Cumberland Mountain State Park Announces Upcoming Events

Byrd Creek Trail Run May 4; Registration Now Open for Junior Ranger Camps in June

CROSSVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland Mountain State Park announced today its annual Byrd Creek Trail Run will be held May 4.  As part of Tennessee State Parks’ Junior Ranger Program, the park will also offer a series of Junior Ranger camps in June.

Byrd Creek Trail Run

On Saturday, May 4, Cumberland Mountain will join the Tennessee Park Ranger Association for the Fourth Annual Byrd Creek Trail Run. The run includes a 15K (9.3 miles), a 3.6-mile run and a 1.8-mile Fun Run. The 15K trail run/walk meanders along Byrd Creek and throughout the wooded forests of the park. The 3.6-mile trail walk/run is tailored for those who like a challenge and the 1.8-mile Fun Run/Walk is suited for those who prefer shorter distances.

The pre-registration deadline for each run is April 30. Registration is available the day of the event from 6:30 until 7:15 a.m. Runners may register at the park or online at www.ultrasignup.com. The entry fees for the 15K and 3.6-mile runs are $25 for pre-registration and $30 on the day of the event. Pre-registration for the Fun Run is $10 and $15 on the day of the event. All runners who pre-register will receive a T-shirt. The 15K and 3.6-mile runs begin at 7:30 a.m. and the Fun Run begins at 8 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow the event at 9 a.m.

All proceeds from the Byrd Creek Trail Run will benefit a ranger scholarship fund and one of the upcoming Junior Ranger camps. For more information, contact monica.johnson@tn.gov or 931-484-6138.

Junior Ranger Camps

The Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park and staff also will host an “Overnight” Junior Ranger Camp June 7-8 for ages 13-15. The camp begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 7, and ends at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. During the camp, Junior Rangers will learn about nature and the environment, along with the fundamentals of camping and rock climbing. Activities will include Camping 101, Leave No Trace, Rock Climbing 101, hiking and a service project. The fee is $30 per child, which includes a T-shirt, badge and certificate. Lunch and dinner will be provided on Friday, along with breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Campers should bring their own equipment. Space is limited to the first 10 applicants.

On June 10-14, a Junior Ranger Day Camp will be held at the park for ages 8-12. The camp begins each morning at 8:30 a.m. and ends at noon. On Friday, camp begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m.  During the camp, Junior Rangers will learn about nature and the environment through activities such as canoe trips, a Birds of Prey program, astronomy, hikes and a service project. The fee is $25 and includes a T-shirt, badge, certificate and dinner on Friday night. Space is limited to the first 30 applicants.

A “Junior” Junior Ranger Day Camp will be held June 17-19 for ages 5-7, with similar activities.  The fee is $25 per child and includes a T-shirt, badge and certificate. Camp begins each morning at 8:30 a.m. and ends at noon. Space is limited to the first 20 applicants.

The application deadline for each camp is June 1. Applications are available at the park office or by visiting www.cmspfriends.com.  

The June camps at Cumberland Mountain are part of Tennessee State Parks’ Junior Ranger Program – offering excellent educational opportunities, designed to foster a love of nature and to encourage a healthy lifestyle.  There are two ways to become an official Tennessee State Parks’ Junior Ranger. Interested kids may attend a Junior Ranger Camp, slated for June and July at various parks throughout the state; or complete a series of activities found in the Junior Ranger Adventure Guide. The sign-up process is easy. To get started, sign up for a Junior Ranger Camp by contacting the office of participating state parks. Free Junior Ranger Adventure Guides are available at any state park. To download a copy of the Adventure Guide or to find upcoming Junior Ranger Camps in your area, visit www.tnstateparks.com/junior_ranger.  

The state parks’ Junior Ranger Program is designed with flexibility in mind so that participants can choose their own path and set their own pace. Junior Rangers, along with their families, can enjoy exploring parks, touring visitor centers, attending park programs, hiking the trails and experiencing all the fun and exciting adventures Tennessee’s great state parks have to offer.

Cumberland Mountain State Park is situated on the Cumberland Plateau – a segment of the great upland, which extends from western New York to central Alabama. It is said to be the largest timbered plateau in America. This 1,720-acre park was acquired in 1938 as a project of the Farm Security Administration to provide a recreational area for some 250 families selected to homestead on the Cumberland Plateau.  For additional information about the park, please call or visit the park’s website at www.tnstateparks.com/CumberlandMtn.  

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