Over 10 State Natural Areas and Parks you need to visit in Southern Middle Tennessee
Updated: Nov 13, 2021
The south central region is home to several amazing natural areas including Hawkins Cove in Sewanee, Natural Bridge in Sewanee, Walls of Jericho in Belvidere, Harry Lee Carter Natural Area in Sherwood, Short Springs in Tullahoma, May Prairie in Manchester, Duck River Complex in Maury County, Stillhouse Hollow Falls in Summertown, John Noel at Bon Aqua, Devils Backbone in Hohenwald, and Wells Hill Park in Fayetteville.
Hawkins Cove State Natural Area
Hawkins Cove is a 249-acre natural area located in Franklin County. It was originally acquired by The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee and then sold to the State to protect a population of Cumberland rosinweed (Silphium brachiatum). Cumberland rosinweed is a type of sunflower found only on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. It was first described in 1800s by Augustin Gattinger in this same general vicinity. The forest within the natural area consists mostly of oaks and hickories occurring on a north facing colluvial slope. A powerline right-of-way traverses the property and an old railroad grade forms the eastern boundary. There are a few small limestone cedar barrens found scattered on the property. These barrens and openings provide the best habitat for the Cumberland rosinweed. The natural area is part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area. Site Management South Cumberland Recreation Area, Route 1, Box 2196, Monteagle, TN 37356, phone (931) 924-2980. Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Open to the Public - Limited Parking or hiking trails are not provided at this time. Hunting is allowed in the area by permit. Contact the South Cumberland Recreation Area office to obtain a permit. The natural area is operated by Tennessee State Parks. Call South Cumberland Recreation Area or the Division of Natural Areas for additional information.
Access: Parking: Yes Trail: No Dogs on Leash: No Hunting: Specific reg. Fishing: Yes Camping: No Directions Hawkins Cove is located halfway between Sewanee and Cowan along the south side of Highway Alt. US 41. Details & Map
Map to Hawkins Cove
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Sewanee 7.5-minute quadrangle
Cumberland Plateau Physiographic Province
Designated in 1985
Natural Bridge State Natural Area
Natural Bridge is a three-acre natural area located in Franklin County. Natural Bridge is a 25 feet high natural sandstone arch with a span of 50 feet that provides a scenic overlook of Lost Cove. There is a wet weather spring associated with a rock house located behind the natural bridge. The spring probably contributed to the formation of the arch. Lost Cove is a large karst formation on the dissected section of the Cumberland Plateau. It is essentially a giant sinkhole. Lost Creek flows into the valley and disappears into Lost Cove Cave at the Big Sinks and re-emerges as Crow Creek from Buggytop Cave within Mr. & Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area. The site also has been referred to as Sewanee Natural Bridge since the University of the South in Sewanee once owned it. The natural area is a part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area. Site Management South Cumberland Recreation Area, 11745 US 41, Monteagle, TN 37356, phone (931) 924-2980. Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243-0447, phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Open to the Public - Full Access Parking and a short hiking trail is provided. The natural area is operated by Tennessee State Parks. Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: No Camping: No Directions Natural Bridge is located south of Sewanee. The natural area is accessed via Highway Alt. 41. In Sewanee turn south onto Highway 56 and proceed 2.5 miles to Natural Bridge Road. Turn left onto Natural Bridge Road and proceed one half mile to the parking area. Details & Map
Map to Natural Bridge
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Sewanee 7.5-minute quadrangle
Cumberland Plateau Physiographic Province
Designated in 1973
Walls of Jericho State Natural Area
