Cardwell Mountain State Archaeological Park

On May 8, 2026 Tennessee State Parks dedicated the new Cardwell Mountain State Archaeological Park, preserving more than 5,000 years of Tennessee history. Cardwell Mountain is a landmark in McMinnville and Warren County where the Eastern Highland Rim meets the Cumberland Plateau. The geology of this region is visible in many places on the mountain, featuring vast limestone outcrops on its lower slopes and tall sandstone features on its higher elevations. The park also neighbors Cumberland Caverns, one of the longest cave systems in the nation and recognized as a National Natural Landmark. Cumberland Caverns is privately owned and operated.

The 534-acre property includes evidence of Native American life and settlements spanning the Archaic through Mississippian periods. The most prominent cultural feature that remains visible today is an earthen monument built by Native Americans approximately 1,000 years ago. It is located in an open meadow below the mountain and today stands at about 15 feet tall. 

In 1828, the Cardwell family settled in Warren County, establishing a homestead on the mountain, where they lived and farmed for 150 years. In the late 19th century, they established tree orchards, growing many varieties of fruit trees, especially apples. A few of the last generation of apple trees to be grown on the property remain standing. The park has plans to plant saplings in the meadow below the mountain to maintain a small portion of the Cardwell orchards. 

The park will include a visitor center with educational exhibits and trails that allow visitors to learn about the archaeology and history of this part of the state. The park is not open to the public during the upcoming construction phase. Park staff, along with the Division of Archaeology in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, are carefully working to help protect this irreplaceable archaeological site. The park will be fully open when all staff, trails, and facilities are in place. For information, please see the State Park page: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/cardwell-mountain 

This milestone for Tennessee State Parks was made possible with support from TennGreen, The Conservation Fund, and The Nature Conservancy.