David Crockett State Park

David Crockett State Park is located near Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. More commonly known as Davy Crockett, the park’s namesake once ran a gristmill, distillery and other businesses near Shoal Creek, which flows through the park. Famous for his stint in the United States Congress and his valor at the Alamo, his former home was named a state park in 1959.

While there is no hotel onsite, the park does have seven cabins designed for visitor comfort. These new accommodations include two bedrooms, two bathrooms and full kitchens. Including the living room sleeper-sofa, the cabins have four queen sized beds, which should be enough to sleep eight people. They are available all year with a two night stay minimum from Labor day to Memorial day. During the summer, a six night stay is required to reserve a cabin.

If one is more spontaneous than that, campsites are available for tents or recreational vehicles. All sites come with electrical and water hookups, table and grill. Only one campsite is allowed to have ground fires, so check for that if a campfire is desired. Bath houses are close by as are sanitation dumps for self-contained vehicles. Visitors may stay up to two weeks, but may not reserve a site for a friend or family member. They are strictly first-come first-served and no holding for a late arrival is allowed.

Among the other amenities David Crockett State Park provides is a year-round restaurant. It sits on Lindsay Lake and seats over 200 people at any time. It can cater to for large groups up to 250 servings, or provide private banquet facilities. It does close between meals. The late riser stumbling over at 10:30 A.M. will have to wait until lunch time to eat.

The summer months provide a great deal of entertainment for visitors. The park museum, open only during the summer, is designed to resemble Mr. Crockett’s grist mill. It has programs and information about the famous man’s life as well as the surrounding area. The amphitheater holds 1000 audience members and has musical performances every Friday night at 7:00 P.M. There are even paddle boats available for rent near the lake, and an Olympic sized swimming pool complete with life guards, concession stands and wading pool. Sunbathers have plenty of lounge chairs to choose from, little children can wade safely while their parents swim or tan nearby, and teens can dive into the water without fear of some unseen obstruction causing them harm.

For those who prefer to vacation in the off-season, the hiking trails are open all year round. Maps are available at the park office. None of them are rated as hard, but wear sturdy shoes. Some of the path are not paved and could cause one to turn an ankle. There are over twenty miles of bike trails, but no bicycles are available to rent. The park is a reserve for wild turkeys and white-tail deer, so no hunting is allowed. However, with a valid Tennessee fishing license, one can fish any time of year. Tennis courts, softball fields, and volleyball courts are open when weather allows.

One feature that David Crockett State Park has not common to other state parks is its Scout camp. A site separate from other campgrounds, it holds up to thirty tents. That is enough for several small or one very large troop to come and experience outdoor life much as the park’s namesake experienced it. It is a popular choice, so reserve early. For day camps or school functions, the park has seven picnic shelters that can hold up to 100 people. There are other picnic areas scattered about, and each area, whether sheltered or not, comes with a grill. Day trip or vacation, pets are not allowed to run free. Keep the family dog on a leash and restricted to campsites or picnic areas. All plants and animals in the park are protected, so honoring this request keeps the natural habitat safe.

David Crockett State Park is a well kept blend of nature park and historical site. With activities designed people of every age and every interest it is clear why it is a popular annual vacation choice for hundreds of families.