Cumberland Mountain State Park
Cumberland Mountain State Park is situated on the Cumberland Plateau, a segment of the great upland, which extends from western New York to central Alabama. It is said to be the largest timbered plateau in America. This 1,720-acre park was acquired in 1938 as a project of the Farm Security Administration to provide a recreational area for some 250 families selected to homestead on the Cumberland Plateau.
The Homestead Museum, located one mile from the park, depicts the Cumberland Homestead Community of the 1930's. This community built the park along with help from the CCC and WPA. The park’s architecture is unique, with buildings constructed of a local rock called Crab Orchard sandstone. The Crab Orchard stone dam/bridge is the park’s best-known landmark and is the largest masonry structure ever built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The biological diversity of the Cumberland Mountain area is remarkable; the park contains every type of tree, shrub, and flower found on the Plateau. A summer walk on the Byrd Lake trail will testify to this claim. The park is home to typical Tennessee mammals such as deer, gray and red fox, rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, skunk, as well as a variety of songbirds and waterfowl.
The park is also home to the Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain, which has been consistently recognized as a top golf course in the southeastern United States. The Jack Nicklaus signature layout features a design that capitalizes on elevation changes, as well as natural features, such as flowing brooks and clustered, mature pines and layered flagstone. The park also hosts a southern style restaurant and three meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 150 people located downstairs in the restaurant.
Fishing
The park offers fishing on Byrd Lake and visitors can expect catches of rainbow trout, catfish, bass, bluegill and bream. Fishing from the bank is allowed except for posted areas.
Hiking
The Park offers 14 miles of hiking trails that wind along the banks of Byrd Lake and deep into the woods of the park. Trails offer a variety of easy to moderate day or overnight hiking experiences. Trail maps are available at the Park Office.
Water Recreation
The park’s 50-acre lake offers some of the finest water recreation. With fishing boats, rowboats, paddleboats, and canoes available for rent, the park guest will enjoy some of the best water fun there is.
An Olympic-size swimming pool will insure the park guests a wonderful time in the water. Cabin guests, campers and the general public are charged an entry fee. Complete with dressing rooms, showers, lounging areas, and a snack bar, the pool is a favorite place for the park guest.
Golfing
A beautifully designed Jack Nicklaus 18-hole course takes advantage of elevation changes as well as natural hazards such as flowing streams and clustered pines. The signature 7th hole incorporates another of the state’s natural resources, layered flagstone. For more information call (931) 707-1640.
Tee times may be reserved by calling the golf course or you may make Online Tee Time Reservations at The Bear Trace Golf Course at Cumberland Mountain.
Camping - Backcountry
There is a place designated on the overnight trail for backcountry camping.
Camping - RV & Tent
Cumberland Mountain park has a combined total of 145 tent and RV campsites with hookups provided. Picnic tables, grills and bathhouse facilities are also provided. There is a $3 shower fee for non-campers. Seven adults are allowed to camp at each site.
Campsites should be reserved in advance by calling the park or you may make Cumberland Mountain Campground Reservations online.
Picnicking
Picnic tables, grills, pavilions, water fountains, and rest- rooms are conveniently located throughout the park. There are four large pavilions capable of accommodating 50 to 75 people and may be reserved with a deposit up to a year in advance by calling the park office.
Bird Watching
The park's wide diversity of animals attracts bird and wildlife watchers.
Jr Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Adventure Guide is divided into Four Steps. Each step covers different topics and offers a selection of fun, hands-on activites. As you complete each activity, you will be one step closer to becoming a Junior Ranger. Topics in Steps 1 & 2 include: Safety, History, Plants, Wildlife, Astronomy and Water. In Step 3 you will create your own stewardship project. In Step 4 you will take your Adventure Guide to the park ranger or park office to take your pledge, receive your badge and become an official Tennessee State Park Junior Ranger.
Call (931) 484-6138 for more information.
Gift Shop
A gift shop inside the park restaurant offers clothing, walking sticks and a wide variety of unique souvenir and gift items.
Meeting Rooms
The park restaurant has 3 meeting rooms downstairs for parties, banquets, and private functions. The largest room can accommodate 125 with 2 smaller rooms accommodating up to 50 each. Handicapped parking is avail- able as well as accessibility inside the facility. To accommodate our groups we have available TV, VCR, DVD, projector screens, P.A system and PC Internet hook-up. Reservations are available by calling (931) 484-7186.
Visitor Center
Visit us at the Cumberland Mountain State Park Visitor Center.
Playgrounds
Activities featured at the park include: basketball, board games, horseshoes, playground, softball, tennis courts ( 4), and volleyball.
Campgrounds
Cumberland Mountain park has a combined total of 145 tent and RV campsites with hookups provided. Picnic tables, grills and bathhouse facilities are also provided. There is a $3 shower fee for non-campers. Seven adults are allowed to camp at each site. Reservations are not taken for campsites.
Cabins/Villas
Rustic cabins are nestled in the woods at Cumberland Mountain State Park and have fully equipped kitchens, cable TV, fireplaces (except single cabins), linens, picnic tables and grills. Firewood is provided for those cabins with fireplaces, October 1 through April 30. Parking is provided in the front of each cabin.
Class A cabins can accommodate two people.
Class AA can accommodate four people.
Class AAA Deluxe can accommodate eight people
Class AAA Timber lodge can accommodate ten people.
Coon Hollow Cabin- can accommodate six people. It has 2 bedrooms upstairs and 1 bedroom downstairs with a double bed in each bedroom. It is fully furnished with all cooking utensils, linens, fireplace, and central heat and air.
The Mill House cabin can accommodate up to 16 people.
Cabins may be reserved up to two years in advance.
Restaurants
The park restaurant serves two meals a day and is open all year except during the Christmas holidays. The dining hall features a beautiful view of the lake and dam, and will seat 200 people. The restaurant has a comfortable smoke-free atmosphere combined with some of the best Southern cuisine in Tennessee. The restaurant is popular for its Catfish on Fridays, smoked ribs and BBQ Saturday Nights and traditional southern country meals.
No Upcoming Events
Check back soon for more events, or visit our event page for events in other parks.
Land was acquired south of Crossville in 1934 as a project of the Farm Security Administration to provide a recreation area for some 250 families selected to homestead in the general area of Cumberland County. The Homestead Act was established by the Roosevelt Administration to aid in building a self-sustaining community and further colonization in this then-sparsely populated part of the state. The Civilian Conservation Corps, the Works Projects Administration and the American Friends Service Committee constructed the park, which opened in 1940.The park sits onthe sandstone tableland of the Cumberland Plateau.
Popular annual events include the CCC hike in February, Kite Day in March, CCC Day in July and Christmas on the Plateau.
Contact Info
24 Office Dr.
Crossville, TN 38555
Phone: 931-484-6138
Phone - Toll Free: 800-250-8618
Email: Ask.TNStateParks@tn.gov
Directions
Take Interstate 40-East from Nashville, West from Knoxville-Exit on #317. Travel south on US Hwy 127 for 9 miles; park entrance is on the right. -----From Knoxville, Take I-40 east, Exit on #322. The park is within 6 miles.
Hours of Operation
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
