Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
This historic Native American site is perfect for history and archaeology buffs. There is also a museum and theater to offer multiple tools to learn about the history behind this site. There are also a few hiking trails in this 400 acre space. More information on this park and many more can be found at the TN State Parks website.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
283 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
75
Average
33
Poor
6
Terrible
4
marfita
Greenwood, SC378 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Easily found, has small museum and gift shop. You can stroll the interior perimeter or take your chances with the tree roots (but lovely shade and impressive view of the earthworks) around the outside. Side trips take you down to the rivers or of views of the waterfalls. With my gamey leg, it tested my limits but a young person should have no trouble.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Statdani
Nashville, TN83 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We visited for the first time. A small museum has a gift shop and restroom. Restrooms were clean. Parking is not great. We went on July 4th, and would recommend going early. We arrived by 10 AM, and when we left at noon, folks were struggling to find parking. Great park with relatively easy (by natural area standards) hikes/walks. A little more strenuous to get to the water, but worth the effort. Easy to wade above the waterfalls. We did not walk the entire park due to time, but we will return when it is not a holiday. I recommend the $2 map as it gives trail distances.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dclaireprince
Memphis, TN66 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We took a ranger led hike. So incredibly interesting!!! Beautiful scenery, incredible history, nice little museum, very helpful rangers. We went with 3 little boys ages 7-8 and they loved it too!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff P
St. Marys, GA334 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
The original settlers knew a special setting when they found it. Ancient Native Americans made this a sacred place for ceremonies thousands of years ago. It still offers fantastic scenery and waterfall after waterfall during the short (under three miles, even with side trails to the river bank) hike. Easy walking trail and a few more rustic trails along the river. Really a beautiful quick hike.
Written February 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cody C
Welling, OK5 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Fairly good camping experience. Trails were nice and well marked, some good waterfall areas! The campsites were nice, we enjoyed the fire pits and camp tables being located behind the parking area for your camper. The camper parking is pretty tight we did not have room to open the canopy due to trees, and the sites are all pretty close together.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
Glasgow, KY212 contributions
Jul 2020
A good short easy trail with several rewarding cascades and waterfalls. The small gift shop/visitor center is worth a quick look. The Indian walls / ruins are interesting. Limited parking was a monster to deal with but keeps the crowds down too. It's a good day trip.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lonewulf44
Springville, IN303 contributions
Jun 2021
Wow, what a lovely little park and a great place for a solid visit, or especially for a day trip. I wish we could have stayed a lot longer and I plan on returning but for the entire day. A nice trail circles the park core land, and a nice visitor center provides changing, air conditioning break, restrooms, and information at the entrance. But the main attraction is the water, the rushing waters on each side with beautiful cascades and rock elevations changing throughout. These provide waterfalls, water pools, shallow, fast moving, slow moving, shaded, and in the sunshine. Great for all ages, all times of day, and pretty easy access once you get from the trail ledges. About my only complaint is there is not a truly easy point of entry sometimes but man is it worth it. Me and my family WILL return.
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tdawn_21
Lake Wales, FL402 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Old Stone Fort was a beautiful place to visit. Restrooms and facilities were very clean. The falls were beautiful and the fort area was really cool. We went on a busy day but was able to still practice social distancing.
Written June 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen1771
Crete, IL388 contributions
Jul 2020 • Solo
Had a day to explore while moving my son to Nashville and found this gem on a trail app.
For starters, yes, get there early. I arrived at 10 am on 4th of July, snagging the last parking spot. Trail head is near the museum. If you plan on hitting the river and playing in the waterfalls, bring water shoes. Pack a lunch and plan to spend a lot of time. I went alone and did not swim, but was still there for 2.5 hours. Trails for all levels! I hiked a combination of easy to hard.
Bonus... bathrooms in the museum were clean!
For starters, yes, get there early. I arrived at 10 am on 4th of July, snagging the last parking spot. Trail head is near the museum. If you plan on hitting the river and playing in the waterfalls, bring water shoes. Pack a lunch and plan to spend a lot of time. I went alone and did not swim, but was still there for 2.5 hours. Trails for all levels! I hiked a combination of easy to hard.
Bonus... bathrooms in the museum were clean!
Written July 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johannah Lansing
Chattanooga, TN2 contributions
May 2020 • Friends
This place was so interesting! The “fort” is actually a 50 acre Native American stone mound. The hike is super easy to see the magnificent big waterfall and the mound is all around. The museum about the archeology of it is really awesome too! I never knew this amazing place was so close! I’m coming back as soon as possible.
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are many hiking trials, but no bike trials at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park.
Written February 24, 2021
How close is the stone fort and hiking from the campground? If it isn't within walking distance is there RV parking available? Thanks!
Written August 3, 2020
How to get to the Machine Falls? Will it be a long hike?
Written May 4, 2019
It is not a long hike to Machine Falls. As you leave the Visitors Center take the trail to the right and the falls will be less than 1/4 mile.
Written May 5, 2019
Where is the easiest place to get to to swim?
Written September 26, 2018
Didn’t see anyone swimming here. At the halfway point of the trail there are falls. I would go in downstream of the falls.
Written September 26, 2018
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