Most folks don't know about the Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Tennessee, located right along the Little Duck River. With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the east and the ever-famous Fall Creek Falls and Burgess Falls to visit, this oft-forgotten hidden gem tends to be one of the least trafficked state parks in the state. If you're looking to break the monotony of the day-to-day while chasing waterfalls in Tennessee, then this beautiful natural hot spot is well worth your while. Plus, if you're looking to bask in some incredible, accessible beauty in the Volunteer State, this one is just a quick drive. Learn all about it below!
The Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is located in the lush land surrounding Manchester, Tennessee, along the famed little Duck River. You'll most often hear it called Old Stone Fort State Park.
The park itself is known for its deep history and natural beauty that's easily explored by way of hiking and birding.
The park has RV sites available for folks looking to stay overnight, but a busy event schedule and activities like hiking, fishing, and birding make it easy to make a day trip out of it as well. The Duck River is full of largemouth bass, catfish, and bream, so you can choose to fish either from a boat or the banks.
Old Stone Fort is named for a structure built by local Native Americans in the Middle Woodland Period, roughly 2,000 years ago. The area was utilized for 500 years before it was eventually left to the elements.
When the remains of the settlement were discovered by European settlers, they misconstrued the structure as a "fort" and the area has now become known as the Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park.
Of course, if chasing waterfalls is your prerogative then there's really no place better to wander than the lush backwoods of the state park. The hiking trails meander through the woods and along the waterfront, revealing roughly ten waterfalls along the way during peak season.
The waterfalls at Old Stone Fort aren't the tallest in the state, but when it comes to easy nature getaways in Tennessee, you can get some pretty beautiful "bang for your (adventure) buck" here!
You'll have to keep your eyes peeled, of course! The most famous falls along the Duck River include Bluehole Falls and Big Falls, both of which gush 30 feet to the waters below.
Other smaller falls are tucked behind foliage and around unexpected corners.
Old Stone Fort is a Coffee County must-visit and is typically open daily year-round to adventurers.
Typical park hours are approximately two hours after sunrise to sunset, but be sure to keep an eye on the Old Stone Fort website for the latest hours.
Once you've hiked through these hills, along the rugged waterways, and discovered the nearly TEN waterfalls hidden within the park itself, you'll want to come back and visit time and time again and in every season!
So, what are your thoughts on this beautiful destination? Have you ever visited Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park? If not, we'd highly recommend adding this hidden gem to your bucket list! And the next time you're looking for waterfalls in Tennessee, we hope this spot comes to mind!
You can learn more about Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park with a visit to its official website.
Looking for even more family-friendly natural beauty? Check out our list of some of the best state parks in Tennessee - there's something for everyone on the list! Or, continue to experience all the natural fun and excitement in Tennessee with a cave tour at Cumberland Caverns! It's a true Tennessee adventure that belongs on your bucket list.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!