Tennessee State Parks are offering a variety of ranger-led day hikes, scenic hikes, history hikes and trail clean-ups on Saturday, June 3, in celebration of National Trails Day.
The American Hiking Society designated the first Saturday in June as National Trails Day 24 years ago. With more than 1,000 miles of trails, Tennessee parks have a variety of scenic areas in which to get out and enjoy summer.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
* Blazing Trails: Harrison Bay State Park, 8411 Harrison Bay Road, 9-11 a.m., free, meet at Bay Point Loop trailhead located at the marina parking lot for hike. 423-344-6214.
* Blue Springs Trail Hike: Red Clay State Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road, Cleveland, Tenn., 10 a.m., free, easy mile-long hike suitable for children and adults to small creek that runs from the Blue Hole and was sacred to Cherokee. 423-478-0339.
* Cumberland Trail Construction: Rock Creek Trailhead, Lower Leggett Road in Sale Creek, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., free. Lean how a hiking trail gets built and be part of creating the Cumberland Trail; tools provided by Cumberland Trails Conference. 931-456-6259.
* Denny Cove Trail Building: South Cumberland State Park, 11745 Highway 41, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CST, free, meet at Denny Cove parking lot to help build new trail. Bring lunch and water, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes; all tools supplied. 931-924-2980.
* Hike to Gee Creek Falls: Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park, 404 Spring Creek Road, Delano, Tenn., 3-5 p.m., free, meet at park office for mile-long moderate hike, includes exploring remnants of old mining community, swimming in pool beneath waterfall. Bring good hiking shoes, water and something to swim in. 423-263-0050.
* Hike the Can't Hardly Trail: Cloudland Canyon State Park, 1221 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga., 9-11 a.m., $5 parking, meet at Ascalon trailhead parking lot to hike moderately-strenuous 3-mile scenic trail. 706-657-4050.
* Meadow Loop Trail: Fort Loudoun State Historic Park, 338 Fort Loudoun Road, Vonore, Tenn., meet at Meadow Loop trailhead, 8:30 a.m., free, easy-to-moderate hike of loop and Lost Shoe trails. Bring water. 423-884-6217.
* Pioneer Short Loop Trail: Cumberland Mountain State Park, 24 Office Drive, Crossville, Tenn., 10 a.m., free, meet at boat dock parking lot for 2-mile hike. Bring water and snacks for trail, wear hiking boots or sturdy athletic shoes. 931-484-6138.
* Possum Creek Trail Repair Party: Cumberland Trail State Park, 220 Park Road, Caryville, Tenn., meet at Heiss Mountain Road trailhead, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., free, not suitable for small children. Join staff in repairing trail damage from recent storms along 1.5 miles of trail then cool off with a swim in creek afterward. Tools provided, wear closed-toe shoes, bring gloves, water and sack lunch. 423-566-2229.
* Sunrise Hike: Booker T. Washington State Park, 5801 Champion Road, 7-10 a.m., free, join ranger for sunrise hike with light trail maintenance. 423-634-7405.
* Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point: Cloudland Canyon State Park, 1221 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga., 9 p.m., $5 parking, meet at West Rim Access parking lot for 45-minute hike to overlook. 706-657-4050.
* Trail Building: Fall Creek Falls State Park, 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, Tenn., 9 a.m., free, meet at nature center to learn a few trail-building basics, then group will move rocks and work to finish rerouting of one of park's heavily used trails. 423-881-3297.
- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce
National Trails Day at Chickamauga Battlefield
In observance of National Trails Day, events will also be held Saturday at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.› Artillery Programs: Chickamauga Battlefield near Tour Stop 3, along Poe Road, follow Special Event signs, free. Artillery demonstrations at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. 706-866-9241.› Panel Discussion and Battlefield Tour: Meet at Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, for panel discussion at 11 a.m., followed by two-hour car caravan tour at 1 p.m.Panelists Dr. Earl Hess, Robert Carter and David A. Powell will present their views on the leadership of Gen. Braxton Bragg, one of the most disparaged generals in American history. The car tour will follow Bragg’s movement at Chickamauga.All three panelists will sign their books from 10 to 11 a.m. and later that afternoon at the Visitor Center. 706-866-9241.› Trail Maintenance: Meet at Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., 8 a.m.-noon. Wear long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, all tools provided. Reservations required: 423-752-5213, ext. 137.
State Park Pools Open
The Olympic-size pools at Harrison Bay State Park and Booker T. Washington State Park opened May 27 for the summer season.› Harrison Bay: Admission is $5 per person, $2.50 for campground guests. Children ages 2 and younger are free with an adult admission. Pool passes are available for $80 for 40 visits.Pool hours are 11 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; closed Mondays and Tuesdays unless it is a holiday. The pool will close after Labor Day weekend.› Booker T. Washington: Admission is $5 per person and overnight guests swimming as a group pay $2.50 each. Season passes are $80 for 40 visits.Hours of operation are 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.