The Ancient Forest In Tennessee That's Right Out Of A Storybook
By Meghan Kraft|Published July 19, 2022
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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.
Overton Park is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and the public park is known as one of the most beautiful and expansive parks in the state of Tennessee. Locals flock to the natural area to walk, cycle, and attend local events. The famous Memphis Zoo can be found on-site, and the park’s Midtown location is easily accessible for folks from all over town. What most people don’t know, however, is that of the 342 acres that make up Overton Park a whopping 125 acres is actually the Old Forest State Natural Area. Known colloquially as the “Old Forest,” this natural expanse tells a natural story you can’t make up.
The Old Forest is officially known as the, "Old Forest Arboretum of Overton Park," and it is open daily to the public without charge. The forest is a part of the Overton Park Historic District, and it was even placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Why the significance, you ask? To put it quite simply, the forest is ancient. In fact, this particular tract of land has a history that extends thousands of years. Rare forms of vegetation flourish in the Old Forest, and you will also find some of the largest trees in Tennessee.
There are multiple hiking trails in the Old Forest, but we recommend the Old Forest Loop. At just over 2 miles it is easy to complete, accessible to wheelchairs, and great for kids. You can wander the woods and take in the lush beauty of Tennessee's famed urban park.
Since the loop is located in the great Overton Park you can take advantage of group gathering areas and picnic tables after you traverse the old-growth forest. Weekends can get a little busy, but if you come during the morning hours of the week you may have the trail largely to yourself.
Keep an eye out for the "Tennessee Champion Trees" too! The 27-inch diameter of a black cherry tree and the 62-inch shumard oak remain some of the largest trees in the state. There are four champion trees in total in the Old Forest.
Will you be visiting the Old Forest in Overton Park? It's a hidden gem, but potentially one of the most important natural locales in the state.
You can learn more about the Old Forest and check out its official trail map on the Overton Park website. You can access the area throughout the year, so make sure you plan a trip for the next sunny day.
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