Tennessee State Parks will celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 4 with free guided hikes at all 56 state parks including several parks in southern, middle Tennessee. The events come as National Trails Day celebrates its 30th anniversary and Tennessee State Parks celebrate their 85th anniversary.

This is one of four signature hikes the park system hosts every year. The National Trails Day Hikes are the third of the state’s annual Signature Hikes, following the First Day Hikes and Spring Hikes, with the last being After-Thanksgiving Hikes on Nov. 25. Tennessee State Parks will offer a variety of ranger-led day hikes, night hikes, history hikes, nature hikes, or trail clean-up hikes on Saturday.

Here are several happening right here in southern, middle Tennessee:

1 | Tims Ford State Park National Trails Day Hike: Join Park Ranger Mark Matzkiw for an approximate 2.5 mile easy to moderate hike at Tims Ford State Park in Franklin County. The hike will take place from 9-11 a.m. Hikers should meet at the park office. The event is free but donations will be accepted. You can register by clicking here.

2 | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park Walk for Statehood: Nashville’s state park, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, will combine National Trails Day activities with the Capitol Complex’s celebration of Tennessee’s statehood. Throughout the day Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State Library and Archives will be offering tours, and activities. The beginning of June is not only the anniversary of Tennessee’s Statehood but is also the anniversary of the founding of Tennessee State Parks 85 years ago. The event starts at 9 a.m. and registration is required. Follow this link to save your spot.

3 | Henry Horton State Park: Henry Horton State Park in nearby Chapel Hill will offer not one but three National Trails Day Hikes. The Duck River Hike will begin at 8 a.m. The Hickory Ridge Trail Hike will begin at 12 p.m. and the Wetland Trail hike will begin at 6:30 p.m. Click the links associated with each time to register for your event.

4 | Old Stone Fort Prehistoric Native American Hike: Join Ranger Eric and explore the prehistoric Native American walls at Old Stone Fort. Along this hike, hikers will learn about those that constructed the walls, why they are so important, and the history of Old Stone Fort up to the present. Hikers will also pass three waterfalls along the way on this approximately 1.25 miles long hike that will take around 1.5 hours to complete and is considered moderate-difficult. The hike will begin at 11 a.m. and registration is required.

5| South Cumberland Day Loop Hike: Park Ranger Mark Greenwood will lead hikers on a five mile round trip guided hike of the Savage Gulf Day Loop. This will be a basic, introductory hike to the east side of Savage Gulf but the areas around overlooks can be treacherous in terms of keeping your footing. The hike begins at 1:30 p.m. and pre-registration is required. Follow this link to register.

All hikers for all events should wear sturdy shoes, preferably hiking boots, and bring their own water. To learn about other National Trails Day hike, click here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally-owned newspaper in Lynchburg and also the only woman-owned newspaper in Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}