Montvale Springs

## Overview Montvale Springs is a historic public drinking spring located along Montvale Road in Maryville, Tennessee, within Blount County, at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. This spring holds a notable place in Tennessee history — it served as the centerpiece of a popular resort destination not once but twice during the mid-19th century. In the antebellum era, Montvale Springs Resort attracted wealthy visitors from across the South who came to "take the waters," believing in the mineral spring's restorative and healing properties. The resort was a fashionable summer retreat, drawing prominent guests and offering an escape from the heat and disease of lowland cities. The resort's popularity waned during the Civil War but saw a revival in later decades before eventually falling into decline. Today, the spring itself remains accessible as a public drinking spring, a quiet reminder of the area's once-thriving resort heritage. Situated at GPS coordinates 35.640309, -83.961694, Montvale Springs offers visitors a chance to experience a piece of living Appalachian history while enjoying naturally flowing spring water that has been valued by locals and travelers for well over 150 years. ## Directions 1. From Maryville, Tennessee, head south on US-321 / Lamar Alexander Parkway toward the Great Smoky Mountains. 2. Turn onto Montvale Road and continue along it as it winds into the foothills. 3. The spring is located near 4907 Montvale Road, Maryville, TN 37803. 4. Watch for the spring site along the roadside. GPS coordinates (35.640309, -83.961694) can be entered into a navigation app for precise guidance. ## What to Expect Montvale Springs sits in a scenic stretch of the Smoky Mountain foothills, surrounded by lush Appalachian forest and rolling terrain. The spring has historically been used as a drinking water source, and visitors have long reported that the water tastes clean and refreshing — a testament to the mineral-rich geology of the region that once made this a sought-after health resort. The area around the spring is steeped in history. While the grand resort buildings of the 1800s are long gone, the landscape retains a peaceful, timeless quality. Visitors should be aware that this is a rural, roadside spring — amenities are minimal, so plan accordingly. The spring flows year-round, though flow rates may vary seasonally. Montvale Springs makes for a rewarding stop for history enthusiasts, spring water collectors, and anyone exploring the back roads leading toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which lies just a short drive to the south.