The Sequatchie Valley is a classic example of a geologic anticline, where the Earth's crust has arched upward and subsequently eroded.
The valley floor sits significantly lower than the surrounding Cumberland Plateau, creating a prominent escarpment known as the 'Cumberland Escarpment'.
The Sequatchie River, which winds through the valley, is a tributary of the Tennessee River.
The TN-111 Sequatchie Valley Overlook provides an elevated vantage point of the Sequatchie Valley, a 150-mile-long limestone trench carved by the Sequatchie River. Located directly off Highway 111, the site sits atop the Cumberland Plateau, offering views of the valley floor and the surrounding Appalachian ridge-and-valley topography. The overlook area consists of a paved parking turnout and a designated viewing platform. Geologically, the valley is a breached anticline, exposing older rock layers along its floor. It serves as a primary stopping point for travelers traversing the steep climb from the valley floor to the plateau surface. The site is managed as a public scenic pull-off.
The north end of the parking area provides the widest unobstructed panoramic view of the valley gap.
Pull off carefully as traffic on Highway 111 can move at high speeds.
Bring binoculars to spot the agricultural layout and specific rock formations on the valley floor.
Ensure your vehicle's cooling system is functioning well before the climb up the mountain grade.
Do not attempt to walk along the highway shoulder, as there is heavy, high-speed truck traffic.
