Enjoy our Good Nature throughout February

Reelfoot Lake hosts Eagle Tours from Feb. 1– Feb. 26
(WEST) Reelfoot Lake has one of the largest wintering populations of Bald Eagles outside of Alaska, and the return of the eagles is a major event. The park has established extensive guide and information programs for winter visitors to Reelfoot Lake. The tour is a two-hour bus trip around Reelfoot Lake to observe the Bald Eagles and waterfowl. Tours are offered seven days a week. Buses leave the Visitor Center at 10 a.m. daily and 1:30 p.m. CT on weekends. Reservations are required. There is a minimal charge for the tour. Tour guides equipped with binoculars, telescopes and most important, extensive knowledge of the eagles, rarely have difficulty locating the birds. In addition to providing information about the eagles, the guides also provide information about Reelfoot Lake and other waterfowl. For reservations or more information call the visitor center at 731-253-9652.

Reefoot Lake hosts 8^th annual Eagle Festival on Feb. 3-5
(WEST) This family-friendly Eagle Festival celebrates these majestic birds with a variety of activities. Guided bus and van tours will be offered twice a day a rate of $5 per person to view the eagles nesting, soaring and possibly locking talons in courtship. Saturday night will feature a live birds of prey program with John Stokes from S.O.A.R. Additional activities include an art and photography contest, storytelling, silent auction, arts & craft vendors and other displays. For more information call 731-253-9652.

Fort Loudoun hosts The Mysterious Lost State of Franklin on Feb. 4
(EAST) Join filmmakers Chris Albrecht and Danny "Buck" Kahler for a special screening of the PBS documentary The Mysterious Lost State of Franklin. The screening will be followed by behinds the scenes glimpse of the making of the film. Ample time will be provided for question and answers. The screening will be at the Fort Loudoun Visitor Center at 2 p.m. ET. For more information call 423-884-6217.

Red Clay hosts Trail of Tears 7 Miler on Feb. 4
(PLATEAU) The 19^th race in the TN State Parks Running Tour, this course features some minor rolling hills to the finish. Considered an interesting course with one major hill and lots of frogs and cows along the way. Sponsored by the Caret Capital Running club. For more information contact Matt Davies at 423-715-9736 or mdavies@grace-point.com.

Pickwick Landing hosts Race to the Landing 6 Mile Run on Feb. 4
(WEST) The 18^th Race in the TN State Parks Running Tour. For more information contact Michael D’Orio with the Jackson Roadrunners. Michaeldorio@hotmail.com or 731-607-5679. 

David Crockett hosts Early Birds Get the Worms on Feb. 4
(MIDDLE) A segment of David Crockett's “Celebrating 75 Years with 75 Events” Program. Come to the Park Restaurant at 8 a.m. CT for an early morning birding program! Enjoy the warmth of inside while we watch the busy activity of some of our neatest critters. The restaurant will be serving breakfast so come enjoy their good cooking during the program! Breakfast is $6.25 plus tax, and they serve every Saturday and Sunday 7:30- 10 a.m. CT. E-mail rachel.bridges@tn.gov or call 931-762-9408 for more information.

Harpeth River hosts History of Pattison Forg/Narrows of the Harpeth Hike on Feb. 5
(MIDDLE) Enjoy a moderate 1 mile hike through the Narrows of the Harpeth. Includes a brief history of Montgomery Bell’s tunnel and iron forge. Max 15 people. Cancelled if rain. We will meet at 10 a.m. CT. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.

Harpeth River hosts Mound Bottom Hike on Feb. 5
(MIDDLE) Join us at 1 p.m. for a ranger led hike to view the Mississippian Period Indian Mound Complex known as Mound Bottom. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Reservations are required. Max 15 people. Canceled if rain. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.

Dunbar Cave hosts Sunset to Moonrise Hike on Feb. 7
Ages 6 and older are invited to join us for a Sunset to Moonrise Hike. Reservations are required. Please RSVP before 4:30 CT on Feb. 6.  Cancelled in event of overcast, rainy or snowy conditions. For more information call 931-648-5526. 

