Revisiting the Storybook Trails
A Day Away By Mike Steely
A few years ago, my wife and I discovered the Storybook Trails while visiting the Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park east of Greeneville. It was a surprise and we walked the trail, stopping now and then to read the children’s book, and enjoyed the scenery and the hike.
That park is still closed because of the flooding of the Nolichucky River there which, more or less, destroyed it. We tend to favor the state parks because, in most cases, you can camp or rent lodging there.
Since then, we’ve visited other Storybook Trails in state parks, cities and elsewhere. More recently we noticed the final opening of the Norris Dam State Park trail after a year or so of planning. The featured book is “Oliver’s Trail” by Kit Chase and the trail begins at the ranger’s station on the east side of the dam. It follows along the bank of the lake with book chapters posted here and there and loops back to the beginning.
Parking is available at the little office, where there are public bathrooms and a great overlook of the historic dam. Cabin rentals and camping spots are available uphill from the parking lot or further west in the “new” camping area, with full hookups and lots of space. The park on the east end also has a great hiking trail below the dam along the Clinch River.
Also on the east side of the dam is the free Lenoir Museum, a restaurant, and a beautiful water mill and barn. The museum offers special programs now and then including making traditional beeswax pillar candles on Friday, November 23, at 11 a.m. The class costs $12 per person.
Tennessee Parks began storybook trails in 2016 at Long Hunter State Park and the trails are part of the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation.
Other state parks in our area with Storybook Trails include Pickett State Park near Jamestown, Cove Lake State Park near Caryville and Jacksboro, Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville, and Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg.
There are more than two dozen state parks in Tennessee with Storybook Trails. You can find lots of information about the trails on the internet.
If you visit the parks with Storybook Trails you may want to take in some of the other free attractions along the way or nearby. If you’re planning on the Norris Dam trail, you might want to double back to Knoxville by taking the road across the dam and traveling to Rocky Top, formerly Lake City, and take in the Coal Creek Miners Museum.
