Chimneys Class I Scenic-Recreational State Natural Area

Chimneys 6-07 02

The Chimneys is a 33-acre natural area located in Marion County. It is located in what is commonly referred to as the Pocket Wilderness where Pocket Creek cuts through Cumberland Plateau sandstone forming Pocket Gorge. Pocket Creek has sculpted the impressive features known as the Chimneys over vast geological time. The Chimneys are two isolated, 200-feet high, towering pinnacles of Pennsylvanian Warren Point sandstone connected to a central base. A natural window forms at the base. The pinnacles and natural bridge rise from the gorge floor and are nearly as high as the surrounding bluff. The natural area is adjacent to the Chimneys Scenic Park. It was designated as a state natural area in 1999, the same year it was donated to the State by U.S. Steel Corporation, a subsidiary of Marathon Ashland Petroleum, LLC.

A dry, oak-pine woodland surrounds the Chimneys on the surrounding bluffs. Chestnut oak and Virginia pine are common to this area. Maple-leaf viburnum and sweet-shrub are also often found in areas like this. Small pockets of glade and barrens vegetation can be found in a few areas with shallow soil on dry upper bluffs. There is an old growth hemlock forest in the gorge comprised of densely forested hemlock, chestnut oak, magnolia or cucumber tree, and striped maple. A thicket of rosebay rhododendron grows along the creek, making passage to the base of the Chimneys challenging. There are numerous ferns and mosses covering sandstone talus boulders at the base of the steep slopes. Some of the steepest slopes are wet seep cliffs that support a diversity of mosses, liverworts, and other plants not found elsewhere on the site.

Site Management

Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431, Chimneys Scenic Park Association 6191 Pocket Rd., Whitwell, TN 37397 and Marion County Government PO 46, Jasper, TN 37347 are cooperators.

Public Access

Open to the Public - Limited Access. Maintained by the Chimneys Scenic Park Association, this natural area provides parking and an overlook of the gorge. There is a short overlook trail, but no developed trails in the gorge.

Parking: Yes
Trail: No
Dogs on Leash: Yes
Hunting: No
Fishing: No
Camping: No

Directions

The Chimneys Scenic Park is accessible via Highway 108 between Whitwell and Palmer. Turn on Pocket Road and proceed for about 3.5 miles. The entrance to the park is on the left just before a church on Chimney Park Rd.

Details & Map

  • Map to Chimneys
  • Owned by the State of Tennessee
  • Whitwell 7.5-minute quadrangle
  • Cumberland Plateau Physiographic Province
  • Designated in 1999