Land for Sale in Tennessee

Land for Sale in Carter County, Tennessee

FARMLAND, WOODED ACREAGE, AND HUNTING LAND

Nestled in Tennessee’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Carter County features rolling Unaka ridges, high-elevation pastures, and fertile creek valleys ideal for farming and timber. Local agriculture spans livestock and poultry—over half of its farm sales—and expanding row crops supported by state cost-share programs. Outdoor life thrives, from turkey and deer hunts on Keith Springs Mountain to wildlife-watching opportunities along the Buffalo River. Rich Appalachian heritage and proximity to Roan Mountain give it a unique cultural character rooted in frontier history.

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Why Carter County Tennessee Land Attracts Buyers

Carter County sits in the Unaka Mountains, offering land with high elevation, natural springs, and heavily forested ridges. These features attract buyers looking for farmland, timber investment, and private recreation space. Many properties include mountain streams, buildable homesites, and wooded acreage suited for hunting or cabins. Tennessee’s lack of a state income tax and the region’s low property costs continue to draw new buyers seeking retirement, relocation, or second homes in peaceful, rural settings.

Land in Carter County supports cattle grazing, hay production, and poultry operations, with cost-share support from the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program. Rolling valley pastures transition into pine and hardwood stands, ideal for timber or wildlife management. Buyers also seek land for trout fishing or camping along the Watauga River and its tributaries. The surrounding Roan Mountain area draws outdoor recreation buyers interested in hiking, mountain biking, or long-range views with minimal development. With access to Cherokee National Forest and historic Elizabethton nearby, Carter County offers a strong mix of utility and retreat value for rural land buyers.

Mountain Terrain, Cool Springs, and River Valleys in Carter County TN

Land in Carter County features steep slopes, rocky ridgelines, and secluded hollows. The county lies entirely within the Unaka Mountain range, part of the Blue Ridge. Streams from Roan Mountain feed into the Watauga River and Buffalo Creek, creating deep valleys with fertile bottomland. This mix of terrain draws buyers looking for mountain homesites, off-grid potential, or habitat management tracts.
Unaka Mountains

The Unaka Mountains define Carter County’s eastern edge, with elevations reaching 6,285 feet at Roan Mountain. Dense forests and remote slopes offer privacy and natural beauty.

Watauga River System

Watauga River and its tributaries cut through the county, providing trout waters and fertile banks. Several properties include creek frontage or access to tailwater fisheries.

Spring-Fed Hollows

Natural springs and wet-weather creeks run through sheltered hollows. These low-lying pockets support grazing, wildlife, and cool-season crops on smaller acreage.

Livestock, Row Crops, and Poultry Investment Land in Carter County

Carter County supports a mix of livestock and crop farms. While the terrain favors pasture and hay production, small row crop operations thrive in the creek bottoms. TAEP programs help fund improvements like fencing, wells, barns, and feed storage. Many tracts combine tillable fields with wooded acreage, giving buyers flexibility for hobby farms, grazing leases, or USDA-supported agriculture.
Carter County livestock farm
Livestock & Hay Ground

Cattle farming continues across Carter County, with rolling pastures and grassland fields ideal for hay. Elevation changes allow for seasonal rotation and good water access from springs or ponds. TAEP support helps fund equipment, barn upgrades, and fencing. Small ruminants like goats also do well on steeper land.

Row crop fields in Carter County
Row Crop Potential

Valley fields and floodplains near Buffalo Creek and the Watauga River grow corn, silage, and sweet corn. Some farmers rotate with soybeans or vegetables depending on slope and irrigation. These sites may qualify for NRCS or USDA improvement grants, especially for soil conservation or cover crop trials.

Poultry infrastructure Carter County
Poultry Operations

Poultry and egg production contribute heavily to farm sales in Carter County. Existing poultry house sites with utility access are often available, and TAEP matching helps fund upgrades like ventilation, litter storage, and water systems. Smaller acreage is viable for backyard meat birds or niche egg markets.

Mountain Game and Trout Fishing in Carter County Tennessee

Wildlife in Carter County ranges from big game on the ridges to rare species in the coves. The Keith Springs Wildlife Area provides over 14,000 acres of public hunting access, with good populations of whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear. The county also hosts upland species like grouse and dove. Watauga River supports year-round trout fishing, especially in the tailwaters below Wilbur Dam.
Turkey hunting Carter County
Wild Turkey

Spring gobblers are a top draw in Carter County. The steep hardwood ridges around Keith Springs WMA hold longbeards with minimal pressure and lots of cover.

