Spring Hikes in Tennessee – Saturday, 22 March 2014 | Wilson County Master Gardener Association

On March 22nd, Tennessee State Park rangers are hosting a series of guided hikes across the state providing a unique look at the spring season.

Whether you’re looking for a short nature trail or an all-day endeavor through a park’s most remote stretches, you’ll find what you’re looking for at a Tennessee State Park.

Edgar Evins hosts Spring Hike of the Millennium Trail – Mar 22 @ Edgar Evins

Edgar Evins hosts Spring Hike of the Highland Rim Nature Trail – Mar 22 @ Edgar Evins

Long Hunter hosts First Hike of Spring – Mar 22 @ Long Hunter
One-mile nature hike on the Tyler Sykes Trail at Couchville Glade. We’ll look for spring wildflowers, listen for songbirds and discover the uniqueness of a Middle Tennessee cedar glade. Meet at 1 p.m. CT at the Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area on S. Mt. Juliet Rd. For more information call 615-885-2422.

Panther Creek hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Panther Creek (east TN)

Big Cypress hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area

Big Hill Pond hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Big Hill Pond

Chickasaw hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Chickasaw

Meeman-Shelby hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Meeman-Shelby

Natchez Trace hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Natchez Trace State Park

Nathan Bedford Forrest hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park

Cordell Hull Birthplace hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Cordell Hull Birthplace

Fort Pillow hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Fort Pillow (west TN)

Pinson Mounds hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Pinson Mounds

Cummins Falls hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Cummins Falls

Mousetail Landing hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Mousetail Landing

Booker T. Washington hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Booker T. Washington

Fort Loudoun hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Fort Loudoun

Harrison Bay hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Harrison Bay

Roan Mountain hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Roan Mountain

Paris Landing hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Paris Landing

Pickwick Landing hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Pickwick Landing

Reelfoot Lake hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Reelfoot Lake

Bicentennial Mall hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Bicentennial Mall

T.O. Fuller hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ T.O. Fuller

Bledsoe Creek hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Bledsoe Creek
The park will be offering 2 separate hikes, a 3.5 mile hike along the Shoreline Trail on Old Hickory Lake, and a 1.5 mile hike along our paved Mayo Wix Trail and Birdsong trail that is handicap accessible and great for kids. Be sure to bring some water with you for the hikes. We will have some refreshments for the public after the hikes are completed. Call for more information: 615-452-3706.

Burgess Falls hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Burgess Falls

Cedars of Lebanon hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Cedars of Lebanon
The cedar glades will soon be blooming with many rare and endemic species of flowers. The 0.5 mile Cedar Glade Trail is located at the Main Park Office starting at 2pm. Please wear appropriate clothing for hiking. All ages are welcome. For additional information, contact (615) 443-2769.

David Crockett hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ David Crockett

Dunbar Cave hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Dunbar Cave

Fall Creek Falls hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Fall Creek Falls

Harpeth River hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Harpeth River

Henry Horton hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Henry Horton

Johnsonville hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Johnsonville State Park

Montgomery Bell hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Montgomery Bell

Old Stone Fort hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Old Stone Fort
Jack B. Carman, noted Tennessee wildflower expert and author of Wildflowers of Tennessee, will be presenting a talk and wildflower walk at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park. Mr. Carman will lead visitors in a discussion and interpretive hike through the White Trail at Old Stone Fort, noting the array of beautiful native wildflowers found throughout the park and across Tennessee. The wildflower talk will begin at 10 A.M at the Old Stone Fort Museum and will be followed by the walk at 11 A.M. The wildflower walk will be approximately 1.25 miles and its overall degree of difficulty is easy. All ages are welcome but please remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Port Royal hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Port Royal

Radnor Lake hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Radnor Lake

Hideaway Hike from Vanderbilt-Dyer Observatory – Mar 22 @ 6am
Hike is approximately 1.5 hours and will highlight the newest ridgetop acquired near Dyer Observatory. Reservations required and open on March 16th at 10am. (615) 373-3467.

Rock Island hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Rock Island

Sgt Alvin C York hosts Spring Hike – Mar 22 @ Sgt. Alvin C. York

South Cumberland hosts Spring Hikes – Mar 22 @ South Cumberland
South Cumberland State Park is offering 3 hikes:1) Join Staff at the Savage Gulf Ranger station at 1:00 p.m. CT for a 4 mile roundtrip hike along the Savage Gulf Dayloop. This trail is rated as moderate, please bring along water, a snack if needed, and a raincoat if there is inclement weather. Sturdy shoes recommended. For more information call 931-779-3532.

2) Join Staff at the Carter state Natural Area parking lot at 11:00 a.m. CT for a spring hike. Carter State Natural Area is known for its karst features, but often overlooked is the interesting plant and animal communities surrounding Buggytop cave. This strenuous 5-mile hike may involve off-trail inspection of this beautiful landscape so be sure and bring sturdy footwear, food, and water. For more information call 931-779-3532.

3) Come experience the power of the river during peak flow. We will be seeing three beautiful waterfalls: Upper Greeter Falls, Lower Greeter Falls, and Boardtree Falls. Don’t forget your camera! Meetup at the Greeter falls parking lot at 2:00 p.m. CT for a moderate 2 mile hike along the Greeter loop trail. For more information call 931-692-3887 or 931-924-2980