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"To
preserve and protect the environmental, cultural, and historical
resources of the Cumberland Trail corridor, to provide related
educational opportunities, and to support park needs."
Mission Statement |
"Many
have walked the trail before you, but none was you."
Mountain Proverb |
"Through
yon wood the trail wanders. Across hill and mountain...
through brook and meadow... arriving finally at peace."
R. Colin
2006 |
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More About the Cumberland Trail
How It All Began
The idea of a hiking trail tracing the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau first
emerged in the 1960s, and the nonprofit Tennessee Trails Association (TTA) was formed in 1968. TTA was
instrumental in crafting legislation for the Tennessee Trail Systems Act of 1971 and the Cumberland Trail
State Scenic Trail (CTSST) was created. From its genesis, the project developed through a partnership
between the State of Tennessee and TTA. Other administrative names have since been attached to the
Stack Rock near Woodson Gap
Responsibility for land acquisition lies with Bob Fulcher, CTSST Park Manager. The CTSST
currently owns 6,355 acres in fee simple and has easements on 907 acres, making it the 7th largest
Tennessee State Park. The Friends group will certainly play a key role in fundraising and developing
community relationships to further land acquisition efforts.
The Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail is managed by the State Park system with five park
rangers and three offices to cover the 300+-mile trail corridor. Additional rangers will be phased into
the program over the next few years.
North Trail Office/Headquarters
220 Park Road
Caryville, TN 37714
(423) 566-2229
Bob Fulcher, Park Manager
Jim Brannon, Park Ranger/GIS Database Manager
Linda Daugherty, Office Manager
Mid-Trail Office
409 Thurman Ave. Suite 101
Crossville, TN 38555
(931) 484-0693
Ken Mathews, Park Ranger/Communications & Property Officer
Joey Carlton, Park Ranger/Safety & Security Officer
South Trail Office
P. O. Box 571
Soddy, TN 37379
(423) 332-7394
Andrew Wright, Park Ranger/Resource Management
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Q: What's currently open for hiking?
A: Volunteers have completed 144 miles of trail in 11 segments of the Cumberland Trail.
- Claiborne County – 2 miles in Cumberland Gap National Park
- Campbell County – 23 miles from LaFollette to Royal Blue WMA.
- Morgan County – 21 miles in Frozen Head State Park and Obed/Catoosa
- Cumberland County – 15 miles on Black and Brady Mtns in Grassy Cove
- Rhea County – 17 miles in Piney River, Stinging Fork, and Laurel Snow PWA's
- Hamilton County – 36 miles in Rock, Possum, Soddy Creeks and Tennessee River Gorge
- Marion/Sequatchie County – 30 miles in Tennessee River Gorge/Prentice Cooper WMA
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Q: How can I get trail maps?
A: Contact the Cumberland Trail Conference office at (931) 456-6259 or email cumberlandtrail@rocketmail.com,
or you can download maps from CTC website at www.cumberlandtrail.org
Q: Are there campsites along the trail?
A: Yes, there are designated backcountry campsites along the trail. You can also "car camp" and access the
trail for day hikes at state parks, wildlife management areas, or pocket wilderness areas along the Cumberland Trail, such as
Cumberland Gap National Park in Cumberland Gap, Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg,
Obed Wild & Scenic River and Recreation Area in Wartburg, Black Mountain State Natural Area in Crossville, Piney
RIver Pocket Wilderness in Spring City, and Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area in Chattanooga.
Q: Are there wheelchair accessible areas on the trail?
A: Yes, there is a ¼ mile wheelchair accessible portion of the Cumberland Trail in the Rock Creek Segment in Soddy Daisy. Additional sections are planned for the future.
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