The Walls of Jericho is a 750-acre natural area that is within the 8,943-acre Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is contiguous to the Skyline WMA in Alabama. Both of the public lands on the Tennessee and Alabama side total 21,453 acres. The initiative to acquire this land was a lengthy project completed by The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee and Alabama. The natural area is approximately twelve miles south of Winchester in southern Franklin County. The southern boundary of the natural area follows the Alabama Tennessee state line where the actual “Walls of Jericho” is located. The “Walls” is an impressive geological feature that forms a large bowl-shaped amphitheater. Embedded in the limestone are bowling ball size holes from which water drips and spouts, creating a unique water feature. This amphitheater gives rise to steep 200-foot sheer rock walls that create the natural feature defining the amphitheater. Turkey Creek drains through the “Walls” and has been an active geological force in creating the amphitheater. The natural area forest is comprised of maples, oaks, hickories, tulip tree, American beech, eastern red cedar, and many other plants commonly associated with limestone. The forestland beyond the “Walls” feature is noteworthy with its many bluffs, large rock outcroppings, caves, and sinkholes. Not only is the “Walls” significant as a geological feature, but the natural area is also important because of its biological richness. The Turkey Creek drainage, which bisects the natural area from north to south, supports the state-endangered rare limerock arrowwood (Viburnum bracteatum). This is one of only three known occurrences in the state. Other rare species occur in the Turkey Creek watershed. The protection of Turkey Creek also helps protect downstream the Upper Paint Rock watershed where numerous rare mussel and fish species occur in the Paint Rock River. Site Management TWRA, P.O. Box 41489, Nashville, TN 37204, phone 615-781-6622. Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Open to the Public - Full Access The access on the Tennessee side connects to the existing trail on the Alabama side that takes you to the Walls. There is no horseback riding permitted or hunting allowed in the natural area.\ Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: Yes Camping: No Directions From Nashville take I-24 east toward Chattanooga. Take exit 127 on Highway 64 and turn toward Winchester. Stay on Highway 64 for about 15 miles and turn south on Hwy 16 and go 16 miles to the trailhead on the Tennessee side. The Alabama trailhead is approximately two miles south of the Tennessee trailhead and one mile south of the state line. Details & Map
Map to Walls of Jericho
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Pitcher Ridge 7.5-minute quadrangle
Cumberland Plateau Physiographic Province
Designated in 2006
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area
The Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter Natural Area is a 931-acre natural area located in Franklin County that is part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area. Named after the couple who donated the land to the State, this natural area protects part of a large solution valley associated with the karst erosional processes characteristic of the Cumberland Plateau escarpment. A significant cave system extends from Lost Cove to the head of Crow Creek. The stream systems draining into Lost Cove disappear into the Lost Cove Cave at the Big Sinks and travel underground for over a mile, emerging at the main entrance Buggytop Cave. This impressive cave entrance is 100 feet wide and 80 feet high. Peter Cave is the other main cave entrance. There have been considerable archeological artifacts of the Woodland and Mississippian period excavated from the entrance. The artifacts are on display at the University of the South in Sewanee. The cave environment is fragile. Visitors that choose to explore the cave should be careful not to disturb any formations or small animals that may be seen. The area is also home to several rare species of plants, animals and unique plant communities. Examples of rare plants include Cumberland rosinweed (Silphium brachiatum) and Eggert's sunflower (Helianthus eggertii). The forested area abounds with oaks, hickories, maples, and many shrubs. A rich mixed mesophytic forest is found in the cove near the cave entrance. This forest community has numerous dominant species that include sugar maple, buckeye, tulip poplar, buckeye, and basswood. Many of the slopes and spurs are an oak-hickory forest community with white oak prevalent on mid slopes and scarlet, black, and chestnut oak occurring on drier upper slopes. A new forest is forming here to replace the forest removed by past logging activities. There is also a limestone barrens community above the Buggytop Cave entrance that is home to native grasses and other barrens plants like liatris, rattlesnake master, and agave. The natural area has a wonderful spring wildflower display that adds much seasonal color to the forest floor. Site Management South Cumberland Recreation Area, 11745 US 41 Monteagle, TN 37356, phone (931) 924-2980. Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243-0447, phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Open to the Public - Full Access. Parking and hiking trails are provided. The natural area is operated by Tennessee State Parks. There is a parking area and a 2-mile (one way) hiking trail provided. Cave tours are available. Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: No Camping: No Directions To Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter Natural Area: take exit 134 off I-24, turn left to Sewanee, then turn left on Highway 56. Continue 10 miles to the parking area located on the left. To South Cumberland Recreation Area: take exit 134 off I-24 and turn right to Monteagle then turn left on Highway 41/56 to Tracy City. Continue for three miles to the visitor center located on the left. Details & Map
