The Mid Cumberland Recreation Area

Mid Cumberland Trail compilation Imagine a loop trail where you can walk in near Sparta Tennessee, and walk out at Fall Creek Falls State Park and then back down Bee Creek into the Caney Fork River Gorge and return to your car via Virgin Falls. The total trail system will be over sixty miles long and have more waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and caves per mile than anywhere else in the United States. The Mid-Cumberland Recreation Area is becoming a reality. Beginning with what might be the most under-recognized gift that the state of Tennessee has ever received, the Bridgestone / Firestone Bicentennial Wilderness at the north end, and continuing to the most popular state park in Tennessee; Fall Creek Falls, there is now enough state-owned property in between to make this work. The friends of the Mid-Cumberland Recreation Area meet the fourth Monday of fcfareamap-03042014every even-numbered month. We need numbers. We need names, and email addresses for people who don’t mind letting their representatives know that they are excited about this endeavor. We need avid hikers, cavers, bird-watchers, and paddlers to help plan. Sometimes, we’ll even need a few strong backs to help build and maintain the trail. And last, and perhaps should have been first, we need to know as many obscure features in the area that should be accessible along this trek. If you know locals, hunters, loggers, fishermen, etc.; ask them to share their knowledge and history of the area and report it back to this site. If coordinates, maps or written directions can be provided; that is a plus, and from time to time a Mid-Cumberland t-shirt or cap will be awarded to those providing the data. We would also like to know the treasures that lie in adjoining and nearby properties as well. There is a possibility that we can acquire those lands and add them into this project. When we are done, we will have one of the most admired wilderness trail systems anywhere, right here in our own back yards. There will be over twice as many miles of trail, than in Zion National Park, with more biodiversity than the Smokey Mountains. Time to stock up on Dr. Shoals.

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2 thoughts on “The Mid Cumberland Recreation Area

  1. Andrew tincher

    I am so excited to hear about plans for the mid cumberland trail. I would love to help build and maintain the trail. Please contact me with any info on the trail or meetings about it or anyway I can help. I have traveled alot and the virgin falls natural are is one of the most beautiful places I have hiked in and camped. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Jack Mattson

    Virgin Falls is one of my favorite places to hike. It will be really good to have this included in the Mid-Cumberland Trail. I thank Marvin Bullock for providing information on it.

    Reply

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