Tennessee Hiking: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

A cave next to a waterfall, Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, Manchester, Tennessee

    Within Tennessee, there's a wealth of beautiful areas to explore. Between the Smoky Mountains, the waterfalls, the forests, it seems like you could never fully explore all that TN has to offer. There are 72 state and national parks in TN, and many more trails in remote areas!
 
   With the car finally parked, my partner and I stretched. It had been a 2 hour drive from my parent's house in northern Tennessee, and we were more than ready to take on  Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park. Our goal was to hike the Enclosure loop only, but we ended up making a full loop around the park with  the Enclosure, Moat, and Backbone loop! Sitting at a comfortable 2.8 miles, the combined loop takes a little over an hour on average to complete (although hikes always take me significantly longer, since there are always beautiful things to stop and look at). The trail immediately slopes downwards, so the initial part of your hike is easy, and there are many beautiful things to look forward to!

    From old stone ruins of a mill, to multiple gorgeous waterfalls on the park grounds, this area is one to plan to spend a few hours in. I highly recommend exploring Tennessee's parks in the early spring, when it's still a bit chilly but the wildflowers are poking their heads out to enjoy the sun. The trail follows a beautiful portion of the Little Duck River, where you can wade and fish and play to your heart's content. 

   Once you're at the bottom of the decline, you'll find yourself walking alongside calm, gently bubbling sections of the river. Should you decide to take on the Backbone trail, the walk to it will vary significantly! There are sections of flat, wide trail that's well-maintained, but there are also portions (specifically next to the river) that are very narrow, with lots of roots and hard-to-find footing. A walking stick is advised, but not needed if you're a more advanced hiker. The 'backbone' itself is quite steep, and at times only a few paces wide, so please be cautious if you're planning on bringing children along.

  As a beginning hiker with bad knees, I found that I struggled mainly on the inclines and in places with lots of roots lacing across the trail...With that being said, I would still rate this trail as moderate. If you're in better shape than I am, it may be a bit tiring, but since it's a relatively short trail and there are many flat portions you shouldn't have much trouble at all. 

Overall, I would love to revisit this park when it's a bit more green, and I can wade in the river. It's a beautiful area, with lots of gorgeous scenery, so I do hope that you visit if you're ever in the area. Dear reader, it's a pleasure to share the things I love and the things I struggle to improve with you. I think that being human is beautiful, and sharing our triumphs and gorgeous imperfections help connect us. I hope that today, you find a small imperfection to celebrate.

Ferns, Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, Manchester, Tennessee