State Parks & Natural Areas

With ten state natural areas, the South Central Tennessee Region is truly an escape to the outdoors.

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State Parks & Natural Areas

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee 38464, United States

Created By: South Central Tennessee Tourism Association

Tour Information

South Central Tennessee is home to five amazing and diverse state parks including David Crocket State Park in Lawrenceburg, Old Stone Fort State Park in Manchester, Tims Ford State Park in Winchester, Mousetail Landing State Park in Linden, and Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill.

The region is also home to several amazing state natural areas including Hawkins Cove in Sewanee, Natural Bridge in Sewanee, Walls of Jericho in Belvidere, Harry Lee Carter Natural Area in Sherwood, Short Springs in Tullahoma, May Prairie in Manchester, Duck River Complex in Maury County, Stillhouse Hollow Falls in Summertown, John Noel at Bon Aqua, Devils Backbone in Hohenwald, and Wells Hill Park in Fayetteville.


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David Crockett was a pioneer, soldier, politician, and industrialist. He was born near the little town of Limestone in northeast Tennessee in 1786. In 1817, he moved to Lawrence County and served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the ... Read more
Henry Horton State Park was constructed in the 1960s on the estate of the former governor of Tennessee, Henry Horton. The park is located on the shores of the historic Duck River, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Remnants of... Read more
This 1,247-acre area is located on the east banks of the Tennessee River. Tradition has it that Mousetail Landing received its name during the Civil War period when one of the area’s tanning companies caught fire. The exodus of mice fleei... Read more
The Old Stone Fort was built during the Middle Woodland Period, 1,500-2,000 years ago. Native Americans used this area continuously for about 500 years, eventually leaving it abandoned. By the time European settlers arrived, it was unclear ... Read more
Located on the Tims Ford Reservoir, the 3,546-acre Tims Ford State park sits in the shadows of the Cumberland Plateau in south-central Tennessee. The Tims Ford Lake is considered one of the most picturesque lakes in Tennessee and is regarde... Read more
Hawkins Cove is a 249-acre natural area located in Franklin County. It was originally acquired by The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee and then sold to the State to protect a population of Cumberland rosinweed (Silphium brachiatum). Cumberla... Read more
Natural Bridge is a three-acre natural area located in Franklin County. Natural Bridge is a 25 feet high natural sandstone arch with a span of 50 feet that provides a scenic overlook of Lost Cove. There is a wet weather spring associated wi... Read more
The Walls of Jericho is a 750-acre natural area that is within the 8,943-acre Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is contiguous to the Skyline WMA in Alabama. Both of the public lands on the Tennessee and Alabama side... Read more
The Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter Natural Area is a 931-acre natural area located in Franklin County that is part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area. Named after the couple who donated the land to the State, this natural area protects ... Read more
Short Springs is a 420-acre natural area located in Coffee County approximately three and a half miles northeast of Tullahoma. The natural area provides excellent contrast between the Highland Rim and Central Basin geology and vegetation. W... Read more
May Prairie is a 492-acre natural area in Coffee County near Manchester. The most impressive feature at May Prairie is the open grassland community that protrudes into the surrounding oak forest where the oak barrens begin. The open grassla... Read more
The Duck River Complex is a 2612-acre natural area complex in Maury County that consists of five natural areas within the 12,800-acre Yanahli Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It is managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency as a WMA.... Read more
Stillhouse Hollow Falls is a 90-acre state natural area located approximately 21 miles southwest of Columbia and three miles northeast of Summertown off Hwy US 43 in Maury County. The natural area is on the Western Highland Rim in the Duck ... Read more
John Noel at Bon Aqua State Natural Area is a 35-acre area located in Hickman County. It supports a small remnant forest that has old growth forest characteristics. The forest has a diversity of species including towering white oak trees wi... Read more
Devil's Backbone is a 950-acre natural area in Lewis County. Devil's Backbone offers a visitor the opportunity for a quiet hike adjacent the Natchez Trace Parkway. The trail follows the ridges of Tennessee's Highland Rim and drops down alon... Read more
Wells Hill Park is a 3.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Fayetteville, Tennessee that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips.
Site Directions:  From Columbia, take Hwy 43 to Hwy 20.  Follow Hwy 20 through Summertown and turn left on Hwy 240 (Turnpike Road).  Take Hwy 240 to Hwy 241 (Napier Road).  Turn right on Hwy 241.  Turn left on VFW Rd and stay straight... Read more
Site Directions: From Nashville, take I-24 east to Manchester exit 111 (Hwy 55).  Go north on Hwy 55 and take the first right (Ragsdale Road). Go 4.6 miles to the first of three access points via Ragsdale Rd. From Hwy 55, go 4.7 miles on... Read more
Site Directions: From Winchester, TN, travel west on Hwy 50 to Owl Hollow Rd.  Travel south on Owl Hollow Rd.  Turn right on Cole Lane to access the north area.  Continue south on Owl Hollow Rd and turn left on Mingo Rd, which travels a... Read more
Site Directions: From Winchester, head south on Hwy 16, up onto the plateau and through a small community to WMA signs. The WMA extends to the Alabama state line. Multiple access roads are available throughout the year for hiking and views... Read more
Site Directions: Owl Hollow Mill WMA is located in various areas around Tims Ford Reservoir. Access is primarily by boat but a few walk-in areas are located by traveling HWY 50 west from Winchester. One area is located on Fairview Rd and a... Read more

 

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