Fort Loudoun hosts Daniel Boone: American Hero on Feb. 11
(EAST) Join Steven Caudill as he brings Daniel Boone back to life in this first person historical interpretation. The program will take place at 2 p.m. ET in the Fort Loudoun visitor center. For more information call 423-884-6217.

Roan Mountain hosts Winter Naturalist’s Rally on Feb. 11
(EAST) A winter celebration of the Roan Highlands; their grassy balds, scenic trails, trees, shrubs, and geology. Led by the Friends of Roan Mountain. Programs include speakers on the historical landscape of the Roan, the current forest, and opportunities to volunteer for stewardship. Also, volunteers are needed to sign up for a garlic mustard (pull time to be decided) on the Roan and in the park this spring. We’ll be signing folks up at this Winter Naturalist’s Rally, so be sure to come, sign up, and also enjoy all the other great presentations! Reservations required: Contact David Hall, 423 772-3500, dhall@friendsofroanmtn.org.

Cedars of Lebanon hosts Cedars Frostbite Half-Marathon on Feb. 11
(MIDDLE) The 20^th race in the TN State Parks Running Tour. For more information contact Lynda de Paulis with the Frostbite Running Club at 615-889-1306 or lntdp@earthlink.net.

Harpeth River hosts History of Hidden Lake on Feb. 12
(MIDDLE) Join us at 10 a.m. CT to hike a 2-mile moderate loop trail through a wooded area along bluffs and lakes featuring points of interest from the quarry and resort eras. Max 15 people. Cancelled if rain. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.

Harpeth River hosts Mound Bottom Mississippian Culture on Feb. 12
(MIDDLE) Join us at 1 p.m. CT for a ranger led hike to view the Mississippian Period Indian Mound Complex known as Mound Bottom. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Reservations are required. Max 15 people. Canceled if rain. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.

Valentine's Day Dinner and Packages on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14
Plan a dinner for 2 or the whole family at one of our eight State Park restaurants. To complete the night with your sweetheart, check out a variety of special room packages at our Inns. Click here for more information.

Hill Forest SNA hosts Winter Hike on Feb. 18
(MIDDLE) Come enjoy a winter afternoon hike through the Hill Forest Designated State Natural Area. This 2.5 mile hike will give you a view of big trees in winter and an appreciation for the rolling hills, ridges and hollows which outlines the natural areas topography. The hike will take approximately 3 hours. Bring water, wear sturdy walking gear, and dress for the weather. We will meet at 9 a.m. CT. Brian Bowen, Tennessee Natural Areas Program, Julia Landstreet, Friends of Warner Parks are the hike leaders. Sponsors: TN Resource Management Division, Friends of Warner Parks, & Warner Parks. Reservations required: call Warner Park Nature Center at 615-352-6299 or email wpnc@nashville.gov. Meeting location information will be provided at this time.

Cumberland Mountain hosts CCC Hike on Feb. 18
(PLATEAU) Meet at the park office at 1 p.m. CT. We will hike along Byrd Creek, a trail built by the CCC. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for appropriate weather and bring water. For more information call 931-484-6138.

Johnsonville hosts Johnsonville Charge 5 Miles on Feb. 18
(WEST) The 21^st course in the TN State Parks Running Tour, this course is considered flat, fast and deemed to be the easiest of all courses on the Running Tour. For more information contact Michaelee Bowes with the TN Valley Road Runners at 931-209-0736 or mbowes575@yahoo.com.

David Crockett hosts Night Owls on Feb. 18
(MIDDLE) A segment of David Crockett's “Celebrating 75 Years with 75 Events” Program.  Join Ranger Rachel at 6 p.m. CT for some exploring in the dark! Take a short night hike to enjoy to woods in winter. Dress warm and don't forget a flashlight! Meet at the Shelter 2. For more information e-mail rachel.bridges@tn.gov or call 931-762-9408.

Fort Loudoun  hosts Sons of Demere on Feb. 18
(EAST) Patrick Demere, direct descendant of Raymond Demere the original commandant of Fort Loudoun in 1756 will be hand to speak on the Demere lineage. Specific attention will be paid to the Demere family that went to serve in the American war of Independence. The program will take place at 2 p.m. ET in the Fort Loudoun visitor’s center.

