We took a trip around our state and there was one Tennessee state park that we knew we had to see. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is an interesting place that we had to add to our adventures once we learned about the abandoned ruins found in the forest, and we were also pleasantly surprised to find a plethora of waterfalls and a very interesting museum. If you want to dig into the history of this archeological park, the best place to start is the museum which will give you great context before you head off on the trails.
I had done a little research before we arrived and knew this was a must-see stop on our trip. I was mostly excited to see the abandoned fort and ruins found inside the park, but I knew I had to see the museum.
This is one of the first stops you should make when you go to this park because it holds some really good information that will put your hike into context. The building can easily be passed if you don’t know what you are looking for because it is completely built into the hillside and looks very natural. This was part of the appeal to me and drew me in based on aesthetics alone. Curb appeal aside, this small museum held some very valuable information and the staff member working inside was very helpful in highlighting some of the must-see spots on the map for me to use.
Inside we learned more about the park and the Native Americans that called this place home from 1500 to 2000 years ago. They had left the area abandoned and the reasoning is mysterious; it is unclear whether them leaving was due to the settlers making their way West or an unknown reason. The large plot of land has a built-up wall surrounding the grasslands and was mistaken as an old fort, thus the name of the park.
There are many theories as to what life was like in this area and displays that showcase the artifacts found onsite. There were even interactive elements like the replica of the hut and animal pelts you could feel hanging inside. It was a fascinating trip through history and part of the allure for me is the unknown.
The gentleman behind the desk helped me to map out our trails for the day where we wanted to see the best of the abandoned structures and the waterfalls found within the park. He walked me through each turn drawing it out on the park map which also helped us make the most of our time in the park. From there we explored the ancient enclosure where indigenous people lived many years ago, witnessed many waterfalls, and took a lovely walk through the forest.
Our favorite was the old abandoned structures found by the river. We spent some time exploring this area and would highly recommend making sure you also find this spot along the Enclosure Trail. There are a lot of trails intersecting within the park so I found it helpful to have my AllTrails map handy with me the whole time we were on the hike.
When it comes to a museum in a Tennessee state park, Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is a great place to stop. I found it helpful to put my whole hike within proper historical context and allowed me to appreciate things much more as we traveled. For more information about the park make sure to visit the Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park website.
Not too far from this park is another fun trip into ancient history with a dinosaur museum in Tennessee called Earth Experience, make sure to check it out!
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