Dunn Spring

## Overview Dunn Spring is a private drinking spring located near Townsend, Tennessee, in Blount County, at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains. This large spring serves as a significant water source that flows into White Oak Sink, a remarkable karst feature known for its sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems. The spring's waters feed into the stream that runs through Tuckaleechee Caverns, one of the most celebrated show caves in the eastern United States. Tuckaleechee Caverns, sometimes called the "Greatest Site Under the Smokies," has been open to the public since 1953 and features massive underground rooms and formations carved over millions of years by the dissolving action of water on ancient limestone. Dunn Spring is part of this same karst geology — its flow emerges from the limestone bedrock that characterizes the Tuckaleechee Cove area, a geologic window where older Precambrian and Paleozoic rocks are exposed beneath the surrounding mountains. The mineral-rich limestone through which the water travels likely gives the spring its clarity and cool temperature, typical of karst springs in this region of East Tennessee. As a private spring, access may be restricted, and visitors should seek permission before approaching the site. The water has historically been associated with the local community's use, though its current drinking water status should be confirmed with the property owner. ## Directions 1. From Townsend, Tennessee, head south on US-321 / Lamar Alexander Parkway. 2. Turn onto Tipton Road and continue to the area near 142 Tipton Road. 3. The spring is located in the vicinity of Tuckaleechee Caverns, which is also accessed via Tipton Road off US-321. 4. GPS coordinates: **35.668158, -83.779652** *Note: This is a private spring. Please respect property boundaries and seek permission before visiting.* ## What to Expect Dunn Spring is a substantial natural spring with a strong flow that feeds into the White Oak Sink drainage system. The surrounding landscape is lush and heavily wooded, nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Tuckaleechee Cove area is known for its scenic beauty, with rolling pastures framed by mountain ridges. Because this is a private drinking spring, visitors should not assume public access. If you are in the area, Tuckaleechee Caverns (open seasonally, typically March through November) offers a chance to see the underground waterways that this spring helps feed. The cave features an impressive underground waterfall and stream passages that are part of the same hydrological system. Water flow from karst springs in this region tends to be relatively consistent year-round, though it may increase after heavy rainfall. Seasonal visitors to the Townsend area will find the spring situated in a quiet, rural setting away from the busier tourist corridors of the Smokies.