Sycamore Shoals hosts Militia Muster on Feb. 18 & 19
(EAST) Sat., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sun., 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET. Visit Fort Watauga and step into a colorful Revolutionary world. Re-enactors portray a variety of characters, from hunters and farmers to land speculators and backcountry gentry. Walk among colonists and native peoples who share their past through talks, mini-dramas, and demonstrations of 18th century life. Contact the park for detailed schedule at 423-543-5808.

Harpeth River hosts Pattison Forge History on Feb. 19
(MIDDLE) Enjoy a moderate 1-mile hike through the Narrows of the Harpeth. We will meet at 10 a.m. CT and hike includes a brief history of Montgomery Bell’s tunnel and iron forge. Max 15 people. Cancelled if rain. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.

Harpeth Riverhosts Hike into Mound Bottom on Feb. 19
(MIDDLE) Join us at 1 p.m. CT for a ranger led hike to view the Mississippian Period Indian Mound Complex known as Mound Bottom. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Reservations are required. Max 15 people. Canceled if rain. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.

Fort Loudoun hosts Archeology of Fort Loudoun on Feb. 25
(EAST) Archeologist Carl Kutruff will be on hand to speak about the third and final archeological investigation of the Fort Loudoun site. His presentation will include multiple photographs of the excavation. The program will commence at 2 p.m. ET at the Fort Loudoun Visitor Center. For more information call 423-884-6217.

Short Springs SNA hosts Exotic Adventure on Feb. 25
(MIDDLE) Join our State Parks Natural Areas staff for a morning of volunteer stewardship (9 a.m. - noon CT) at Short Springs State Natural Area near Tullahoma. We need your help to remove invasive exotic plants near the trailhead of the natural area! Eradication of privet, bush honeysuckle, and English ivy will help to prevent it from entering the pristine natural area that supports two state-listed endangered plant species: Nestronia (Nestronia umbellula) and broad-leaved bunchflower (Melanthium latifolium). After the plant pull, participants will have the opportunity to hike down to the popular Machine Falls. Wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and bring your favorite work gloves for this invigorating Saturday morning of volunteering. Thank you for your support! Leader: Robin Wooten, Tennessee Natural Areas Program. Reservations are required; contact Robin at 615-532-4799 or Robin.Wooten@tn.gov.

David Crockett hosts Transportation & Succession Hike on Feb. 25
(MIDDLE) Meet at the restaurant parking lot at 1 p.m. CT. This hike explores the back country section of the park, traveling through areas used for the Trail of Tears, farmland, and different stages of succession climax in our forest. Hike will be moderate to difficult with several hills, and approximately 2.5 to 3 miles in length. Bad weather date: February 26 at 2 p.m. CT. For more information e-mail rachel.bridges@tn.gov or call 931-762-9408.

Radnor Lake hosts Waterfowl Identification on Feb. 26
(MIDDLE) Join our State Parks Natural Areas staff & Radnor Lake staff for an informal viewing of overwintering waterfowl at Radnor Lake, Tennessee’s first natural area from 1 - 4 p.m. CT. Radnor Lake is a popular spot for migratory waterfowl and a variety of other wildlife. Through spotting scopes visitors will possibly see Bufflehead, Canvasbacks, Lesser Scaup, American Coots, and other waterfowl. Radnor Lake staff also hosts ongoing viewing opportunities during the winter months, for more information about those programs, please contact the park office at 615-373-3467.

Harpeth River hosts Hike and History of Hidden Lake on Feb. 26
(MIDDLE) Hike a 2-mile moderate loop trail through a wooded area along bluffs and lakes featuring points of interest from the quarry and resort eras. Max 15 people. Hike will begin at 10 a.m. CT. Cancelled if rain. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.

Harpeth River hosts Mound Bottom on Feb. 26
(MIDDLE) Join us at 1 p.m. CT for a ranger led hike to view the Mississippian Period Indian Mound Complex known as Mound Bottom. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Reservations are required. Max 15 people. Canceled if rain. Please call Harpeth River State Park for reservations at 615-952-2099.