whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Big South Fork River, mountain biking on extensive trail networks, rock climbing on sandstone walls, and backcountry horseback riding through wilderness. The area's relative obscurity compared to Smokies means fewer crowds, more solitude, and authentic Appalachian wilderness experience. Historic sites include Civil War earthworks, old-growth forests, and remnants of logging and coal mining that shaped the Cumberland Plateau's history. The twin towns of Oneida, Tennessee, and Whitley City, Kentucky, serve as gateways, offering small-town Appalachian character and access to this wilderness playground. Whether you've hiked beneath the towering Twin Arches at sunrise when light illuminates the sandstone's texture, photographed autumn leaves against ancient rock formations, backpacked through Big South Fork's wilderness camping beneath star-filled skies, rafted the Big South Fork River through dramatic gorges, or simply love Tennessee's hidden natural wonders beyond the tourist crowds, Twin Arches represent the best of Appalachian adventure—spectacular geology, pristine wilderness, and trails that reward those who seek them out. This poster celebrates both the specific grandeur of Twin Arches and the broader beauty of Big South Fork's protected wilderness straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky border.
Print & Frame Details
- Premium 189gsm matte paper using archival pigment inks
- Framed options include a 0.75″ (1.9 cm) Ayous wood frame in black, white, or natural
- Lightweight Acrylite front protector and hanging hardware included
- Available in multiple sizes, framed or unframed
- Printed to order to reduce waste and support sustainable practices
Thoughtful Craftsmanship
At Swell Scenes, every print is made to order with museum-quality materials. Our Appalachian wilderness series celebrates hidden natural wonders and the trails that lead to Tennessee and Kentucky's most spectacular formations — made for hikers, nature lovers, and adventurers who explore beyond the crowds.
About Swell Scenes
Swell Scenes turns hidden natural treasures into bold, beautiful artwork that fits any space. With a passion for Tennessee hiking, Big South Fork wilderness, and Appalachian landscapes, our posters celebrate the places where geology and nature create unforgettable beauty.
