Hampton, TN
About Doe River Gorge Camp
Railroad equipment and operations on the site of the historic E TN and Western North Carolina Railroad track section in the Doe River Gorge
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Hampton, TN
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ 306 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Doe River Gorge Camp. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Accessibility
- Accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: ClosedSunday: Closed
Find the Depot
History
See full history
Doe River Gorge is a Christian retreat and summer camp on the southern outskirts of Hampton, Tennessee, with a railroad pedigree few camps can claim: its three-foot-gauge line is laid on a segment of the former East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad roadbed. The ET&WNC — affectionately nicknamed 'Tweetsie' for the sound of its steam whistles — was chartered in 1866 to serve the mines at Cranberry, North Carolina; the initial mountain segment from Johnson City through Elizabethton to Hampton was completed on August 22, 1881, with the extension to Cranberry opening the following summer. Mountain residents dubbed it the 'Railway with a Heart,' and its tickets were validated with a heart-shaped punch. The narrow gauge portion was abandoned in 1950, but in the gorge — the narrow valley between Cedar Mountain and Fork Mountain where the Doe River emerges just southeast of Hampton — the camp keeps a stretch of the historic right-of-way in use.
Around the Depot
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Hampton
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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