Rock City

Rock City, TN is famous for its unique rock formations, particularly the massive sandstone formations known as "rock gardens." These natural features were formed millions of years ago, primarily through erosion and weathering. The area features dramatic cliffs, deep crevices, and boulders that look like they’ve been carefully placed, giving the site its distinct, almost mystical appearance.

In the 1920s, entrepreneur Garnet Carter and his wife Frieda began developing the area. Frieda, inspired by European folklore, envisioned a garden among the rock formations, leading to the creation of the Fairyland neighborhood. She spent years designing walking trails and planting over 400 varieties of flora among the boulders, while incorporating whimsical gnome and fairy tale scenes. In 1932, they opened Rock City Gardens to the public, featuring winding trails, native plant gardens, and whimsical fairy tale scenes.  

You can text a post card back home

You can buy a wooden ball for $5 and use it to 

play numerous games around the park

Vibraphone 

Fairyland Caverns, filled with gnome and fairy tale scenes

Little Red Riding Hood 

Guess who?

This tale is about a lost slipper

A few of the numerous fairytales depicted here 

Denise, Amy and Penny 

Picture of one of the trails created by Frieda back in the 1920s

She marked each trail with string to clearly guide visitors along the correct path.

It's a tight fit, but I made it. Denise and Penny

Amy 

The trail below

Great views up here

Denise getting a hug from Moss Beard

More fun with your ball

And round and round it will go

and it was a squeeze

Lovers leap back when

Lovers Leap today

A bit of whimsy  

A water fall cascading from Lovers Point