The Cumberland Plateau rises to an altitude of roughly 2000 feet between Nashville and Knoxville. It is large and thinly populated, but a steady stream of new residents attracted to the mild climate is changing the demographics. There is an abundance of very large parks, recreational areas, and resorts. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hiking (one long and skinny state park is devoted to hiking), golf, fishing, swimming, boating, hunting, and exploring.