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State parks offer variety of hikes to mark National Trails Day

A small falls and creek are seen at the newly dedicated Denny Cove addition to South Cumberland State Park on Friday, March 17, 2017, near Sequatchie, Tenn. The 685-acre addition is home to more than 150 rock climbing routes. A small falls and creek are seen at the newly dedicated Denny Cove addition to South Cumberland State Park on Friday, March 17, 2017, near Sequatchie, Tenn. The 685-acre addition is home to more than 150 rock climbing routes.

By Susan Pierce June 1, 2017 5 min read

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Happy Trails to you

8-year-old twins, Joshua (right) and Jacob (left) Schenk explore the shore area by one of Cloudland Canyon's waterfalls while taking a scenic break from hiking Wednesday. The Palm Beach Fla. residents travelled with their parents, Steve and Lisa, to the area for sights like this

A park ranger leads a hike at Cumberland Mountain State Park during a Junior Ranger Camp.

Tennessee’s 56 State Parks are hosting free guided hikes statewide on Saturday, March 18 to celebrate the coming of spring and the bounty of recreation opportunities state parks offer.

Park staff – who can speak to the natural, cultural and historical treasures that all Tennessee State Parks have to offer – will guide free hikes throughout the day. From the cypress swamps of the Mississippi River in West Tennessee to the rugged ridge tops and waterfalls in the middle of the state to the majestic mountains in the East, every park showcases a unique piece of Tennessee’s outdoor beauty.

People enjoy fishing as fall colors reflect in the water at Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville, Tn. Sunday afternoon.

The falls are seen at Fall Creek Falls State Park on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Spencer, Tenn. A plan to demolish the park's existing inn and replace it with a new facility that is privately run has apparently been renewed, and the process would take more than 2 years.

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.