Land for Sale in Rhea County Tennessee

HUNTING: AGRICULTURE, WILDLIFE & CULTURAL APPEAL

Rolling terrain covers eastern Tennessee’s Rhea County, with pasture, cropland and woodlands shaping land use. Farmers raise cattle, goats, broilers, turkeys and grow vegetables, forage and fruit. Hunting draws anglers and outdoorsmen: black bear, wild turkey, sandhill crane, deer and more roam public WMA and refuge lands. Cultural roots run deep—Dayton hosted the landmark 1925 Scopes Trial—and the Watts Bar nuclear plant adds modern economic value to this rural landscape.

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Why Rhea County Tennessee Land Attracts Buyers

Land in Rhea County appeals to both practical and recreational buyers. Its farms produce vegetables, melons, and forage, while supporting cattle, goats, poultry, and equine operations. With over 46,000 acres in agriculture and a mix of cropland, pasture, and woodland, it’s suited for diversified land use. Buyers looking for manageable farm acreage or weekend retreats will find flexible tracts here. For hunters, public access to species like black bear, sandhill crane, and turkey—beyond the usual deer and small game—makes it stand out.

Rhea County TN Land Offers Hunting Access, River Frontage, and Mountain Terrain

This part of eastern Tennessee blends upland ridges, wooded hollows, and Tennessee River bottomlands. Public lands like the Chickamauga WMA, Laurel-Snow and Hiwassee Refuge support active wildlife conservation. Buyers get access to both wooded acreage and open farmland, with shoreline property along Chickamauga Lake drawing in sportsmen and cabin investors.
Tennessee River & Chickamauga Lake

The river and lake form the eastern edge of Rhea County. Shoreline tracts attract bass fishermen and recreational buyers. Several public ramps and outfitters support year-round access.

Wooded Ridges & Game Habitat

Mixed hardwoods and pines create excellent habitat for black bear, turkey, and deer. Public WMAs offer additional hunting opportunities close to private land boundaries.

Laurel-Snow Natural Area

Located west of Dayton, this area features waterfalls, hiking trails, and conserved wild land. It supports both outdoor recreation and biodiversity.

Vegetable Farms, Forage Acreage, and Livestock Land

Rhea County has diversified agricultural land types. Vegetable farms thrive on the river bottoms, while higher elevation pastures support goats, cattle, and equine uses. Poultry and turkey houses contribute to livestock sales. Cover crops and no-till methods are growing, and woodland sections are often used for hunting leases or silvopasture. Smaller average tract sizes make land more accessible for first-time buyers or niche producers.
Vegetable Farming
Vegetable & Row Crop Tracts

Rhea ranks among Tennessee's top counties for vegetable, melon, and root crop sales. Bottomland parcels near the river support irrigation and seasonal rotation. This land appeals to both market growers and food plot managers.

Livestock and Pasture
Livestock & Grazing Land

The county supports over 2,300 cattle and hundreds of goats and horses. Buyers find tracts with perimeter fencing, rotational pastures, and forage infrastructure. Many include a mix of pasture and wooded shelter.

Poultry Houses
Poultry and Turkey Operations

Poultry farms—including broiler and turkey operations—contribute to the county’s livestock income. Existing houses or permitted sites are viable investments. Utility access and proximity to Spring City or Dayton support logistics.

Rhea County Hunting Land: Turkey, Bear, and Sandhill Crane

Land buyers looking for more than just deer find real options in Rhea County. WMAs and natural areas support turkey, black bear, and seasonal sandhill crane hunts. The combination of ridge terrain, open fields, and public land borders boosts wildlife use. Buyers often seek tracts that allow both hunting access and recreational enjoyment close to Chickamauga Lake or Hiwassee Refuge.
Turkey
Turkey

Wild turkey are widespread in Rhea County. Ridge bottoms and clearings near the WMA see strong spring gobbler activity, especially around Laurel-Snow and Stringing Fork.

Black Bear
Black Bear

Seasonal bear hunting is legal in parts of Rhea County. Hardwood ridges near the Cumberland Plateau edge offer the best chances for sightings and harvests.

Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Crane

Hiwassee Refuge in the county hosts wintering sandhill cranes. Limited-permit crane hunts are a unique draw for waterfowl hunters near this managed wetland zone.

Fishing
Fishing

Chickamauga Lake draws bass anglers from across the country. Dayton hosts national tournaments, and year-round fishing supports both tourism and resident recreation.

Historic and Modern Land Value in Rhea County Tennessee

Rhea County blends deep-rooted history with forward-looking industry. Dayton’s legacy from the 1925 Scopes Trial shaped national science debates, while modern nuclear energy production at Watts Bar brings jobs and infrastructure to the region. Rural tracts within reach of Spring City or Evensville benefit from stable utility access, road connectivity, and proximity to recreational water. This blend of culture, energy, and natural beauty adds lasting land value.

Land for Sale in Nearby Tennessee Counties

Rhea County borders several other land-rich counties that offer timber tracts, pasture ground, and hunting land. Buyers often compare options across county lines when seeking acreage with similar topography and wildlife.
Meigs County

Known for rolling farmland and river access, Meigs offers smaller tracts suited to hobby farms or hunting use.

Bledsoe County

Timberland and wildlife are abundant in Bledsoe. Buyers seek its seclusion and mountain backdrop.

Roane County

Roane combines lakefront lots with commercial potential. Its proximity to Watts Bar expands buyer interest.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What game species can I hunt in Rhea County beyond deer and hogs?

You can hunt wild turkeys, black bear, and sandhill crane in places like Chickamauga WMA and Hiwassee Refuge. Turkeys offer a spring challenge, bears seasonally roam public woodlands, and sandhill cranes add a unique waterfowl hunt option within refuge zones

What row crops perform best in Rhea County?

Vegetable crops, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes bring in roughly $2.4 million in sales—ranking Rhea among top Tennessee counties in these categories USDA. Forage (hay) is also widespread, supporting livestock and equine operations.

Is poultry farming significant here?

Yes—broilers and turkeys are key operations. In 2017, farms included 328 broiler chickens and 114 turkeys run by female producers alone USDA. Across county farms, poultry contributes notably to that 69 % livestock & poultry sales share .

Are cover crops and conservation tillage common?

Yes: about 11 % of farms use cover crops; no‑till is practiced by 10 % of operations

Does Rhea County have ag‑based cultural history?

Dayton is remembered for the Scopes Trial of 1925, a pivotal clash over evolution. The county also hosts big‑water bass events on Chickamauga Lake, drawing regional attention

Is the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant nearby relevant to land buyers?

Yes. Watts Bar Units 1 & 2 lie on the Tennessee River near Spring City—providing stable energy jobs and economic base that supports rural property stability

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.

List your Tennessee land with Tutt Land and get the exposure, expertise, and energy your property deserves.

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Step into a career where wide-open spaces mean wide-open potential. As a land professional with Tutt Land Company, you’ll join a team that’s been buying and selling rural property across the Southeast for over 80+ years—specializing in timber tracts, hunting land, farms, and large acreage parcels.

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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