For years, my vision of what Fairfield Glade probably kept me from actually visiting this hidden gem along the Cumberland Plateau. That vision included golf courses (which they have many), gated communities of retirees and families dealing with timeshare pitches to get a “free” vacation.  After spending a few days at Fairfield Glade, I can’t tell you just how wrong I was about this thriving community and resort that in 2020 celebrated its 50th Birthday.  (Well, I was wrong, except for the golf courses. They have 5 of them and I understand they are each amazing, although I’m not into golf.)

*During this trip my family and I were guests of Fairfield Glade and the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Relaxing on a Lake

Gliding along the crystal cool waters of Fairfield Glade’s Lake Dartmoor it becomes clear why so many people are drawn to this part of Cumberland Plateau.  From the marina, water stretches out in several directions with high forested ridgelines stretching up from the shores.  There are plenty of homes around the lake,  with most blending in to their natural surroundings. 

John & Beth Wedgworth moved here from North Carolina and were gracious enough to take us out on their boat for a ride on the lake.  The entire lake is a no wake zone so the waters were calm on this particular evening with just a light breeze.  It’s a perfect way to relax and even if you don’t have friends with a boat there you can rent one or go out on a kayak.  For those not wanting to go out on the water, Lake Dartmoor’s white sandy beach might just be what you need.

A family vacation at Fairfield Glade

Wyndham Resorts is the primary destination for vacationers at Fairfield Glade.  And while they do have a timeshare option, that never came up during our time there.  Our home for the three days was a recently remodeled condo nestled next to the woods and a mountain stream whose waters became quite soothing as we ventured out onto the deck.   The condos include a full kitchen, a living area and separate bedrooms.  They are perfect for family vacations and in many instances are as affordable (or more so) than staying in a hotel. 

Your stay with Wyndham includes access to all the resorts amenities like the pool, beaches, tennis courts, lakes and miniature golf course.  (*Just a note that some of the amenities are not free, but when staying with Wyndham you get member pricing for those that do have a fee.)

Take a hike

There are certainly free things to do while at Fairfield Glade, too, even if you’re just visiting for the day.  It kind of blew my mind to find out there are 26 miles of walking and hiking trails at Fairfield Glade.  On the Sunday morning during our stay there, we met up with John Conrad, a British native who now calls Fairfield Glade home.  John knows the trails well as he helped get them built and maintained.  His expertise extends well beyond Fairfield Glade as he’s one of the top trail experts in Cumberland County.   He even told us about the annual “Hiking Marathon” in Cumberland County that has grown from a few hundred participants to more than two-thousand each year.

John took us on the Overlook Trail a nearly two-mile loop that begins at the spot where it gets its name, an overlook built decades ago where you get a magnificent view of the forested valley below.  The trail is an easy one to navigate, but does require navigating steps and a steep hill. While the forests alone are worth the hike, for me the section stretching along the banks of Daddy’s Creek was the most interesting part.   Big boulders line the creek bed, and John hopes one day the Cumberland Trail on the other side of the creek might be linked with the Overlook Trail with a bridge.  Along the creek tall rock walls stretch upward, a perfect illustration of a signature geologic formation along the Cumberland Plateau.

Fairfield Glade on horseback

Not far from the Overlook Trail you’ll find Wildwood Stables, the starting point for a different kind of journey back into the woods in this part of the Cumberland Plateau. Located on the edge of the Fairfield Glade Community, Wildwood is easy to spot, just look for one of the largest Sycamore trees you’ve probably ever seen and a big barn with a bright red roof.    While Wildwood caters to the Fairfield Glade and Wyndham Resort community (one of only two Wyndham properties offering horseback riding) it is open to anyone.

Before you check in, be sure and take a bit of time to admire the impressive sycamore tree which rivals the barn in size.   It’s nearly 100 feet high with it’s branches stretching out into a 165 foot crown.   This sycamore is around 150 years old and as the stable owner tells me, is the second largest sycamore tree in the state of Tennessee.   It’s even designated as a historical landmark as many prominent travelers heading west likely stopped at this very tree.

The staff at Wildwood will get you ready for your ride out onto the 300 acre property.   On the day we visited, we went on the short route which is about a 30 minute ride.  The long ride lasts about 90 minutes and takes you up on the mountain in the distance.   My wife and I hadn’t been on a horse in decades and our daughter had not ridden a horse before.  This was a great way to get “back in the saddle” so to speak.   The views from parts of the ride were amazing and it was such a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

Stonehenge Grille

After a day of hiking, horseback riding or a round of golf, chances are you’ll get hungry.   There are plenty of choices in the Fairfield Glade community or you can head into Crossville just a few minutes away. 

We opted for a couple of meals at Stonehenge Grille located at one of Fairfield Glade’s most popular Golf Clubs. As you pull into the parking lot you’ll notice a small replica of the prehistoric monument that gives the place its name. Through the front doors and down the hall you’ll find the  Stonehenge Grille.  The restaurant offers up an impressive selection of dishes at what we found to be surprisingly affordable prices for a Golf Club.   And it didn’t hurt that the view of the golf course was quite nice.

Beyond Fairfield Glade

While there is certainly plenty to do at Fairfield Glade you’ll probably want to explore more of Cumberland County while you are there. Crossville, the County Seat, has a charming downtown that is home to Grinder House Cafe, a great place for food, beverage and live music. In fact it’s part of the Tennessee Music Pathways program. The Palace Theater just down the street is also known for its live music and history. Cumberland Mountain State Park, the Cumberland Homesteads and the Cumberland Trail all provide plenty of nature and history to explore.

For more information on Fairfield Glade visit: fairfieldglade.cc

For more on Wyndham Resorts at Fairfield Glade click here.