Windrock

Windrock - Windmills, ATV and Motorcycle playground. A beautiful and fun place to see.

Have you ever gazed northward from the Knoxville Tennessee area? If you have the opportunity, on a clear day you will see huge windmills towering in the sky above. Have you wondered why they are there, and what else may be found in those mountains?

Invenergy in coordination with the Tennesse Valley Authority ventured into a project to create a clean power project high atop Windrock mountains. It was named the Buffalo Mountain Energy Center. If you scale to top of this rapid ascent, you will find the 18 Vestas Windmills atop Buffalo Mountain. Invenergy develops, owns and operates clean energy facilities. Based in Chicago, they have offices in the United States, Canada, Poland and Scotland.

Windrock is the setting of an old coal mining camp. Coal mining began in the early twentieth century. The movie October Sky was filmed in the coal mining areas nearby. Native Americans hunted and camped around Oliver Springs. They stayed in the area because of the wildlife and natural mineral springs. It was believed that the springs could heal you. They were called "Tah-hah-lehaha", which means "healing waters" in Cherokee.

Windrock is also home to another very interesting adventure. The Coal Creek off road ATV trails are also located here. It offers over 70,000 acres of off roading adventures for the entire family to enjoy. Enjoy some of the best off-roading anywhere while sightseeing Windrock. The riding here is not only fun, but it is very remote, you may actually find yourself alone at times. That can be good, but if an accident does occur, you may not be found for weeks. Be sure to ride with a partner, and have the right gear for your ATV or motorcycle adventure. There are several different paths to ride on Windrock. From quick 7 mile loops (with a three mile descent), to 100 foot climbs, to along the mountain tops, to fairly flat trails. You can see a beautiful waterfall riding through Stony Flats.

How do you get to Windrock? It is just outside of Oliver Springs, Tennessee. It is just to the East near the junction of Highway 61 and highway 62. It can also be found by way of Highway 116 (otherwise known as the Devil's Triangle). The easiest way to get there is to head northward on Highway 61 until you almost reach the junction of it and Highway 62 (at Oliver Springs). Windrock road will be on the right just before the junction. Take Windrock road and follow it for about 2 to 3 miles and you will see the ATV check in station.

Did you know that Johnny Duncan was born in the Windrock coal mining camp? The hit record "Last Train to San Fernando" helped him become a British star. He did a version of "Kaw-Liga" by Hank Williams, but was not very successful. The Last Train To San Fernando, however ranked right up there with Diana by Paul Anka,  Buddy Holly's That’ll Be The Day, and True Love by Bing Crosby.

Enjoy the rugged and mountainous terrain of Windrock. The views are spectacular from these peaks! The strip mining that was done years ago have opened up beautiful views of the Tennessee valley. You can also see a good portion of the Cumberland mountains if you look to the north from Windrock.