The Bridge To Nowhere In The Middle Of The Tennessee Woods Will Capture Your Imagination
By Meghan Kraft|Published March 22, 2022
×
Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tennessee is famous for its beautiful rivers, rocky gorges, and the craggy beauty of its eastern mountain range, but in Pall Mall, near the town of Jamestown, there is an entirely new natural wonder waiting to be discovered. Hike Natural Bridge Trail in Pickett CC Memorial State Park to experience an easily accessible sandstone bridge that is lesser known than its Sewanee counterpart and therefore less trafficked. The hike is short and sweet, considered easy by most, and it’s great for families.
The trail begins at the Pickett State Park’s parking lot that’s dedicated to the picnic area, and since the route operates as a loop you can expect to end up in the same place after your hike. Visitors report that the trail is well marked with signs, but make sure you keep your eyes on what’s ahead of you. Natural hazards like rocks and roots may prove to trip you up while you’re eyeing the beauty of the park.
As you hike Natural Bridge Trail you will navigate through an old, hardwood forest and along multiple waterways. The trail is operable throughout the year and boasts large icicles during the wintertime.
The rock formations and outcroppings along the way are jaw-droppingly beautiful. Though well-maintained you will want to watch out for ice during the winter and puddling water during the warmer months. Wear waterproof shoes or hiking boots, and keep in mind that dogs are welcome on a leash.
The natural bridge that Natural Bridge Trail is named for is only a ten-minute walk from the parking lot. You will come upon it quickly, and no doubt you will want to stand in awe for a moment two. The sandstone arch is 86 feet in length and a solid 35 feet high. It leads from one side of the trail to the next, so you won’t be going anywhere wild once you cross it, but the look of the natural stretch seems like something out of a fairy tale.
Sandstone arches are formed due to a conglomeration of erosion and downward pressure. The stunning natural shapes take thousands of years to form and require incessant honing by ice, wind, and rain. When you look at Pickett State Park’s natural bridge you are looking back in time and years and years of natural history.
There is plenty to do in Pickett State Park, known officially as Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, especially since it stretches over 20,000 acres and contains the Pickett State Forest. There’s something magical about the Natural Bridge Trail though, and it comes highly, highly recommended for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
You can learn more about a trek to this Tennessee natural bridge in the middle of the woods on AllTrails or the official Tennessee state park website. This outdoor adventure is full of beauty, so make sure you bring your camera!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
