Nestled between two of Tennessee’s biggest cities on the Cumberland Plateau is the state’s “golf capital,” a sports city full of Southern charm. When you think of professional golf courses, you may envision the links of Pebble Beach or hidden gems designed by pros like Tiger Woods, but Crossville, Tennessee, is home to nine championship golf courses. Even if you want to skip the golfing, there are plenty of local resorts with other outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, or boating. You can also explore Crossville’s quaint, Southern downtown, which is positively brimming with local shops and art.
Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain is part of Cumberland Mountain State Park and was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The 9,600-yard course was named “One of the Top Ten (Courses) You Can Play in North America” by Golf Magazine in 1999. Another big golf spot in Crossville is Fairfield Glade, home to 90 holes across five distinct 18-hole courses. One of the Fairfield Glade courses, Stonehenge Golf Club, hosted the Tennessee Senior State Open in June 2025 and will play host to the Tennessee Women’s Open as well.
Crossville’s location makes it a relatively easy drive from any one of Tennessee’s main airports, but the quickest way to get there would be to fly into McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville and then make the 70-mile drive to the city.
Resorts and other outdoor fun in Crossville
While Crossville is known for its golf courses, it also offers access to many other sports complexes and luxurious resorts. Just five minutes north of downtown Crossville is Centennial Park, which boasts 83 acres of recreational space. With several softball, baseball, and youth tee-ball fields, as well as tennis, pickleball, basketball, and sand volleyball courts, the park has something for everyone. Picnic shelters, a skatepark, a dog park, and a playground are available as well. Crossville is also home to a shooting sports park that includes skeet and trap fields, clay courses, and gun ranges…