Coalfield Weekend Guide: Ridge Views and Back Roads

Coalfield is a ridge-line community in eastern Morgan County, and the weekend here is built for people who like their scenery from the driver's seat. Back roads, ridge views, food trucks, and one of the biggest off-road parks in the country a short drive away.

Day One: Ridges and Food Trucks

Morning: Drive the ridges. Knoxville Highway and the county roads around Coalfield climb and roll with long views off both sides. Stop at the overlooks. This is the morning.

Afternoon: Coalfield Crossroads Food Truck Park off Knoxville Highway. The truck lineup rotates, so every visit is a little different. There is lawn space, cornhole, and room for the kids to run. Check the park's social pages for which trucks are on.

Evening: Drive into Oliver Springs, about 20 minutes south, for dinner at The Garage Bar & Grill. Beer, pizza, wings, and small live music acts on the weekends.

Day Two: Windrock Park

Morning: Head to Windrock Park near Oliver Springs. It is 73,000 acres with more than 300 miles of trails, built for ATVs, side-by-sides, and Jeeps, with hiking trails too. Check their site for day-pass requirements before you go.

Afternoon: Trails all afternoon. The views from the top of the mountain stretch across the whole valley.

Evening: Slow drive back to Coalfield. Grill out at the rental and call it a weekend.

Where to Stay

Coalfield is a vacation-rental area. Cabins and homes with ridge views are the standard move. Hotels are in Oliver Springs and Oak Ridge, about 20 to 30 minutes south.

Good to Know

Truck lineup rotates: The food truck park's vendors change, so check ahead if you have your heart set on something specific.

Windrock passes: Windrock requires land-use passes for off-road vehicles. Buy them before you hit the trails.

Cell service: Spotty on the ridges and inside the park. Download maps.

What is Windrock Park?

A 73,000-acre off-road and outdoor recreation park near Oliver Springs with over 300 miles of trails for ATVs, Jeeps, mountain bikes, and hikers.

Is Coalfield close to Oliver Springs?

Yes. Oliver Springs is about 20 minutes south of Coalfield, and it is where most visitors go for dinner and groceries.

Where is the nearest grocery store?

Food City in Oliver Springs is the nearest full-service grocery, about 20 minutes south.

What kind of food is at the food truck park?

It rotates. Past lineups have run from pizza and tacos to lemonade stands. That is the fun of it.