Edgar Evins State Park
Site Directions: The park is located in DeKalb County, 20 miles north of Smithville, 20 miles west of Cookeville, and 60 miles east of Nashville.
It is easily accessible from I-40 at exit 268 at State Hwy. 96 and Center Hill Lake.
Lat: 36.08763°N Long: -85.81287°W
Hours: 6 am-10:30 pm
Seasonality: year-round
Fees: none, fees only for cabins and camping
Managed by:
DeKalb County • 6,000 acres
On Center Hill Lake
Region III Office (931) 484-9571
Edgar Evins State Park — Tennessee State Parks (tnstateparks.com)
Big game and small game are the same same as statewide seasons, except as noted.
Closed to spring squirrel hunting on the north side of Center Hill Lake.
Deer (Archery) (Safety Zone) - Oct. 31– Nov. 1, 2023, Hunter quota 100, Bag limit two deer, first deer harvested must be antlerless (bonus deer). Sign-up for handheld drawing will be 8 a.m.-10 a.m. on Sept. 6, 2023 at the Park Office.
Quail - Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024.
Dog training - Same as statewide seasons, except closed on the north side of Center Hill Lake.
Site Description: The largely forested 6,000 acre Edgar Evins State Park is located on the shores of Center Hill Lake in the steep, hilly Eastern Highland Rim. The park has ample recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and wildlife watching around every corner.
An observation tower at the Visitor Center offers a spectacular view of Center Hill Lake and the surrounding hillsides.
Wildlife to Watch: Wildlife is abundant at nearly any time of the year.
Visitors may find at least 3 species of owl, bald eagles, as well as many forest songbird species including Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Eastern Wood-pewee, Kentucky Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler.
The Cerulean Warbler, a summer resident of the park's mixed hardwood forests, which include stands of Tulip Poplar, Oak, Hickory, Buckeye and Wild Cherry, is uncommon across most of Tennessee but is a common breeder at this park.
The best opportunity for viewing this canopy top species is from the observation tower at the Visitor's Center.
Bobcat may be seen by lucky visitors.
