State parks serve up August adventures

NASHVILLE — State parks in Tennessee serve up a wide array of seasonal programs designed to showcase their natural beauty, wildlife and history.

Here’s a sampling of the events on tap over the next three weeks at parks located in the eastern section of the state. Advance registration is required for most programs. To register for an event or for a full schedule of events, including those at parks across the state, visit tnstateparks.com/events.

Fun and Games

Croquet on Sunday

Big Ridge

Noon, July 28

Learn this golf-like sport. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray. Bring water and snacks. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the park office.

Old Time Music Jam

Sycamore Shoals

1:30-4 p.m., July 28

Bring an instrument and join in or just come out and enjoy the tunes. Meet at the visitor center.

Stargazing

Rocky Fork

9:30-11:30 p.m.

Aug. 2

Join season interpretative ranger Amanda Lank at the overlook on I-26 for an exclusive stargazing event. Bring a flashlight and a camping chair, snacks, water and bug repellant. In the event of inclement weather, the event may be rescheduled. Registration required. Cost is $5 per person, with coordinates provided once you register.

Butterfly Count

Sycamore Shoals

9 a.m., Aug. 3

Meet naturalist Don Holt at Sycamore Shoals for the day-long 20th annual Elizabethton Butterfly Count, sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association. The morning is spent in the park and the afternoon at various spots across Elizabethton. Come for part or all. There is a small fee to have your name included on the official count list. Meet at the Visitor Center parking area.

Fall Gardening Seminar

Sycamore Shoals

9 a.m., Aug. 10

Join master gardener Ben Hunter for tips on growing the garden of your dreams. Meet in the Gathering Place at the park visitor center.

Guided Hikes

World Nature Conservation Day Hike

Indian Mountain

7:45 p.m., July 28

Enjoy a guided .80-mile hike around the Ballard Lake Trail and discuss pollination, invasive species and sustainability. Appropriate footwear required. Donations welcome. Meet at the park office/visitor center.

Sunset Hike

Rocky Fork

7 p.m. July 31

Join park ranger Cory Franklin for a strenuous two-mile hike (with roughly 1,000 feet elevation gain) to Whitehouse Cliffs Knob. It is one of the highest points in Tennessee State Parks. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Bring water. Meet at the campfire interpretative area. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled. The cost is $5 per person, with additional donations accepted.

Sunset Hike

Panther Creek

8:15 p.m., Aug. 3

Hike the moderate 1.4-mile down-and-back Ridge Crest Trail. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water and a headlamp or flashlight. The cost is $10 per person. Meet at the Smallman Area at Heart Loop.

Sunrise Hike

Rocky Fork

5:15 a.m., Aug. 4

Beat the heat on an early sunrise hike to White Oak Flats. The moderate three-mile hike leads to a scenic overlook. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, water and snacks. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Cost is $5 per person. Meet at the campfire interpretive area.

Beginner Birding Hike

Seven Islands

8:30 a.m., Aug. 4

Come learn the basics of birding, including identification techniques and learning tools/resources, on a three-mile hike along the ADA trail and Island Loop. The program is open to everyone. Bring binoculars and water. Wear good walking shoes. Meet at the Bluebird Barn.

Flint Rock Loop Hiking Adventure

Warriors’ Path

8 a.m., Aug. 10

Discover breathtaking views and rich forest wonders at Flint Rock on Holston Mountain. This strenuous eight-mile hike offers an opportunity to encounter unique native plants and wildlife while navigating rugged terrain. Participants should be prepared for rolling hills, slippery terrain, and the possible presence of stinging nettle, black bears and venomous snakes. Wear long pants and sturdy hiking boots. Bring plenty of food and water. Registration is limited. The cost is $5. Meet at the former pool parking lot to carpool to the trailhead.