Map to Carter (Harry Lee)
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Sinking Cove & Sewanee 7.5-minute quadrangles
Cumberland Plateau Physiographic Province
Designated in 1975
Short Springs State Natural Area
Short Springs is a 420-acre natural area located in Coffee County approximately three and a half miles northeast of Tullahoma. The natural area provides excellent contrast between the Highland Rim and Central Basin geology and vegetation. When descending along the Machine Falls trail, a visitor can observe exposed black Chattanooga shale at mid-slope, which is a formation that delineates the Central Basin from the Highland Rim. Thickets of mountain laurel grow on the upper slopes under a dry oak-hickory forest canopy that is characteristic of Highland Rim vegetation. The lower slopes and riparian areas along Bobo Creek support towering sycamore, buckeye, magnolia, beech, and tulip poplar trees with a rich shrub layer and herbaceous cover. Short Springs is one of the very best spring wildflower locations in the state. In the spring, moist slopes are covered in trout lilies, Virginia bluebells, jack-in-the-pulpit, larkspur, and Dutchman's breeches. Large flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflora), southern red trillium (Trillium sulcatum), and barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) are uncommon plants for Middle Tennessee that occur here. The natural area also supports two state-listed endangered plant species, Nestronia (Nestronia umbellula) and broad-leaved bunchflower (Melanthium latifolium). This biological diversity is related to the rich forest slopes and ravines, low cascades, springs and waterfalls that support it. Scenic features like Machine Falls drops more than 60 feet and is nearly equal in length across. The Upper and Lower Busby Falls on Bobo Creek are two prominent cascading waterfalls that can be seen from overlooks on the Bobo Creek trail. The steep escarpment with its numerous wet weather seeps are particularly impressive during the moist winter and spring months. Water is a significant feature at Short Springs as it once was the water supply for Tullahoma before construction of Normandy Dam. Site Management Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Public access is allowed. *Parking is extremely limited at Short Springs SNA. If parking spots are unavailable, the area has met its maximum capacity and visitors may not park in non-designated areas to enter the site. Consider visiting this site during weekdays or other non-peak times to ensure ability to park and enter the natural area. Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: No Camping: No Directions Proceeding north on Jackson St. (US 41A), from the business district, turn right on Hogan St. (at Jiffy Lube, 4 blocks), turn left on Country Club Dr. (at the small grocery store, 5 blocks). Country Club becomes Short Springs Rd; follow for several miles to the Short Springs water tower on the right. Short Springs Natural Area is on the left. Details & Map
Map to Short Springs
Owned by the State of Tennessee, TVA, & the City of Tullahoma
Normandy Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle
Eastern Highland Rim Physiographic Province
Designated in 1994
May Prairie State Natural Area
May Prairie is a 492-acre natural area in Coffee County near Manchester. The most impressive feature at May Prairie is the open grassland community that protrudes into the surrounding oak forest where the oak barrens begin. The open grassland is primarily comprised of a little bluestem community and a tall grass prairie community with an occasional sedge meadow found in wet depressions. A swamp forest forms the headwaters of what once was the "prairie tributary." The tall grass prairie component with big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and plume grass (Erianthus giganteus) tend to follow the old prairie tributary. The little bluestem community represents the drier end of the prairie gradient and is prevalent throughout the open grassland. In spring, the little bluestem community provides a splendid floral display of orange, blue, and white color as Indian paintbrush, false indigo, and bluets appear in full bloom. In late summer many species of sunflower are common with the rare southern dock (Silphium pinnatifidum) and two species of blazing star (Liatris spicata and L. microcephala) prominently flowering.
