Sunbright sits atop the Cumberland Plateau on TN-27 between Oliver Springs and Oneida, surrounded by low mountains. It's a town of a few hundred people with a railroad name and some of East Tennessee's best outdoor country in every direction.
Sunbright has been renamed twice. It started as Pine Top, then became Stapleton after the family that ran the first post office. When the railroad came through, the railroad named the town Sunbright, and the name stuck. The town's city hall and fire hall still anchor the small downtown, and the city can be reached at (423) 628-5260.
At 120 Melton Drive, the Veterans Memorial honors local service members. It's a quiet stop in the middle of town and worth a few minutes of your time.
A short drive northwest, the Victorian village of Rugby is one of the most unusual places in Tennessee. Founded in 1880 as a utopian settlement for English gentry, it's now a living historic village with original 19th-century buildings, walking tours, and the R.M. Brooks General Merchandise store. It's a full afternoon on its own.
About 20 miles away, Brimstone Recreation is East Tennessee's off-road playground: roughly 19,000 acres and 300 miles of trails for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and mountain bikes. It's one of the biggest reasons people visit this part of the plateau.
About 15 minutes south, Frozen Head's 24,000 acres hold 50-plus miles of hiking trails, waterfalls like Debord Falls, and the 360-degree observation deck atop the 3,324-foot summit. Free admission, open 8 a.m. to sunset, and home to the infamous Barkley Marathons.
East in Petros, the historic prison (opened 1896, closed 2009) offers self-guided tours, a museum, concerts, the End of the Line distillery, and The Warden's Table restaurant. Check tourbrushy.com for seasonal hours.
The Obed's gorges and the Emory River are a short drive south. The Nemo area has riverside picnicking and the historic Nemo pedestrian bridge, and Lilly Bluff has easy trails with canyon overlooks. Start at the National Park Service visitor center in downtown Wartburg.
Sunbright is a small plateau town, so pack supplies before you arrive. There is no full-service grocery in town. The nearest grocery stores and more dining options are in Wartburg to the south or Oneida to the north on TN-27. Driving the plateau roads is half the fun, but take it easy on the curves.
The town was originally called Pine Top, then Stapleton after the family that ran the first post office. When the railroad came through, the railroad named the community Sunbright.
Historic Rugby's Victorian village, Brimstone Recreation's 300 miles of OHV trails, Frozen Head State Park, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, and the Obed Wild and Scenic River are all within about 30 minutes.
About an hour, roughly 60 miles, south on TN-27 through Oliver Springs.
Yes. Sunbright sits atop the Cumberland Plateau between Oliver Springs and Oneida, surrounded by the plateau's low mountains.
Brimstone Recreation, about 20 miles away, has roughly 19,000 acres and 300 miles of trails for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and mountain bikes.
Exploring Morgan County? See Morgan County homes for sale and the Wartburg town guide from Real Estate Concepts.