Pickwick Landing Hiking

Notification Alert

Dog Park Closed Due to Storm Damage

Pickwick Landing State Park

Due to damage from Winter Storm Fern, the dog park at Pickwick Landing will be closed until further notice.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to make the necessary repairs. If you have any questions, please contact the park office.

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    Hiking at Pickwick Landing

    Pickwick Landing State Park hosts three hiking trails. Each trail serves a unique function and provides a different experience in nature.

    Beginning at the lodge, the Lake Trail is a 0.60-mile paved trail that winds through several picnic spots and recreational areas. During warmer months, stop by the pollinator garden to view wildflowers and the pollinators that help them thrive. 

    The Island Loop is the longest trail in the park at 2.25 miles. This natural surface trail travels through our beautiful hardwood forest and along scenic Pickwick Lake. 

    The Storybook Loop is a 0.25-mile path featuring a children's story that visitors of all ages can follow through several panels as they complete the loop. 

    Trails

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    • Island Loop

      Pickwick Landing State Park
      Distance
      2.25 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      The Island Loop Trail has two overlooks of the lake and multiple interpretive panels that cover nature and history.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Island Loop

      Pickwick Landing State Park
      The Island Loop Trail has two overlooks of the lake and multiple interpretive panels that cover nature and history.
      Distance
      2.25 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 184.60'
      Loss 269.10'
      Grade
      Typical 4.1%
      Max 27.9%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.3%
      Max 16.5%
      Tread Width
      Typical 46"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 99.5%; Wood decking 0.4%
      Obstructions Exist
      Rocks: 6 in tall

      Lake Trail

      Pickwick Landing State Park
      Distance
      0.60 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Traverses a large part of the park with views of Pickwick Dam, the Butterfly Garden, and other historical buildings. This short, paved trail takes you through lawns, planted pines, woodland, and edge habitats. The trail is the most stroller-friendly, passes by a playground, and would be the best candidate to be used as a walking track exercise trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Lake Trail

      Pickwick Landing State Park
      Traverses a large part of the park with views of Pickwick Dam, the Butterfly Garden, and other historical buildings. This short, paved trail takes you through lawns, planted pines, woodland, and edge habitats. The trail is the most stroller-friendly, passes by a playground, and would be the best candidate to be used as a walking track exercise trail.
      Distance
      0.60 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 50.10'
      Loss 63.80'
      Grade
      Typical 3.4%
      Max 18.2%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.8%
      Max 9.9%
      Tread Width
      Typical 63"
      Minimum 24"
      Surface Type
      Asphalt 95.3%; Gravel 4.7%
      Obstructions Exist
      No obstructions present

      Storybook Loop

      Pickwick Landing State Park
      Distance
      0.25 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Natural
      Rotating story line about the park topics. Good for exercising minds and bodies. Another option for birding. Parking is located at the trailhead near the deluxe cabins. The little free library is located at the trailhead in partnership with TN State Parks Conservancy and the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation.
      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.   

    Learn More About Trail Accessibility Information

    Need a Map?

    Explore our collection of printable and digital trail maps, organized by park. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or paddling, you’ll find the resources you need to navigate confidently.

     

    Find a Park Map

    Discover More at Pickwick Landing

    Visit the Lodge Gift Shop 

    The gift shop inside the Lodge at Pickwick Landing offers an assortment of souvenirs and items you might need during your stay. It’s a great place to stock up on grab-n-go snacks, drinks, and sunscreen before hitting the trail or the water. 

    Address:
    120 Playground Loop, Counce TN, 38326

    Hours: 
    Open 24 hours

    Pickwick Dam Triathlon

    Pickwick Landing State Park
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