Nature Based Recreational Opportunities

Smith County

Located adjacent to the Bear Waller Gap hiking trail entrance, this mountain bike trail is a new addition to Cordell Hull Lake. It is located in Defeated Creek Park next to the Bear Waller Gap hiking trail entrance and the Defeated Campground. Parking is available at the trailhead. 

Roane County

Connecting four parks in just over three miles along the edge of Watt’s Bar Lake in Kingston, this paved trail is ideal for walking the dog, taking a stroll, jogging, fishing, picnicking, and other family activities. To the north the trail starts at Alton E. Byrd Park, adjacent to Kingston City Park, and continues to Gravel Pit Park, 58 Landing Park, and finally Fort South West Point Park. Attractive lakeside views toward Fort South West Point can be captured along the trail, as well as sights of waterfowl and other wildlife on Watts Bar Lake. Drinking fountains, benches, and picnic tables are available along the trail.

Cumberland, Fentress and Morgan Counties

Set in the rolling hills of the Cumberland Plateau, visitors to Catoosa WMA enjoy sights of the Obed Wild and Scenic River as well as the forest Oak Savannas and the scenic “Devil’s Breakfast Table” area. The Wartburg entrance offers a scenic drive through a tranquil woodland area threaded with streams and rivers, offering ideal spots for watching wildlife and taking in the scenery. The Wartburg entrance also leads visitors to a place where the forest understory is outstanding. In the eastern section of the site, the forest canopy is dense, setting a mysterious mood through dim light. Uncommon birds on the Cumberland Plateau find habitat at Catoosa. Such species include Red-headed Woodpecker (very high densities), Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, and Common Yellowthroat. Occasionally a Swainson’s Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, or a river otter can be seen in through the dense foliage along the stream edges. Wild Turkey, White-tailed Deer, and Ruffed Grouse are also present on the site.

Cumberland County

This 1,720-acre park as originally acquired in 1938 to serve as a recreation spot for about 250 families homesteading on the Cumberland Plateau. The Homestead Museum, located one mile from the park, is dedicated to the Cumberland Homestead Community that was established during the 1930s. Among the recreational activities enjoyed at the park are opportunities to camp in rustic cabins, tents, or RVs. Visitors can rent canoes, paddleboats, rowboats, and fishing boats for use on Byrd Lake. Hiking trails are throughout the park, with one designated for overnight camping. The park offers fishing on Byrd Lake and visitors can expect catches of rainbow trout, catfish, bass, bluegill and bream. A Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, Bear Trace, is also located in the park. Other park facilities include picnic pavilions, playgrounds, a swimming pool, a recreational hall with meeting rooms, and a restaurant renowned for its catfish served on Fridays.

Smith County

Defeated Creek Park Campground is located on Cordell Hull Lake, seven miles from Carthage. Recreational opportunities are many along the 381 miles of shoreline of the 12,000-acre lake. Water activities enjoyed here include boating, jet skiing, water skiing, sailing, as boat ramps and a marina allow for lake access. White bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, shad, and crappie draw fishermen to the area. Designated trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking surround the lake. Trails include the 6-mile Bearwaller Gap Trail, Turkey Creek Nature Trail, and Bear Wheels Mountain Bike Trail. 

DeKalb County

This 6,000 acre park is located on Center Hill Lake in the Eastern Highland Rim. In 1975 the park was dedicated and named after James Edgar Evins, 2-year term state senator, businessman and mayor of Smithville in DeKalb County. Evins was instrumental in the development of Center Hill Dam and Reservoir. The park’s mixed hardwood forests of Tulip Poplar, Oak, Hickory, Buckeye and Wild Cherry are abundantly inhabited by wildlife. Among the fauna at the park are three different owl species, hawks, wintering bald eagles, and the rare Cerulean Warbler. Popular activities at the park include boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, picnicking, and dining at the Gallery Restaurant at Edgar Evins Marina. Visitors interested in sticking around the park can stay at one of the modern lodging suites or the tent and trailer campsites with hookups to water and electricity.

Morgan County

Lone Mountain State Forest is a 3,572-acre tract of land with almost 20 miles of trails available for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The state forest is located between the Cumberland Mountains and Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area. A hike to Coyote Point on a clear day will promise views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Kingston Steam Plant. Coyote Point is located on the southeast slope of Lone Mountain and consists of a table rock at the edge of a bluff overlooking the lower Emory River drainage.

Roane County

Located at Watts Bar River (mile 575) in Roane County, Paint Rock Refuge is a 1,600 acre WMA composed of forest, shrub edges and fields. From the boat ramp off of Paint Rock Road, visitors can drop in and enjoy the scenery of the Watts Bar flora and fauna. Commonly found nesting on poles in the lake are ospreys, often caring for young. Other waterfowl such as Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, and Great Egret can be found nesting on the lake’s islands. Eagles can also be spotted in the winter. On the water’s edge, it is not uncommon to see white-tailed deer, raccoon, muskrat, fox, and coyote. Hunting is allowed at the refuge on designated public access dates. Those interested in hunting should refer to the TWRA Hunting Guide.