The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s. Although the area was meagerly populated because of poor farming soil, the river provided a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers. Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Weather along the Cumberland Plateau is unpredictable, with each season bringing its own patterns: summers are generally hot and humid, with high temperatures sometimes eclipsing 90 degrees; winter low temperatures often dip below freezing; spring sees the greatest precipitation, though rainfall can occur in various amounts throughout the year.