STATE NEWS | Outdoors — The Tennessee Stat Park system encourages Tennesseans to skip the Black Friday shopping and head to the nearest state park instead. They’ll offer free After Thanksgiving Hikes … many at parks right here is southern, middle Tennessee:

1 | Tims Ford State Park in Winchester: Burn off that turkey and dressing with a 2.5 miles hike around the Lost Creek Overlook Trail. It meanders along Tims Ford Lake and features two suspension bridges. The hike is moderately strenuous and leashed dogs are welcome. Meet at the Park Office Parking Lot at 570 Tims Ford Drive at 9 a.m. Click here for more info.

2 | Old Stone Fort in Manchester: Combine natural history with the great outdoors in a historical hike at Old Stone Fort. It’s a prehistoric mound site created by Woodland People over 2,000 year ago. Rangers will talk about the unique history of the area while hikers enjoy scenic rivers and waterfalls in an easy 1.25 mile hike. Meet at the museum located inside the park at 732 Stone Fort Drive at 1 p.m. Click here for more info.

3 | Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill: Hike the newly established Spring Creek Trail with Park Rangers Shaun. The fall colors should be peaking and hikers might see wild turkey and deer along the trail. Ranger Shaun will also discuss the history of the area and the Duck River. It’s four miles round trip. Meet at Whilhoite Mill Parking Lot at 11 a.m. Click here for more info.

4 | South Cumberland State Park in Monteagle: The Stone Door overlook is on of the most scenic areas in southern, middle Tennessee. With fall colors near their peak, this easy two mile hike will allow you to burn off those Thanksgiving calories and enjoy the great outdoors. Meet at 1183 Stone Door Road in Beersheeba Spring at 2 p.m. Click here for more info.•

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering 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.}