Glowing Worms, Natural Arches: Beautiful Pickett State Park Is Spectacular

Glowing Worms, Natural Arches: Beautiful Pickett State Park Is Spectacular.

From blue glow worms, natural sandstone bridges amongst a hardwood forest, and the Southeast’s only designated Dark Sky Park, there’s a lot to discover in Tennessee’s Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.

 

If experiencing peaceful natural outdoor attractions please you then don’t miss what this Tennessee state park offers. Most people travel to the more popular Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area for outdoor recreation, thus making Pickett less crowded. Truth is, mainly locals visit Pickett State Park so it quietly remains a hidden gem.

 

You will easily understand why Pickett State Park is worth adding to your Tennessee itinerary to truly experience one of the Southeast’s best state parks.

 

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park History

 

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park began in 1933 when the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company donated nearly 12,000 acres to the state of Tennessee. Between 1934 – 1942 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the donated land into a forest recreation area for the public to use. Initially, they built a ranger station, 12 acre Arch Lake, five rustic cabins, a recreation lodge, and hiking trails.

 

The park is located 14 miles north of Jamestown, Tennessee on Highway 154 and borders the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

 

The park is open year-round and has free admission. You can rent one of the 20 cabins or camp in the 32 campsites with electricity provided. Bring your dog too since it’s pet-friendly.

 

Why Seeking Dark-Sky Experiences Is Important

 

For us, a quiet nighttime place surrounded by natural beauty is sought after when traveling. We enjoy escaping noises and distractions from everyday life. Albeit, this doesn’t happen nearly as much as it should.

 

One of our favorite memories was at Arches National Park. As the sun lowered, we drove back inside. To our surprise, the congestion of cars and people left with only a few stragglers remaining. We drove around the park watching the last glimpses of daylight disappear until the sun’s glow changed into pitch black. The night became so dark that we didn’t see the only car remaining in one parking lot until our headlights turned onto it. All alone, we found our parking spot then pulled out our fold-up camp chairs from the back. Each levitating star hovered by itself to become the brightest lights in the darkest sky we’ve seen.

 

The saying that silence is golden had a significant meaning that night. After a nice time enjoying deep reflection without any distractions, we felt satisfied. We enjoyed sharing our time alone with the night sky for one and a half hours before deciding to go back to our hotel. Have you ever felt this way?

 

Since then, we seek outdoor places where quietness allows us to think and ponder.

 

Pickett State Park’s Dark-Sky Designation

 

In 2015, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, along with neighboring Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, earned a Silver-tier International Dark Sky Park designation from the International Dark-Sky Association. The International Dark-Sky Association pursues eliminating light pollution worldwide.

 

In fact, Pickett State Park became the first state park in the southeast to earn the distinguished certification.

 

This award is based on their commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the night sky. Year-round scheduled astronomy activities include dark sky viewings, workshops in night photography, astrophotography, star parties, eclipses, the milky way, telescopes, creating star charts, and learning about constellations.

 

To get to the astronomy field go to the Pogue Creek Canyon parking lot located off of Highway 154. Walk above the gravel parking lot to the stargazing field.

 

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Pickett State Park Natural Bridges And Hiking Trails

Hiking in Pickett State Park is fun because its trails lead to natural bridges, rock shelters, bluffs, and forests. We’ve highlighted a few.

 

The Island Trail is a short .30 mile loop that goes across Arch Lake over a natural sandstone arch. It passes through the forest with mountain laurel, and wild blueberries. You’ll also come across a historic CCC trail shelter.

 

Hike on the Natural Bridge Trail to see Pickett State Park’s most popular natural bridge. The easy 1.00 mile trail passes through a hardwood forest to the sandstone bridge which spans 86 feet in length and 35 feet high.

 

Another easy hike, the .20 mile Indian Rockhouse Trail, leads to an impressive overhanging rock shelter. You’ll feel tiny when standing inside this massive shelter on its sand floor.

 

Take the .85 mile moderate level John Muir Trail for a fun hike crossing over streams and through a historic railroad tunnel. Don’t forget to take photos!

 

Looking for a longer hike? Take the 7.80 moderate level Hidden Passage Trail to see a wide range of sights. This trail rambles through hardwood forests and showcases several miles of sandstone bluffs along with rock shelters, Crystal Falls, and a natural arch.

 

Take The Hazard Cave Trail To See Glow Worms

 

Although Pickett State Park possesses many beautiful natural wonders, choose the Hazard Cave Trail for a unique experience only found in two places within the United States. The 1.60 mile moderate level loop follows sandstone bluffs and native rhododendrons through the hardwood forest to Hazard Cave, which is home to a rare species of blue glowing worms. They really aren’t worms but insect larvae of the fungus gnat. Larvae release a blue glowing light on the cave walls that look like stars in the night sky reflecting on the ground. They glow year-round however your best chance to see them is in early June when they are their brightest. In any case, you can only see them by taking a tour with a park ranger.

 

 

What To Do In Pickett State Park

• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Waterfalls
• Picnic
• Camping
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Astronomy

Final Thoughts

We enjoyed several visits to Pickett State Park when we lived nearby. From the park’s easy and fun hiking trails, picnic area, or walking across the man-made swinging bridge, we always found something interesting and we left more relaxed each time.

People flock to natural outdoor beauty and you’ll realize how popular the area is when you see the constant stream of horse trailers, ATV trailers, kayakers, and campers going to Big South Fork from all over the Southeast. Luckily, Pickett State Park doesn’t get the attention of its neighbor.

Located halfway between Nashville and Knoxville, and north of Interstate 40 at Crossville, go ahead and take the exit for an experience you’ll remember.

 

Thanks for reading Glowing Worms, Natural Arches: Beautiful Pickett State Park Is Spectacular.

Tom and Kristi

 

PS. Please share this with anyone else that would enjoy it!

 

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