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## Overview This roadside mountain spring sits along TN Highway 68 in the Farner area of Polk County, Tennessee, nestled between the small towns of Tellico Plains and Ducktown in the scenic Appalachian foothills of southeastern Tennessee. The spring flows naturally from the mountainside and has been improved with a stone-and-cement catch pool and a pipe that channels the water outward, making it easy for passersby to fill bottles and jugs. Polk County lies within the geologically rich Blue Ridge province of the southern Appalachians, an area known for its abundant groundwater and natural springs fed by rainfall filtering through ancient metamorphic rock. Springs along Highway 68 have long been used by locals and travelers as convenient sources of fresh mountain water. Visitors have reported that the water from this spring tastes clean and cold, consistent with the character of many high-quality Appalachian mountain springs — though, as with any untreated natural water source, water quality can vary with weather and seasonal conditions. ## Directions 1. From **Ducktown, TN**, head west on **TN Highway 68** toward Tellico Plains. 2. From **Tellico Plains, TN**, head east on **TN Highway 68** toward Ducktown. 3. The spring is located **roadside**, directly alongside TN Highway 68, closer to the Ducktown end of the route, near the community of **Farner**. 4. Watch for a stone-and-cement catch basin on the mountain side of the road with a pipe draining water — it is visible from the highway. 5. Pull off onto the shoulder near the spring. There is no formal parking area, so use caution when stopping. 6. **GPS coordinates:** 35.1906, -84.3248 ## What to Expect This is a simple, no-frills roadside spring — the kind of stop that has served Appalachian travelers for generations. The catch pool is constructed from stones and cement, and a pipe channels the spring water out from the mountainside, making it straightforward to hold a bottle or jug underneath and fill up. The flow comes directly from the mountain, and the setup keeps the collection point relatively clean and accessible. The spring is right beside TN Highway 68, so there is no hiking required. Visitors should be mindful of traffic when pulling over, as there is no designated parking lot — just the road shoulder. The surrounding landscape is typical of the southern Blue Ridge: forested mountain slopes, lush vegetation, and winding two-lane roads. The drive along Highway 68 between Tellico Plains and Ducktown is itself a scenic route, passing through the Cherokee National Forest and offering mountain views throughout. Water flow may vary seasonally, with stronger output during wetter months in spring and winter and potentially reduced flow during dry summer periods. As with all natural, untreated springs, the water has not been tested or certified for safety — visitors who choose to drink should be aware of this.