Sampson Mountain itself rises to 4,060 feet, the highest point in the Sampson Mountain Wilderness, an area of steep and open ridges rising to scenic vistas and shadowing secluded hollows drained by five clear, swift, rock-bottomed streams that plunge over several waterfalls, some of them dramatic cascades. Buckeye Falls falls for 475 feet, reputedly a greater height than any other waterfall in the eastern United States. A heavy forest cover of pine and hardwoods includes 536 acres of old growth that has been standing for more than 100 years. Wildflowers proliferate, and flowering shrubs include laurel, rhododendron, flame azalea and blueberry. Trout fishing may be excellent in the streams, and other wildlife is abundant including black bears who live here in greater numbers than anywhere else north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Several trails crawl faintly up creek valleys to gradually fade away altogether.
Confusing old road beds suddenly appear and disappear, leading nowhere. None of the trails are well maintained. Squibb Creek Trail, in the extreme western section, travels for 2.2 miles up Squibb Creek to a picturesque waterfall where the path reaches a dead end. This could be your best opportunity to wander in solitude in a Tennessee Wilderness. Park your car here and continue up the road which narrows to Cassi Creek Trail.