NASHVILLE – Tennesseans are encouraged to participate in several activities at Tennessee State Parks and Natural Areas in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6.
The Tennessee celebration coincides with the American Hiking Society’s annual National Trails Day, which began in 1993 and is the largest single-day trails and outdoor celebration in the country. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to get outside and participate in events at local, state and national parks, forests and other public lands from coast to coast.
In Tennessee, the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of State Natural Areas and several Tennessee State Parks are offering special activities including interpretative hikes, trail repair and trailblazing.
“Due to the extraordinary spirit of volunteerism throughout the state, a majority of our hiking trails at Tennessee State Parks and Natural areas are built and maintained with the help of volunteer labor,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “National Trails Day gives us an opportunity to honor those individuals who provide countless volunteer hours and who demonstrate their commitment to creating and maintaining the trails we enjoy.”
All events are scheduled for June 6 and all times are local. Participants should bring water and food, and they should wear long pants, appropriate footwear and gloves. While most tools will be provided, some projects will require volunteers to bring specific items.
Program descriptions and contact information for National Trails Day events in Tennessee involving Tennessee State Parks and Natural Areas include:
East Tennessee
Frozen Head State Park – Join park staff for both an interpretative hike and trail work at Frozen Head’s Volunteer Day. For more information, please contact the park at (423) 346-3318.
Carver’s Gap / Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area Hike – Lisa Huff with the Division of Natural Areas will lead an interpretive hike from Carver’s Gap and then along the Appalachian Trail to Yellow Mountain Gap. Participants will then hike down the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail into beautiful Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area. The hike coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail’s designation as the first National Scenic Trail under the National Trails System Act. Participants should meet at the Hampton Creek Cove’s parking lot at 9 a.m.
This will be a “shuttle hike” requiring cars to be left at the Hampton Creek Cove parking area and then shuttling hikers to the starting point at Carver’s Gap. At the hike’s conclusion, some will have to drive back to Carver’s Gap to pick up the shuttle cars. While this particular hike will be held rain or shine, participants are asked to be mindful that Roan Mountain’s weather is often unpredictable and to dress appropriately. Reservations are required for this hike so shuttle arrangements can be planned accordingly. Please contact Lisa Huff by June 3 at (865) 594-5601 or
lisa.huff@tn.gov.
Middle Tennessee
Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area – Stewardship Ecologist Forrest Evans will lead a trail-clearing effort at Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area near Murfreesboro. Additional activities on this three-mile trail will include trimming brush and trail renovation. Participants are asked to meet in the Target parking lot off of Bell Road (near Hickory Hollow) in Nashville at 9 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, the project will be canceled.
Reservations are required. Please contact Forrest Evans at (615) 532-0431 or
forrest.evans@tn.gov by June 5. The first 10 reservations can take advantage of van transportation provided by the Tennessee Natural Areas Program.
Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park – Join park rangers and staff for a rewarding morning of trail work, along with a guided hike on Bunkum Cave Trail at Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park in Byrdstown. Participants are asked to meet at the trailhead at 9 a.m. and tools will be provided. For more information about the hike, please call (931) 864-3247.
West Tennessee
Lucius E. Burch, Jr. State Natural Area – Stewardship Ecologist Allan Trently will lead trail maintenance activities at Lucius E. Burch, Jr. State Natural Area in Shelby County. Participants are asked to meet at Shelby Farms Park visitor’s center at 9:30 a.m. and to bring cutting shears or a small hand saw. In the event of inclement weather, the project will be canceled. Reservations are required. Please contact Allan Trently at (731) 512-1369 or
allan.trently@tn.gov by June 4.
Fort Pillow State Historic Park – Join Ft. Pillow staff at 8 a.m. for a five-mile interpretative hike along the Yellow Trail. Participants will travel along historic earthworks constructed by Confederate Soldiers in 1861 and learn about the battle that became known as the Ft. Pillow Massacre. For more information about the hike, please call (731) 738-5581.
Tennessee's 53 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free at 1-888-867-2757. For additional information, visit our Web site at
www.tnstateparks.com.
Tennessee also has 80 designated State Natural Areas throughout the state, covering approximately 116,000 acres of ecologically significant lands. More information about Tennessee’s Natural Areas Program, including a complete list of all natural areas and scheduled field trips, can be found at
http://tn.gov/environment/na/.
Since 1993, the American Hiking Society has set aside the first Saturday in June as National Trails Day, bringing together outdoor enthusiasts to participate in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail projects. It also provides an opportunity to recognize the many volunteers, land managing agencies and outdoor-minded businesses for their support in developing and maintaining trails.
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