Park Happenings

Event Details

2nd Annual Black Friday Turkey Burn-Off Hike

Trade the shopping mall chaos and post-feast food coma for crisp morning air and rugged ridge views. Join Ranger Demetriou for our 2nd Annual Black Friday Turkey Burn-Off Hike along the Woodland Trail at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.

This guided morning trek winds through deep loess bluff ravines and mature hardwood forest, offering an active, heart-pumping escape to kick off the holiday weekend.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
• Time: 8:30 AM (Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in)
• Meeting Location: Woodland Trail Trailhead (near the Nature Center)
• Leader: Ranger Demetriou
• Trail: Woodland Trail loop
• Distance: ~3 miles
• Difficulty: Upper Moderate to Low Advanced (Not recommended for beginners. Expect sustained elevation changes, steep climbs, exposed tree roots, and uneven bluff terrain)
• Pace: Steady and brisk

Trail Advisory & Expectations

Important Note on Difficulty: This hike is not intended for beginners or first-time hikers. The Woodland Trail features persistent ridge climbs, descents into deep ravines, and rugged footpaths with loose soil and heavy root coverage that require solid balance and good trail endurance.

What to Bring

• Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes with aggressive tread (strongly recommended over casual sneakers). NO SANDALS OR OPEN TOE SHOES
• Minimum of 32oz of drinking water
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Trekking poles (strongly encouraged for ravine descents and root navigation)

Registration & Guidelines: Free admission, but pre-registration via the Tennessee State Parks event portal is encouraged to ensure proper group sizing. Well-behaved dogs on a standard 6-foot leash are welcome, provided they are accustomed to steep, rugged trail conditions.