May Prairie is one of the State's most floristically diverse natural areas with 25 of its more than 300 plant species that occur here considered rare in Tennessee. It supports disjunct plants known from the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains including the only state location for both the snowy orchid (Platanthera nivea) and the coastal false-asphodel (Tofieldia racemosa). In addition, May Prairie has many species common to the Midwest tall grass prairie that are unusual in the Southeast. May Prairie was discovered during a botany foray in 1947 by Dr. A. J. Sharp and colleagues from the University of Tennessee while stopping for lunch at the Prairie Café. They were told that a prairie could be found behind the restaurant. Management goals at May Prairie include restoring hydrology (including the prairie tributary) where draining for agriculture had occurred, and controlling the woody vegetation encroachment. Prescribed burning is a management tool used in the open grassland and in the oak barrens here. There are a large number of acres of restorable oak barrens associated with the natural area.
May Prairie is also recognized by the Department of the Interior as a National Natural Landmark. Site Management Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Open to the Public - Limited Access Parking is available on Asbury Rd. No trails. This area is open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset, but has no developed trails. Parking: Yes Trail: No Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: No Camping: No Directions From I-24 take the Manchester exist 114. Proceed south on U.S. 41 away from Manchester for approximately one mile. May Prairie is on the north side of U.S. 41 across from an auto salvage business. A small parking area for the WMA is on Asbury Road on the right about one and a half miles off of U.S. 41. Details & Map
Map to May Prairie
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Manchester 7.5-minute quadrangle
Eastern Highland Rim Physiographic Province
Designated in 1973
Duck River Complex State Natural Area
The Duck River Complex is a 2612-acre natural area complex in Maury County that consists of five natural areas within the 12,800-acre Yanahli Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It is managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency as a WMA. Natural areas within the WMA support federal and state-listed species associated with the globally rare Middle Tennessee Cedar Glade and Barrens Ecosystem. These include the Columbia Glade (327-acres), Moores Lane Glade (331-acres), Howard Bridge Glade (321-acres) and Sowell Mill (306-acres).. Rare plants found here include the federally endangered leafy prairie-clover (Dalea foliosa), limestone blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana var. gattingeri), limestone fame-flower (Talinum calcaricum), Tennessee milk-vetch (Astragalus tennesseensis), Duck River bladderpod (Lesquerella densipila) and glade cress (Leavenworthia exigua var. exigua). The Rummage Cave site (50 acres) supports a rare woodrat population and the federally endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens). It is a short horizontal cave that terminates in five successive oval rooms about 15-feet high and 30 feet wide. Cheeks Bend (800-acres) includes high quality representative cedar glades, scenic bluffs overlooking the Duck River, and extensive cedar and hardwood forests. The importance of the Duck River Complex is also enhanced because of its association with the Duck River State Scenic River. There are thirteen miles of the 30-mile state scenic river corridor that flows through this 12,800-acre public land. The Duck River is noted for rich faunal diversity particularly the several federal endangered mussel species that occur there. These natural areas were designated to assure that federal and state-listed species were protected when TVA transferred the Columbia Dam lands to the State for public use. There is a parking area and a two-mile trail at Cheeks Bend that has bluff vistas. Site Management Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, PO Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204, phone (615) 781-6500; Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243 phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Open to the Public - Full Access There is a two mile trail and parking area at Cheeks Bend. Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: Yes, observe safety zones near trails Fishing: Yes Camping: No Directions The parking area at Cheeks Bend is on Cheeks Bend Road one mile south of Sowell Mill Pike approximately two miles east of I-65. From I-65 exit to highway 412/99 and head west approximately one mile and turn left on Rock Springs Road and go approximately four miles to Sowell Mill Pike and turn left and go approximately three miles and turn right on Cheeks Bend Road. Details & Map
