Lone Mountain State Forest closed over coronavirus concerns

April 10, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. | Updated April 10, 2020 at 11:38 a.m.

by Associated Press

Mark Pace/Chattanooga Times Free Press — 08/06/19. A forested area in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area shows what the general area looked like before it was cleared. A prescribed burn on the property will take place in the Spring as groups work to restore Cumberland Plateau natural areas.
Mark Pace/Chattanooga Times Free Press — 08/06/19. A forested area in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area shows what the general area looked like before it was cleared. A prescribed burn on the property will take place in the Spring as groups work to restore Cumberland Plateau natural areas.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Lone Mountain State Forest was closed due to concerns about the coronavirus after personnel noticed an increase in visitors, Tennessee officials said.

Many visitors have been gathering in parking lots and trail heads and not following guidelines to maintain social distancing, the Department of Agriculture said in a news release Thursday. The Division of Forestry is within the Department of Agriculture.

Access points and trails will be closed to prevent groups from gathering in order to protect public health, the release said.

The 3,572-acre (1,446 hectare) forest is located on the Cumberland Plateau in Morgan County, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) west of Knoxville.

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