Clarktown Springs

## Overview Clarktown Springs is a remarkable roadside natural spring site located along Eastland Road in White County, Tennessee, near Sparta. What makes this location truly unique is that three distinct types of spring water emerge side by side from the earth — sulphur, iron, and freestone water — each with its own mineral character and taste. This rare trio of naturally occurring spring waters has historically drawn visitors to the area, which was once known as Clarktown Health Springs, a destination where people came seeking the reputed therapeutic benefits of the mineral-rich waters. The presence of three different water types at a single location speaks to the complex geology beneath this part of the Cumberland Plateau, where underground water flows through varying rock formations and mineral deposits before surfacing. Sulphur springs carry a distinctive smell and taste from dissolved hydrogen sulfide, iron springs are typically recognizable by their reddish-orange mineral staining and metallic flavor, and freestone water — flowing throughite or sandstone — tends to be clearer and more neutral in taste. Visitors have historically prized each type for different purposes. ## Directions 1. From Sparta, Tennessee, head east on **Highway 70 (US-70)**. 2. Turn onto **Eastland Road**, which branches off Highway 70 in White County. 3. Continue approximately **1 mile** down Eastland Road. 4. The springs are located roadside near **274 Eastland Road, Sparta, TN 38583**. 5. GPS coordinates: **35.943142, -85.316202** The springs are right along the road, making them easy to access without a hike. ## What to Expect Clarktown Springs is a convenient roadside stop where all three spring sources — sulphur, iron, and freestone — flow in close proximity to one another. Visitors can sample and compare the distinctly different mineral profiles of each spring. The sulphur water will have a noticeable egg-like aroma characteristic of hydrogen sulfide, while the iron spring may show orange or rust-colored mineral deposits around its outlet. The freestone spring typically runs clearer and has historically been considered the most palatable for general drinking. As a public roadside spring, access is straightforward — no trails or difficult terrain to navigate. Simply pull off the road and approach the spring sources. The area carries a rich history as a health spring destination, once known as Clarktown Health Springs, where visitors traveled specifically to partake of the mineral waters. Searching for "Clarktown Health Springs" can reveal more about the fascinating history of this area and the role mineral springs played in the region's heritage. While the springs have long been used as a drinking water source by locals and visitors alike, water quality can vary with weather and seasonal conditions, and the water has not been independently tested or certified as potable.