Map to Duck River Complex
Map to Cheeks Bend
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Columbia, Glendale & Verona 7.5-minute quadrangles
Central Basin Physiographic Province
Designated in 2002
Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area
Stillhouse Hollow Falls is a 90-acre state natural area located approximately 21 miles southwest of Columbia and three miles northeast of Summertown off Hwy US 43 in Maury County. The natural area is on the Western Highland Rim in the Duck River watershed. The geology of this region creates scenic natural features such as seeps, flat shale-bottom streams, and waterfalls, both small and large, which help shape the region’s dissected topography. The natural area is named for its most significant feature, Stillhouse Hollow Falls, which can be seen by walking approximately 2/3 of a mile along the Stillhouse Hollow Falls trail. The trail crosses an unnamed tributary that forms small scenic cascades before plunging approximately 75 feet over the falls. A deep hollow is formed below the falls that is surrounded by steep slopes where wet-weather springs emerge contributing to a rich habitat supporting a colorful spring wildflower display of trillium, spiderwort, wild geranium, phlox and many other species. The beginning of the trail to the falls passes by a showy shrub layer of oak-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), Alabama azalea (Rhododendron alabamense), deerberry and downy mock-orange (Philadelphus pubescens). The forest on the lower slopes and along the stream is comprised of a canopy of large sugar maples, sycamores, white oaks, beeches, and tulip poplars beneath which grow many species of shrubs such as spicebush, pawpaw, and alder. On the steeper slopes below the waterfall, bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) and pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) are plentiful. The surrounding upper slopes and the steeper dry ridges are where large oaks and hickories dominate the forest canopy. Stillhouse Hollow Falls was designated a state natural area in 2006 and is protected in perpetuity under the Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1971. It was acquired by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation (TPGF) and then sold to the State at a reduced cost. The TPGF provided a trail development grant to the Friends of Maury County Parks and the Tennessee Trails Association that facilitated opening the natural area to the public on June 3, 2006. The grant money was used to develop the small parking area, provide signage, build the kiosk, and develop the trails. Site Management Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Maury County Parks and Recreation Department, 1018 Maury County Park Drive, Columbia, TN 38401 phone (931) 375-6101. Public Access Open to the Public - Full Access Hiking trails are provided. *Parking is extremely limited at Stillhouse Hollow Falls SNA. If parking spots are unavailable, the area has met its maximum capacity and visitors may not park in non-designated areas to enter the site. Consider visiting this site during weekdays or other non-peak times to ensure the ability to park and enter the natural area. Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: No Camping: No Directions From Nashville, take I-65 south to exit 53 onto TN-396 west (Saturn Pkwy); from TN-396 merge onto US-31 south and go approximately 8 miles to the intersection with US-412/43; turn right onto US-412/43 and stay on US-43 for approximately 21 miles. The natural area parking lot will be on the right. Details & Map
Map to Stillhouse Hollow Falls
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Summertown 7.5-minute quadrangle
Western Highland Rim Physiographic Province
Designated in 2006
John Noel at Bon Aqua State Natural Area
John Noel at Bon Aqua State Natural Area is a 35-acre area located in Hickman County. It supports a small remnant forest that has old growth forest characteristics. The forest has a diversity of species including towering white oak trees with extraordinarily large diameter trunks. The white oaks are a dominant canopy species here and are estimated to be more than two or three centuries old. Their monetary value as veneer quality wood is why stands of white oak trees of this stature long since disappeared from our landscapes. A mix of other impressive size and old age-class trees are found in this forest. Tulip poplar trees, along with various species of hickory and other oak species are also impressive size trees. This white oak mesic forest community includes sugar maple, American beech, ash, persimmon, cherry, elm species, and sassafras. Another interesting component of this forest is umbrella magnolia (Magnolia tripetala), which is a relatively