10 Great Outdoor Experiences to Enjoy in Southern Middle Tennessee

Sorry you haven't heard from me in a while—I can explain.  I just took on a full-time (but very temporary) job taking classified ads at The Columbia Daily Herald, covering for a maternity leave. (A girl's gotta make money!) Even though I've stayed busy at the Herald, I've still had eco-tourism on the brain. So, I volunteered to compile a list of awesome outdoor experiences in the area to be published in the paper's upcoming Fact Book 2011.  Here's a sneak peek at that list. (Sshhh... Don't tell the editor!)

P.S. A couple of these descriptions will look very familiar to you.

• Hike Cheeks Bend Bluff View Trail — Located in the Yanahli Wildlife Management Area within the Duck River watershed, this 1.8-mile loop trail makes for an excellent hike. It is characterized by diverse terrain that ranges from a narrow dirt path through dense woods to wide-open, rocky areas with moss-covered boulders. The trail also features several beautiful overlooks of the Duck River and is marked by informative signs at its head. The hike takes about an hour to complete and is suitable for people of most ages and ability levels.
Find the Bluff View Trail on Cheeks Bend Road off of Sowell Mill Pike, east of Columbia. More information may be obtained by visiting alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/cheeks-bend-bluff-view-trail.  

• See Stillhouse Hollow Falls — Stillhouse Hollow Falls is a 90-acre state natural area about 21 miles southwest of Columbia and three miles northeast of Summertown off U.S. Highway 43. It is on the Western Highland Rim in the Duck River watershed.
The falls can be seen by walking two-thirds of a mile along the Stillhouse Hollow Falls trail. The trail crosses an unnamed tributary that forms small scenic cascades before plunging about 75 feet over the falls.
More information may be obtained by calling the Maury County Parks and Recreation Department at (931) 375-6101or by visiting www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/stillhouse.

• Tour a farm and pick your own produce — Agritourism is a great way to get some fresh air and have fun while learning about local agriculture. Seasonally, several area farms open up to the public, offering fresh strawberry picking in May, peach-plucking in July and pumpkins in the fall.
Farms in the area include Ring Farm in Columbia, Limoland in Pulaski, and Forgie’s Fruit Farm in Lewisburg. Activities such as hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, farm tours and petting zoos as well as pick-your-own strawberries, peaches and cherries are offered, depending on which farm you visit and the time of year. 
More information about pick-your-own farms in the area may be obtained by visiting www.pickyourown.org/TNmiddle.htm.

• Canoe or kayak down the Duck River — The Duck River is an essential natural feature characterizing Southern Middle Tennessee as well as a fascinating, biologically diverse and beautiful waterway. One great way to experience the Duck first-hand is by floating down the river a few miles in a kayak or canoe. There are multiple launch locations scattered around the area. In addition, several local companies, including River Rats, Higher Pursuits and Yanahli Kayak & Canoe Co., offer rentals.
More information may be obtained by calling the Maury County Visitors Bureau at (931) 381-7176 or by visiting www.antebellum.comand clicking on the “recreation” tab. 

• Mountain bike on the Chickasaw Trace — The Chickasaw Trace, a 300-acre county park, features an eight-mile trail maintained by the Columbia Cycling Club that is perfect for mountain biking and suitable for riders of all ages. The trail is narrow, characterized by a variety of different terrains and difficulty levels. It follows a small creek and then runs alongside the Duck River. Expect sudden drops, big bumps, ramps, and bridges—quite the adventure!
More information about moutain biking on the Chickasaw Trace trails may be obtained by visiting www.columbiacyclingclub.com. 

• Fish Williamsport Lakes — Located  on Highway 50, 12 miles northwest of Columbia, the Williamsport Lakes Wildlife Management Area includes 1,850 acres of forest and fields for hunting and six lakes (Blue Cat, Egret, Golden Eye, Heron, Shellcracker and Whippoorwill) that range in size from 12 to 80 acres. Egret Lake and Heron Lake are designated wetlands closed to fishing and are for wildlife-viewing only. Fishing is allowed in four lakes, including Whippoorwill Lake, which is specifically for children’s fishing. Each of the four fishing lakes has a boat ramp and contains plenty of catfish, bass and other fish species.
More information about the Williamsport Lakes may be obtained by calling (931) 583-2477 or by visiting www.williamsportlake.com. 

• Camp in Henry Horton State Park — Located in Chapel Hill, Henry Horton State Park is known for its championship 18-hole golf course, trap and skeet range, Olympic-sized swimming pool and great camping. The 1,140-acre park has three hiking trails (Hickory Ridge Loop, Wilhoite Mill Trail and Turkey Trail) where you may spot wildlife such as turkeys, deer and many kinds of wildflowers. Whether it’s fishing along the Duck River, playing volleyball, shooting hoops or having a picnic, Henry Horton State Park has a lot to offer.    More information about Henry Horton State Park may be obtained by calling (931) 364-2222 or by visiting www.tn.gov/environment/parks/HenryHorton.

• Hike the Devil’s Backbone Trail — Devil’s Backbone State Natural Area is located near Hohenwald on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The trail offers the opportunity for a quiet hike in a natural environment little affected by human activity. This broad path winds from the pavement of the Natchez Trace Parkway out along the ridges of Tennessee’s Highland Rim, down along a creek and back again. This ecologically unique area provides time for enjoying nature and quiet reflection. The trail is a moderately strenuous loop with 200 feet of elevation change that is about 3 miles long.
More information about this natural area may be obtained by calling (615) 532-0431or by visiting www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/devils. 

• Swim at Fairview Park — This 30-acre, gated neighborhood park includes three picnic shelters, two playground areas, public restrooms, two tennis courts, a basketball court, and a baseball field as well as Maury County’s only public pool. Admission to the pool is only $2 per person and private reservations are also available.
More information may be obtained by calling Columbia Parks and Recreation at (931) 388-8119 or by visiting www.columbiatn.com/ParksRec/Pubs/Fairview.html.

• Take a scenic drive — Those who can’t handle strenuous physical activity because of age or disibility can still enjoy the natural beauty of Southern Middle Tennessee by simply taking one of the designated scenic drives that passes through the area. The 84-mile “Old Tennessee: Settlers to Soldiers Trail” is one such drive, beginning in Franklin, continuing through Leiper’s Fork and meandering through Maury County with stops in Mt. Pleasant, Columbia and Spring Hill before ending in Thompson’s Station and returning to Franklin. The stops featured on the Old Tennessee drive will include historical sites of many kinds as well as unique eateries and scenic natural areas.
More information about the Old Tennessee Trail may be obtained by calling (931) 381-7176 or by visiting www.antebellum.com.

I hope this will serve as a short reference list of things to do outside this summer. I may be stuck inside at my desk, but that doesn't mean I can't daydream about Eco-Exploring... Plus, there's always the weekend! Until next time—enjoy.