Oliver Springs offers peace, scenery and old-timey feel
Oliver Springs is a small town neighboring Oak Ridge, the city known for serving as one of the Manhattan Project’s contributing sites. Oliver Springs’ population includes researchers looking to be close to work, but away from larger city crowds. “For people typically settling in Oliver Springs, at least the people I’ve worked with, they typically work in Oak Ridge because we have the Oak Ridge National Lab here,” says Linda Erendson, a Realtor with Realty Executives Associates. Quiet hills and forests surround this town of over 3,000 people, providing scenery, privacy and recreation for many. “When you’re in Oliver Springs, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time,’ Erendson says. “It’s not cluttered with shopping centers. It really is more of that small town feel. There are churches sprinkled about. There are a few ATV trails. You’ll drive by and see a grandfather with a grandson in a small boat fishing on one of the creeks.”
Homes come with space in hilly, wooded neighborhoods
The town has some hilly neighborhoods, where patches of tall and mature trees surround many homes. Many roads have no sidewalks, while gravel driveways and lots are common. Prospective buyers may also get some extra room. Many lots in Oliver Springs run between half an acre and 1 acre, while the rural areas outside town limits offer more space. Houses across the Oliver Springs area include ranch-style homes, split-levels and bi-levels. The town also has some Colonial Revivals and Victorian-era homes. Not counting investment properties, most single-family homes under 1,800 square feet run roughly between $170,000 and $380,000. Larger homes mainly run between $400,000 and $460,000, while some may go for $700,000.
Town has park and popular off-roading, mountain biking site
Arrowhead Park offers a local spot for youth sports and casual recreation. Overlooked by a wooded hill, the park has a playground, a few baseball fields and basketball courts that allow full-court games. Off-roading is another popular activity in this part of the state, and the town is a destination for the hobby. Based in the area, Windrock Park has more than 300 miles of off-roading and mountain biking trails across 73,000 acres of rugged terrain and forest. The trails are divided into different difficulty levels, with the highest involving more natural obstacles like boulders. “I have a lot of buyers excited because they can ride their ATVs,” Erendson says.
Local dining includes Southern comfort foods and frozen treats
The town has a few laid-back, locally owned restaurants serving classic American breakfasts and Southern comfort foods. Options at Ma & Pa’s Kettle include cheeseburgers and country-fried steak topped in white gravy. Based out of an old garage, Devaney’s Eats and Treats serves barbecue and frozen desserts like banana splits and ice cream floats. The Garage Bar & Grill is popular for its pizza, chicken wings and beers. The bar also hosts live music and karaoke. Food City provides a local grocery store, but Oak Ridge has more shopping and dining options. About 5 miles southeast, Oak Ridge has a dense commercial corridor with chains like Walmart and Home Depot.
Student may attend schools in three East Tennessee districts
Students in Oliver Springs may attend one of three school districts due to the town’s location in three counties. Roanoke County School District and Anderson County Schools receive B-minus grades from Niche, while Morgan County School District gets a C. Schools in Oliver Springs include Norwood Elementary, which is part of the Anderson County district and has a C-plus grade. The town is also home to Oliver Springs middle and high schools. The middle school gets a B-plus, while the high school earns a B. Oliver Springs High’s athletic program includes a boys basketball team that won a district title in 2025. The game marked the team’s fourth-straight appearance in the district final.
October Sky Festival is a community celebration
Local events include the fall-themed October Sky Festival at Arrowhead Park. The festival gets its name from the 1999 film, “October Sky,” parts of which were shot in town. The event brings out many vendors selling items like holiday decorations, jewelry and wooden, handcrafted bowls. Children may also go on pony rides, visit a petting zoo and play in a bounce house.
Tennessee State Route 62 connects town to neighbors
Commuters have quick access to Tennessee State Route 62, which goes to neighboring Oak Ridge. The highway also provides part of the route to downtown Knoxville, about 30 miles east. Nearby Oak Ridge has the nearest hospital, the Methodist Medical Center. Oliver Springs is also 30 miles northwest of McGhee Tyson Airport, the region’s hub for commercial flights.