uncommon species on the Western Highland Rim but is common here in the understory. Other shrub and understory species include flowering dogwood, American holly, black haw, spicebush, redbud, pawpaw, hop hornbeam, and hearts-bustin (Euonymus americanus). The forest here also has historic significance. It was once a part of the property where the Bon Aqua Hotel and health spa stood. This enterprise occurred between the mid-1800s to the 1920s. Some ruins of its foundation are still present on the adjacent private property, which today is a National Historic Registry site. This was also the location for the first meeting of the Tennessee Bar Association in 1882. It is likely that there was some limited small-scale manipulation of the forest during this time. The forest was said to have had a few small cabins built on it. The natural area occurs on a gentle hill and is mainly flat on top with its sides sloping gently to the north and northwest. Site Management Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Public Access Public access is permitted. There is a small three vehicle parking area located just off Old Hwy 46 (see directions). Beginning at the parking area is a one-mile loop trail that circles through the natural area before leading back to the parking area, providing an opportunity to view the trees for which this natural area was established. Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: No Camping: No Directions From I-40 take exit 172 onto Hwy 46 and proceed south 4.8 miles and turn right after the post office onto Church Rd. Go 1.5 miles and turn left onto Old Highway 46 (the Storytellers Museum is on the corner at this intersection) and travel approximately 7/10 of a mile to the natural area parking lot on the left. Details & Map
Map to John Noel at Bon Aqua
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Bon Aqua Springs 7.5-minute quadrangle
Western Highland Rim Physiographic Province
Designated in 2007
Devil's Backbone State Natural Area
Devil's Backbone is a 950-acre natural area in Lewis County. Devil's Backbone offers a visitor the opportunity for a quiet hike adjacent the Natchez Trace Parkway. The trail follows the ridges of Tennessee's Highland Rim and drops down along a creek into a hollow and back again along the ridge. This inviting walk provides time for enjoying nature and quiet reflection. The approximately three mile trail is a moderately strenuous loop with about 200 feet of elevation change. Devil's Backbone has a diversity of community types that are representative of the Western Highland Rim. Examples of these include: 1) White Oak-Northern Red Oak-Hickory Forest 2) Chestnut Oak Forest 3) Chestnut Oak-Black Oak-Hickory Forest 4) Beech-Tuliptree-White Oak-Sugar Maple Forest 5) Chestnut Oak-Shortleaf Pine Forest 6) White Oak-Northern Red Oak-Tuliptree Forest 7) Scarlet Oak-Southern Red Oak-Mockernut Hickory Forest and 8) Sycamore-Tuliptree-Beech Forest. Not many high quality examples of Western Highland Rim forest communities are known to exist because of present and past land use patterns. While Devil's Backbone represents second or third growth forest, it is unlikely many other sites on the Western Highland Rim will be identified that better represent the region's upland vegetative types. The forested area outside the existing boundary provides an important buffer and creates a much larger landscape scale ecosystem. The integrity is further improved since there is little exotic pest plant invasion compared to many other areas in the region. Another value relates to its recognition as a Class 1 scenic - recreation area. It can support day use activities and provide education opportunities regarding natural area values without impairing sensitive ecological areas. This opportunity is enhanced because of its location along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Site Management Division of Natural Areas, Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson TN 38305, phone (731) 512-1369. Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Natchez Trace Parkway, 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 33804-9715, phone (800) 305-7417. Public Access Public access is allowed. Parking and a hiking trail are provided. Parking: Yes Trail: Yes Dogs on Leash: Yes Hunting: No Fishing: No Camping: No Directions Devil's Backbone State Natural Area is located near Hohenwald on the Natchez Trace Parkway. From Nashville, head southwest on the Parkway to mile marker 394 where a large sign points to the parking area. From Highway 412, head northeast on the Natchez Trace for about 3 miles, the entrance is on the left. Details & Map
Map of Devil's Backbone (This map is a georeferenced PDF)
Google Map Directions
Owned by the State of Tennessee
Gordonsburg 7.5-minute quadrangle
Western Highland Rim Physiographic Province
Designated in 1997