Image “Spring” by Nicholas_T, used under CC BY 2.0
If you’re looking to get outdoors in Warren County, there are plenty of hikes to choose from. Whether you want a short hike or a longer adventure, here are several places to go hiking in Warren County.
Rock Island State Park
There are nine different hiking trails to choose from at Rock Island State Park. Collins River Natural Trail is a moderate three-mile trail that goes along the outside of the peninsula on Collin’s River. You’ll get great views along the way including wildflowers, Christmas ferns, white-tailed deer, and woodpeckers. To shorten the trail to two miles, take the new Connector Trail, where you’ll end up next to two cemeteries from some of the first settlers in the area.
Eagle Trail is a shorter trail at 1.4 miles long and goes from the Badger Flatt picnic area to the Blue Hole picnic area. You’ll see plenty of flowers along the way as well as birds including osprey and kingfishers. If you’re just looking for a quick hike, take the one-mile Moonshine Trail. This trail goes past an old moonshine still and has plenty of wildlife to see, such as barred owls and brightly-colored fire pink flowers.
Although it’s short at only 0.5 miles, Blue Hole Trail is very rugged, wet, and steep, so it’s not for everyone. This goes along a scenic waterfall and has many steps along the way. The area has been a popular fishing spot for decades.
Savage Gulf Natural Area
Savage Gulf Natural Area is located between Nashville and Chattanooga and a good day trip for hikers of any level. There are several trails to choose from in this area depending on how far you want to go. A popular choice is the Big Creek Rim Trail that leads to the Laurel Trail, which is six miles long. You’re rewarded with beautiful views at the top, so considering going at sunrise or sunset for stunning photos.
During the early morning hours, it’s common to see wildlife such as deer. There are also bathrooms on several of the trails that the state of Tennessee maintains on a regular basis.
Burgess Falls State Park
Burgess Falls State Park is a gorgeous day use park known for its beautiful scenery. There are four waterfalls here that are over 250-feet high, with one going deeper than 130 feet into a gorge. The area was originally populated by the Creek, Chickasaw, and Cherokee tribes, they used it as a hunting ground. A sawmill and gristmill opened on the river in the late 19th century and the area became a Tennessee State Natural Area in 1973. This helps protect the aquatic habitats and distinct forest.
A variety of hiking trails are found here ranging from 0.3 miles to 1.5 miles. The Ridge Top Trail is 0.5 miles long and a moderate challenge, and you’ll have great views of the bottom of the main canyon. The River Trail is 0.8 miles long, but considered very strenuous and difficult.
Whether you want to go on a short, easy hike or a longer, steeper hike, there are a variety of different hiking trails to choose from when you’re in Warren County.
Image “Spring” by Nicholas_T, used under CC BY 2.0
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