Red Clay Hiking

Wooden bridge winding through a lush, green forest.

Hiking at Red Clay

Behind the Picnic Pavilion is an entrance to a 1.7-mile loop trail that goes to the Overlook Tower.

The trail is a moderate grade and is well marked. A short nature trail begins at the spring and ends at the farmstead.

The Blue Hole Trail is a short nature trail that begins at Blue Hole Spring and ends at the farmstead. This glittering spring is a sacred site for many Cherokees and serves as a natural landmark for the council grounds. The clear blue waters provided drinking water for each meeting. 

The Connector Trail winds through a wooded, swampy area and connects to the Council of Trees Trail. During your trek, look for the old roadbed that used to be the original road through the park. Once you reach the Council of Trees trail, expect moderate grades as you head down the trail to the Overlook Tower.

Trails

Blue Hole Trail

Red Clay State Park

Distance

0.20 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area 48 in (121.9 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Blue Hole Trail

Red Clay State Park

Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area 48 in (121.9 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Distance

0.20 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 13.40'

Loss 15.10'

Grade

Typical 2.9%

Max 15.0%

Cross Slope

Typical 2.4%

Max 20.9%

Tread Width

Typical 37"

Minimum 24"

Surface Type

Soil 86.3%; Soil 13.7%

Obstructions Exist

Tree root: 3 in tall; Tree roots: 3 in tall; Tree root: 3 in tall

Connector Trail

Red Clay State Park

Distance

0.15 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Warning: Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area 48 in (121.9 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Connector Trail

Red Clay State Park

Warning: Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area 48 in (121.9 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Distance

0.15 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 48.70'

Loss 6.20'

Grade

Typical 7.0%

Max 39.4%

Cross Slope

Typical 3.1%

Max 12.0%

Tread Width

Typical 37"

Minimum 36"

Surface Type

Soil 74.8%; Wood decking 25.2%

Obstructions Exist

Tree roots: 5 in tall; Tree roots: 4 in tall; Tree roots: 4 in tall

Council of Trees Trail

Red Clay State Park

Distance

1.70 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Warning: Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area, 60 in (152.4 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high, were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Council of Trees Trail

Red Clay State Park

Warning: Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area, 60 in (152.4 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high, were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Distance

1.70 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 242.60'

Loss 340.50'

Grade

Typical 6.9%

Max 23.6%

Cross Slope

Typical 2.5%

Max 18.1%

Tread Width

Typical 35"

Minimum 12"

Surface Type

Gravel 63.3%; Soil 32.3%; Asphalt 3%; Stairs 1.2%; Wood decking 0.2%

Obstructions Exist

Stairs: 11 in tall; Rocks: 9 in tall; Large rock: 7 in tall

Interpretive Trail

Red Clay State Park

Distance

0.60 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Paved

Warning: Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area 84 in (213.4 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking wheelchair

Interpretive Trail

Red Clay State Park

Warning: Trail conditions may have changed since 07/2024 when this trail was assessed. Maximum grades and cross slopes may vary. Obstructions less than 2 in (5.1 cm) or outside of the tread area 84 in (213.4 cm) wide by 80 in (203.2 cm) high were not reported. Minimum clearance width boundaries were at least 6 in (15.2 cm) high.

Distance

0.60 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Paved

Allowed

Hiking wheelchair

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 96.40'

Loss 36.10'

Grade

Typical 4.0%

Max 18.0%

Cross Slope

Typical 3.4%

Max 16.8%

Tread Width

Typical 60"

Minimum 60"

Surface Type

Asphalt 94.4%; Stairs 2.5%; Concrete 2.2%; Wood decking 0.9%

Obstructions Exist

Staircase: 9 in tall; Staircase: 8 in tall; Step: 8 in tall

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.

Visitor Center Gift Shop

The Visitor Center Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.

Address:
1140 Red Clay Park Road Southwest, Cleveland TN, 37311
1-423-478-0339

Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Sunday - Monday
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM