Old Stone Fort Hiking

a man walking his dog near the blue hole waterfall of old stone state park in TN

Hiking at Old Stone Fort 

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park has several miles of hiking trails at all levels of difficulty.

Trails

Adams Falls Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Backbone Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

1.25 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Also known as the Little Duck River Loop Trail, this is an extension of the main interpretive path. Backbone Ridge is a remarkable erosional feature that separates the long abandoned channel from the current channel of the Little Duck River. The ridge may have had its own ceremonial significance to the enclosure builders.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Bobo Creek Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Chumbley Woods Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

1.65 mi.

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Eagle Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

1.15 mi.

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Enclosure Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

1.40 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

The enclosure trail surrounds a unique geological feature that was used by Woodland Indians 2,000 years ago. It offers views of the park's three largest waterfalls - Step Falls, Blue Hole Falls, and Big Falls. The path is a loop that follows the perimeter of the mound site, traveling along the deep gorges cut by the rivers on either side of the site. It first goes between the two pedestal mounds flanking an entrance to the enclosure.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Enclosure Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

The enclosure trail surrounds a unique geological feature that was used by Woodland Indians 2,000 years ago. It offers views of the park's three largest waterfalls - Step Falls, Blue Hole Falls, and Big Falls. The path is a loop that follows the perimeter of the mound site, traveling along the deep gorges cut by the rivers on either side of the site. It first goes between the two pedestal mounds flanking an entrance to the enclosure.

Distance

1.40 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 175.30'

Loss 151.30'

Grade

Typical 3.7%

Max 26.2%

Cross Slope

Typical 2.4%

Max 16.0%

Tread Width

Typical 49"

Minimum 11"

Surface Type

Soil 78.9%; Gravel 11.9%; Wood decking 2.3%; Rock 2.2%; Bedrock 1.6%; Stairs 1.6%; Paved 1.5%

Obstructions Exist

Rock step: 13 in tall; Tree root: 12 in tall; Staircase: 11 in tall

Forks of the River Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

0.30 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

This trail is nestled in a bottomland hardwood forest and offers a view of the river where the Duck and Little Duck Rivers meet.This is a pleasant walk off the Enclosure Trail to where the Big Duck River and the Little Duck River meet to form the Duck River. The Duck River has been recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the five most biodiverse rivers in the entire world.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Forks of the River Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

This trail is nestled in a bottomland hardwood forest and offers a view of the river where the Duck and Little Duck Rivers meet.This is a pleasant walk off the Enclosure Trail to where the Big Duck River and the Little Duck River meet to form the Duck River. The Duck River has been recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the five most biodiverse rivers in the entire world.

Distance

0.30 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 36.30'

Loss 86.80'

Grade

Typical 6.3%

Max 23.5%

Cross Slope

Typical 1.9%

Max 12.7%

Tread Width

Typical 49"

Minimum 24"

Surface Type

Soil 64%; Gravel 31.2%; Bedrock 4.8%

Obstructions Exist

Rock steps: 9 in tall; Tree roots: 8 in tall; Tree roots: 8 in tall

Garrison Road Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

0.80 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

This trailhead is also behind the camper check-in building. The name refers to a fort from the very early 1800s called Purdies Garrison. The road served as a route of the Nickajack Trace as it ran from the Purdies Garrison to the area of the Old Stone Fort. You will also walk a short stretch on the earliest paved section of Highway 41, now lost in the woods. This route returns across a pleasant area on higher ground.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Garrison Road Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

This trailhead is also behind the camper check-in building. The name refers to a fort from the very early 1800s called Purdies Garrison. The road served as a route of the Nickajack Trace as it ran from the Purdies Garrison to the area of the Old Stone Fort. You will also walk a short stretch on the earliest paved section of Highway 41, now lost in the woods. This route returns across a pleasant area on higher ground.

Distance

0.80 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 103.60'

Loss 104.50'

Grade

Typical 4.8%

Max 31.8%

Cross Slope

Typical 3.1%

Max 19.9%

Tread Width

Typical 52"

Minimum 16"

Surface Type

Soil 73.7%; Gravel 13.6%; Asphalt 10.6%; Wood decking 1.3%; Stairs 0.8%

Obstructions Exist

Staircase: 12 in tall; Step: 9 in tall; Tree: 16 in of tread remaining

John A. Patten Island Water Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking
Lakefront Water Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Laurel Bluff Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Machine Falls Loop Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Moat Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

0.45 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Also known as the Old River Channel Trail, this trail connects to the Forks of the River Trail and the Enclosure Trail. The trail traverses an abandoned river channel below the western wall of the Old Stone Fort.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Moat Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Also known as the Old River Channel Trail, this trail connects to the Forks of the River Trail and the Enclosure Trail. The trail traverses an abandoned river channel below the western wall of the Old Stone Fort.

Distance

0.45 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 37.50'

Loss 62.20'

Grade

Typical 4.6%

Max 44.3%

Cross Slope

Typical 1.3%

Max 12.2%

Tread Width

Typical 50"

Minimum 12"

Surface Type

Soil 61%; Bedrock 19.8%; Gravel 19.2%

Obstructions Exist

Rock: 14 in tall; Rock: 12 in tall; Rock steps: 9 in tall

Nature Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

0.85 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

This one mile trail encircles the campground and is a great place to see and hear woodland bird species. Located behind by the camper check-in station, this trail offers a pleasant walk through the woods and returns through the back end of the campground. A short portion passes near the Duck River.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Nature Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

This one mile trail encircles the campground and is a great place to see and hear woodland bird species. Located behind by the camper check-in station, this trail offers a pleasant walk through the woods and returns through the back end of the campground. A short portion passes near the Duck River.

Distance

0.85 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 59.10'

Loss 68.90'

Grade

Typical 2.7%

Max 38.9%

Cross Slope

Typical 2.0%

Max 15.2%

Tread Width

Typical 56"

Minimum 20"

Surface Type

Soil 73.9%; Gravel 19.4%; Wood decking 6.2%; Asphalt 0.5%

Obstructions Exist

Step: 12 in tall; Step: 12 in tall; Tree roots: 7 in tall

The Powerline Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

1.70 mi.

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking Mountain Biking

Wildflower Loop Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Wolftever Rabbit Island Water Trail

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Trail Definitions

Cross Slope 

Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.  
Grade 

Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.   
Standard Ramp Grade

Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments. 
Surface 

A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.  
Tread Width 

Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.  
Trail Types: Loop

Trail returns at or near the point from which you started.
Trail Types: Network

Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected
Trail Types: Out and Back

This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.  
Trail Types: Stacked Loop

A loop trail contained completely within another trail.