Henry Horton State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henry Horton State Park |
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Sign at the entrance of Henry Horton State Park
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| Type | Tennessee State Park |
| Location | Chapel Hill, Tennessee |
| Area | 1,523 acres (6.16 km2) |
| Operated by | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation |
| Status | open year round |
| Website | Henry Horton State Park |
Henry Horton State Park is a fun state park located near Chapel Hill, Tennessee, in the United States. It's a great place for families and friends to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. The park was built in the 1960s on land that used to belong to Henry Hollis Horton, who was a governor of Tennessee.
This park offers many exciting things to do, like canoeing, camping, staying in cozy rooms, and hiking on cool trails. It's open all year round, so you can visit any time!
Things to Do at the Park
Henry Horton State Park has a wide variety of activities for everyone. You can spend your day exploring the outdoors or trying out different sports.
Outdoor Adventures
- Camping: Spend a night under the stars!
- Biking: Ride your bike on trails or around the park.
- Canoeing: Paddle along the peaceful Duck River.
- Fishing: Try to catch some fish in the river.
- Hiking: Explore the park's beautiful trails on foot.
- Picnic: Enjoy a meal outdoors with family and friends.
- Playgrounds: Kids can have fun on the swings and slides.
Sports and Games
- Golfing: Play a round of golf on the park's course.
- Trap and Skeet Shooting: Learn about target shooting in a safe area.
- Sports: Play baseball, basketball, disc golf, tennis, or volleyball.
- Swimming: Cool off in the park's large pool.
Places to Stay and Meet
If you want to stay longer than a day, Henry Horton State Park has different options for lodging and places for groups to gather.
Lodging Options
- Horton Park Inn: This inn has 65 rooms and 4 suites, perfect for a comfortable stay.
- Cabins: There are 8 cabins, which are like small houses, located close to the inn.
- Campgrounds: The park has 75 campsites. Some are right by the scenic Duck River.
Meeting Spaces
- Recreation Building: This building has a large meeting space for up to 300 people. It's great for big events or conferences.
- Other Meeting Rooms: You can also find smaller meeting rooms inside the inn and the park's restaurant.
Picnic Areas
The park has 83 picnic sites where you can set up your own picnic. There are also 4 large picnic pavilions for bigger groups.
Camping Fun
Henry Horton State Park has 75 campsites. Nineteen of these are for tents only, perfect for a more rustic experience. The other 56 sites are for RVs (recreational vehicles) and have water and electricity. All campsites include tables, grills, and fire rings for cooking and campfires. Most sites are surrounded by trees. There's also a large area for group tent camping. Two bathhouses with showers are open during certain seasons.
Professional Trap and Skeet Range
The park has a special area for trap and skeet shooting. It includes five skeet fields and two trap fields. There's also a lodge building where you can get snacks, rent guns, and buy ammo. A picnic shelter is available for large shooting events.
Park Restaurant
The Henry Horton Restaurant is a family-friendly place that can seat many people. It also has two private dining areas for special occasions.
Sports Fields Available
You can find facilities for many sports at the park. These include fields for baseball, courts for basketball, a course for disc golf, tennis courts, and volleyball courts.
Swimming and Water Access
The park has a big Olympic-sized swimming pool with bathhouses and a snack stand. You can also get to the beautiful Duck River from the park. There's a small boat ramp, perfect for launching canoes and kayaks.
Fishing in the Duck River
If you love to fish, the Duck River is a great spot! You can catch different types of fish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, red-eye, and catfish. Remember, you need a valid Tennessee fishing license to fish here.
Hiking Trails
The park has four easy hiking trails, many with lovely views of the Duck River.
- Hickory Ridge Loop: This 1.3-mile trail is near the campground. It goes through different types of forests and open areas.
- Wilhoite Mill Trail: This 0.7-mile trail follows the Duck River. It passes through woods where an old mill community used to be.
- Turkey Trail Loop: At 1.7 miles, this is the longest loop trail. It winds through woods and old fields.
- Duck River Trail: This 4.2-mile trail (there and back) was finished in 2011. All trails are easy and great for families and people of all ages.
The Duck River
The Duck River is a beautiful river that flows right through Henry Horton State Park. It's a great spot for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
Golf Course
The park is home to the Buford Ellington Golf Course. It's a popular spot for golfers to enjoy a round in a scenic setting.
