Tellico Plains, TN is a small town of about 790 residents in Monroe County, known as the western gateway to the Cherohala Skyway and bordered directly by the Cherokee National Forest — home to Bald River Falls, the Tellico River, and some of the most direct public-land access in East Tennessee.
There's a specific kind of buyer who ends up in Tellico Plains: someone who's done with subdivisions, wants acreage that actually backs up to something wild, and doesn't mind a longer drive to town in exchange for a view that doesn't change hands. If that's you, this is one of the few places left in our coverage area where "secluded" still means something.
Is Tellico Plains, TN a Good Place to Live?
Yes — if privacy, land, and forest access matter more to you than walkability or a short commute. Tellico Plains works well for retirees, remote workers, and second-home buyers who want a true mountain base, but it's not the right fit if you need city services or a quick drive to a hospital or big-box store on a daily basis. What you trade in convenience, you get back in quiet.
What Is There to Do in Tellico Plains?
The town's identity is built almost entirely around outdoor recreation. The Cherohala Skyway climbs from Tellico Plains to over 5,000 feet in elevation on its way to Robbinsville, NC, and the Tellico River is well known among anglers for trout fishing along Tellico River Road. Bald River Falls — an 80-to-100-foot waterfall inside the Cherokee National Forest — sits just outside town and is one of the most photographed spots in East Tennessee. In town, Tellico Grains Bakery has become a genuine local gathering spot for the area's small but tight-knit artisan and outdoor community.
How Do You Get to Tellico Plains?
Tellico Plains sits along TN-68, which connects to I-75 at Sweetwater and runs through Madisonville on its way south — so while it's tucked against the national forest, it's not cut off from the rest of Monroe County. For the fuller picture of what's around it, our guide to living in Monroe County walks through how Sweetwater, Madisonville, Vonore, and Tellico Plains compare.
Is Tellico Plains a Good Place to Buy Land?
Yes — it's one of the strongest land and acreage markets in our coverage area, with many properties bordering national forest land directly. If a larger parcel or a working piece of land is part of what's drawing you here, our guide to buying farm and land property in East Tennessee covers what to check — Greenbelt tax status, perc tests, and deeded road access — before you sign anything.
Let's Find Your Mountain Base
Tellico Plains isn't for everyone, and that's exactly the point. If a quiet piece of land against the forest sounds like what you've been looking for, reach out and we'll show you what's actually available right now.
This post reflects population and geographic data available as of mid-2026 estimates.