History

Carter Mansion Tour

Sycamore Shoals

1: 30 p.m., July 27

10 a.m., Aug. 1-2

1:30 p.m., Aug. 6-9

Visit Tennessee’s oldest frame house, circa 1780. Enjoy the elegant frontier home and learn the history of the Carter family who built it. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Cost is $5 for youth (17 and younger); $8 for seniors (65 and older) and veterans/military; and $10 for adults.

Sabine Hill Tour

Sycamore Shoals

10 a.m., July 27

1:30 p.m., Aug. 1-3

10 a.m., Aug. 6-10

Take a guided tour of the stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Taylor. Take in the Federal architecture and learn about the influential family that built it. Cost is $5 for youth (17 and younger); $8 for seniors (65 and older) and veterans/military; and $10 for adults. Sabine is located at 2328 West G St. in Elizabethton

Homestead Tour

David Crockett Birthplace

2 p.m., July 28

Enjoy a guided tour to learn about the Crockett family and the 18th century homestead structures and their uses. The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and older) and $3 for children (ages 5-17). Meet at the flagpole next to the Homestead parking lot.

Defense of Fort Watauga

Sycamore Shoals

2 p.m., Aug. 3

Join museum curator Chad Bogart for a detailed recounting of the summer of 1776 when 300 Cherokee warriors laid siege to Fort Watauga where 200 local settlers had taken refuge. Learn about the strategy, the reasons for the attack, the measures taken by the settlers and the weaponry used. Meet at Fort Watauga.

Siege Garrison Weekend

Fort Loudoun

10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Aug. 10-11

Garrison Weekend is a free family friendly living history event featuring the lives of the men, women and children of Fort Loudoun. There’ll be blacksmiths, a surgeon talk, and soldier stories. The fort will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Fort Loudoun State Historic Park is located in Vonore.

Wet and Wild

Pontoon Boat Tour

Norris Dam

11 a.m., July 28

10 a.m., Aug. 2

10:30 a.m., Aug. 3

Take an hour-long boat tour of Norris Lake. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. The cost is $15 for anyone ages 6 and older and $10 for children 5 and younger. Meet at Norris Dam Marina.

Ruth’s Race

Hiwassee/Ocoee

4 p.m., Aug. 1

Ruth’s Race will be at the Big Creek River Access, down river and back). There will be stand-up paddle board and kayak divisions. The cost is $30. Liability waivers required.

Sunset Kayak Float

Big Ridge

8 p.m., Aug. 2

8 p.m., Aug. 10

Meet at the Big Ridge boat dock to kayak for about an hour at sunset. All experience levels welcome. Come prepared with water, sunscreen and bug spray. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $10.

Creek Crawl

Panther Creek

4 p.m., Aug. 2

3 p.m., Aug. 4

4 p.m., Aug. 9

Explore freshwater streams and learn about the water’s ecosystem. Catch, identify and observe creek-dwelling creatures. Wear shoes and clothes that can get dirty and wet. Meet at the creek observation deck.

Sunset Canoe Float

Panther Creek

8:15 p.m., Aug. 2

8:15 p.m., Aug. 9

Enjoy a sunset canoe float on Cherokee Lake. Canoes, paddles and life jackets will be provided. Participants will need to bring a flashlight or headlamp (one light per canoe required). The cost is $10. Meet at the boat ramp.

Sunset Kayak Float

Indian Mountain

8:30 p.m., Aug. 3

Meet at the camp store at the boat dock to venture out on Indian Mountain Lake at sunset. The cost is $8 per person. Meet at the boat dock near the camp store.

Training

Leave No Trace Trainer Course & Weekend Retreat

Roan Mountain

Aug. 7-25

Take part in a hybrid online and in-person trainer course designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and experience to offer Leave No Trace Awareness training to the public in both formal and informal settings. Participants who attend all sessions will fulfill all requirements for the 16-hour Leave No Trace trainer course. The registration fee is $160 and includes front-country camping at Roan Mountain’s group site, the 16-hour trainer course, a participant packet, and daily ranger-led recreational activities.