Edgar Evins State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Edgar Evins State Park |
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View of Center Hill Dam from visitor center observation tower in 2008
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| Type | Tennessee State Park |
| Location | DeKalb County, Tennessee |
| Area | 6,000 acres (24 km2) |
| Operated by | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation |
Edgar Evins State Park is a fun place to visit in DeKalb County, Tennessee. It's a big park, covering about 6,000 acres (24 km²) along the beautiful Center Hill Lake. This lake was made by damming the Caney Fork River. The State of Tennessee manages the park, leasing the land from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The park is named after James Edgar Evins (1883–1954). He was a local businessman and politician from Smithville, Tennessee. He worked hard to help create the Center Hill Dam and Lake in the 1940s. His family wanted a state park here for a long time, and it finally happened!
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Exploring Edgar Evins State Park
What Makes the Park Special?
Edgar Evins State Park is located where the Caney Fork River meets the Cumberland River. The park sits on the northeast side of Center Hill Lake. This area has rolling hills and cool rock formations. You can see big limestone cliffs overlooking the lake.
The park is covered in a beautiful forest. You'll find many types of trees here. Some common ones are the tuliptree, basswood, sugar maple, and different kinds of oak and hickory. It's a great place to explore nature!
A Look Back in Time: Park History
Long ago, Native Americans lived in this area. Early settlers also came to the DeKalb area in the late 1790s. They built towns like Liberty. Many families lived in the valleys that are now part of the park or under Center Hill Lake.
The Caney Fork River used to flood a lot. These floods caused big problems for farms and homes. So, in the 1930s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decided to build the Center Hill Dam. This dam helps control floods and also creates electricity.
After the dam was built, plans were made for fun places along the lake. In the late 1960s, work began on Edgar Evins State Park. The park officially opened in 1975.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Edgar Evins State Park has lots of things for visitors to enjoy. There's a large marina where you can dock your boat. You can also stay in one of the 34 cabins, which have an outdoor swimming pool open in summer.
If you like camping, there are 60 campsites with water and electricity. There are also 9 simpler campsites for a more rustic experience. The park has a visitor center, two boat ramps, and picnic areas. You can also visit the "interpretive center" to learn about the area's nature and history.
A group called the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park helps support the park. They organize events throughout the year.
Hiking Trails for All Ages
The park has several hiking trails for different skill levels. Here are some of them:
- Highland Rim Trail: This trail is about 1.35 miles (2.17 km) long. It goes down a steep hill near the lake and then climbs back up.
- Jack L. Clayborn Millennium Trail: Named after a long-time park supervisor, this trail is about 2.35 miles (3.78 km) long. It's a loop trail that brings you back to where you started.
- Merritt Ridge Trail and Connector: This is a longer, more rugged trail, about 5.35 miles (8.61 km) long. It's across a lake cove from the main park.
- Dunham Cemetery Trail: A short, steep trail, only about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) long. It leads to a small cemetery where an early settler, Alexander Dunham, is buried.
- Marina/Campground Trail: This connector trail is about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) long. It links the campground to the marina parking lot.
- Evins Ridge Nature Trail: This is a loop trail about 0.6 miles (0.97 km) long. You can find it at the Interpretive Center.
- Storybook Trail: This kid-friendly loop trail is about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) long. It has signs with a nature story as you walk. It opened in 2018.
Images for kids
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Center Hill Lake, viewed from a limestone bluff near the primitive campground
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Dunham Cemetery
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Park office and observation tower in 2008
Photo gallery
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The Highland Rim Trail in early Spring
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The Highland Rim Trail in mid-Summer
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Limestone cliff near the primitive campground
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Limestone outcroppings near the campground