Black bear in Unaka Mountains
Black Bear

Bears inhabit the more remote slopes of the Unaka Mountains. Fall hunting is legal in some zones, with sightings rising in recent years due to expanding range.

Ruffed grouse habitat
Ruffed Grouse

Thick young forests and ridge clearcuts support small populations of grouse. TWRA habitat efforts are restoring coverts in the higher elevations for upland hunters.

Trout fishing in Watauga River
Watauga Trout

The Watauga River tailwaters produce rainbow and brown trout, especially below Wilbur Dam. Public access points make it a reliable option year-round.

Frontier Heritage and Mountain Communities of Carter County

Carter County was part of the Watauga Settlement, one of the first independent frontier communities west of the Appalachians. That legacy lives on in its family farms, small mountain churches, and historic downtowns like Elizabethton. The county’s terrain has helped preserve this rural culture, with few large subdivisions or commercial farms. Buyers here often value self-sufficiency, community ties, and traditional land use. From fiddle music festivals to heirloom corn milling, Carter County’s cultural roots offer more than scenery—they shape the way people live and work the land.

Buy Land Near Carter County in Northeast Tennessee

If you're looking at Carter County, you might also consider land in neighboring mountain counties with similar terrain, farming potential, and hunting access. Each offers its own mix of elevation, timber, and outdoor appeal.
Unicoi County

Unicoi County offers forested mountain land near the Appalachian Trail. Buyers find remote timber tracts, trout streams, and private hunting acreage.

Land for Sale in Unicoi County, TN
Johnson County

Johnson County shares Carter’s high elevations and rural isolation. Many tracts offer views, pastureland, and proximity to Cherokee National Forest.

Land for Sale in Johnson County, TN
Washington County

Washington County offers a more accessible mix of farmland and wooded tracts, with proximity to Johnson City and strong ag support programs.

Land for Sale in Washington County, TN

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What can you fish for in Carter County, TN?

You can catch trout, bass, and walleye in Carter County. The Watauga River is known for its rainbow and brown trout, especially near Wilbur Dam. Smallmouth bass and walleye also thrive in the tailwaters, giving anglers year-round opportunities.

What are some rare species found in Carter County?

The Buffalo River watershed and mountain coves host some rare wildlife. These include the alligator snapping turtle, saddled madtom, and multiple rare cavefish species. Botanically, the region is home to 18 state-listed rare plant species due to its high biodiversity.

What crops grow best in Carter County’s terrain?

Cool-season grasses, corn silage, hay, and forage crops do well in the county’s ridges and hollows. Farmers also raise sweet corn and vegetable crops in the valley bottoms. The mix of elevation and rainfall supports diversified small-scale farming.

Is Carter County a good place for poultry farming?

Yes. Livestock and poultry account for over half of Carter County’s agricultural sales. Many farms use TAEP grants for poultry house upgrades and equipment. Smaller scale operations also raise backyard flocks for eggs or meat.

Are there waterfowl or upland bird hunting opportunities?

Yes. The area supports seasonal dove and woodcock hunts, particularly along bottomland edges and open pastures. Quail habitat is more limited but improving with native grass restoration projects promoted by TWRA.

What kinds of outdoor buyers are most attracted to this area?

Buyers looking for secluded mountain land with hunting access or trout stream frontage tend to focus on Carter County. It also draws interest from those wanting small farms or homesteads with forested backdrops near Roan Mountain or the Cherokee National Forest.

Explore Land Opportunities in Nearby Counties

Tutt Land Company offers a wide range of properties in neighboring counties. Whether you're interested in hunting land, timber tracts, or rural homesites, our extensive portfolio has something to suit your needs. Explore our current listings in nearby counties to find the perfect property for you.

Sell Your Land in Tennessee? Let Tutt Land Do the Heavy Lifting

Whether you're selling pastureland in Bedford County, timber acreage in Wayne, a poultry farm in Giles, or hunting property in Hardeman—Tutt Land Company has you covered. With 80+ years of experience buying, managing, and marketing rural land across Tennessee, we specialize in turning local properties into statewide opportunities.

We showcase your land across high-traffic platforms—from YouTube and social media to print advertising and top national land listing networks. Our marketing strategy targets qualified buyers searching for everything from mini farms and investment tracts to equestrian estates and raw acreage.

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Whether you're helping a landowner sell a legacy farm in Giles County or guiding a buyer to their first hunting property in Hardeman, you’ll have the backing of an experienced team, industry-best marketing, and a trusted name in land sales.

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