LOCAL NEWS — Looking for an alternative to Black Friday shopping or simply want to walk off some of that Thanksgiving meal? Tims Ford State Park located between Moore County and Franklin County will host a Day After Thanksgiving Hike on Friday, November 26. Hikers should meet at the Lakeview Marina at 8:30 a.m. Park Ranger Dalton Smith will lead the group on a guided hike on the Clifton Doyle Trail, a half mile hiking trail that runs near the Recreation Center south towards the lake. The cost is $10 per person and registration is required. You can register by clicking here.
The After Thanksgiving Hikes are the last of the parks’ Signature Hikes for the year. The Signature Hikes include the First Day Hike on New Year’s Day, the Spring Hike in March, and the National Trails Day Hike in June. In addition to the hike at Tims Ford, the state will offer hikes at South Cumberland State Park in Monteagle, Old Stone Fort State Park in Manchester, and Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill. Information about After Thanksgiving Hikes at individual parks can be found at this link.
The hikes can be guided or self-directed. They vary from easy strolls to more rugged excursions and include options for young and old. The hikes offer the opportunity to enjoy nature as well as the educational aspects and history of the parks. The hikes often take on characteristics of their own. Fort Loudon State Historic Park calls its hike Green Friday. Seven Islands State Birding Park calls it the Gobble Wobble. South Cumberland State Park calls its hike the Turkey Trot.
While everyone is encouraged to participate in the After Thanksgiving Hikes, visitors are reminded that the parks are open 365 days a year. Tennessee State Parks have more than 1,000 miles of trails. For general information about Tennessee State Parks, please click here. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only daily newspaper in Lynchburg. 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.}