OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
This is a partial listing. If you would like to be in next year’s listing, call 877-864-8666.
Also, see Festivals & Events
...........................KAYAKING / CANOEING / ADDITIONAL TOURS...........................
CANOE THE CANEY
17055 Smithville Hwy. • Silver Point, TN 38582
800.868.9232 • 931.858.2628
www.canoethecaney.com
JBEEZ WATERCRAFT / CANOEING THE CANEY
800.868.9232 • 931.858.2628
www.waverunnerrentals.com • www.canoethecaney.com
THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
136 S Walnut Ave. • Cookeville, TN 38501
888.884.9798 • 931.526.HIKE (4453)
www.outdoorexperienceonline.com
...........................HORSEBACK RIDING ACCOMMODATIONS...........................
SOUTHEAST PACK TRIPS, INC.
931.879.2260
www.southeastpacktrips.com
CHARIT CREEK LODGE
931.879.2776
www.CharitCreekLodge.com
...........................HIKING...........................
APPALACHIAN CENTER FOR CRAFT
615.597.6801 • www.tntech.edu/craftcenter
BURGESS FALLS STATE NATURAL AREA
931.432.5312
www.tn.gov/environment/parks/BurgessFalls/
CUMBERLAND CAVERNS
931.668.4396 • www.cumberlandcaverns.com
EDGAR EVINS STATE PARK
931.858.2446
THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
136 S Walnut Ave. • Cookeville, TN 38501
888.884.9798 • 931.526.HIKE (4453)
www.outdoorexperienceonline.com
...........................STATE PARK...........................
Edgar Evins State Park, dedicated in 1975, is one of the prettiest state parks in the Middle Tennessee region and is located on the shores of Center Hill Lake on the Eastern Highland Rim. You will find spectacular beauty and rugged terrain. It is a great place for some excellent hiking, boating, fishing and many other outdoor adventures. Local businessman and visionary, honorable James Edgar Evins, former 2-term Tennessee State Senator and former Mayor of Smithville in DeKalb County was instrumental in the development of the Center Hill Dam, the Edgar Evins Park, the Joe L. Evins Appalachian Center for Craft, and many more programs in the region. This state acclaimed park, with over 6,000 acres of developed and undeveloped land, offers direct access to Center Hill Lake, with year-round lakeside camping, hiking trails, fishing, hunting, cabin rentals, and many picnic pavilions and shelter areas for family reunions, group gatherings, vacationers, and day visitors. The Friends of Edgar Evins State Park promote and support the park with activities and projects that improve the facilities and the experience of the visitor. Some of the annual activities that the Edgar Evins State Park offer include pontoon rides, waterfall tours, wildflower walks in the spring, bird watching and trail building programs. One of the favorite fall activities is the History Hayride which highlights the local history and special characters of the region. The butterfly garden is a hit in mid to late March along with the Waterfall Tour which is normally scheduled for March. This tour offers rides on easy access, 15 passenger vans to visit many of the approximately 200 waterfalls within a couple of hours drive. Waterfalls in the Upper Cumberland/Highland Rim area are spectacular in the spring, when water cascades down through the geological wonders of the terrain. The Edgar Evins Marina (www.edgarevinsmarina.com) offers boat launching, houseboat and boat rentals, boat slips, and more. The Galley restaurant, located within the marina (owned and operated separately) is a great place to dine. Try out The Galley. Enjoy the lakeside dining with delicious meals, spectacular views and superb service, open spring through fall. Check their website for hours of operation, www.thegalley.cc and up-to-date information. Fishing is a year round activity with largemouth and smallmouth bass, Kentucky bass, Walleye, black crappie, catfish (all three varieties), bluegill and various other fish species. There are five playground areas within the park, a swimming pool for cabin guests, and they are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is an excellent trail system with six trails, from an easy trail of about 100 yards to a 5 ½ mile loop which is considered moderate to strenuous. Many types of wildlife are accessible for viewing with beautiful spring wildflowers and ferns along the trails. Bring your binoculars, as whitetail deer, raccoons, squirrels, woodchucks, rabbits, opossums, skunks, foxes and bobcats inhabit the area. Many assorted birds can be spotted throughout the park, including wild turkey, hawks, and owls, as well as the rare Cerulean Warbler which nests in the park during the summer. Enjoy the weekend at Edgar Evins State Park, or grab a picnic and come over to the park for the day and enjoy the many activities. Make sure to stop at the park’s office on the way in and say hello to Carl Halfacre and his staff. Tell him “Annie” sent you. For more information on the park, call 931.858.2446.
No trip to the Center Hill Lake area would be complete without a visit to the Appalachian Center for Craft near Smithville. Tucked in a beautiful wooded setting, the Craft Center is the perfect day-trip destination. You can explore the many treasures of fine art and craft in the gallery, experience the numerous exhibitions each year open to the public, enjoy wonderful dining in the Redbud Café, and much more.
The Appalachian Center for Craft, a satellite campus of Tennessee Tech University, is an 87,000 sq. ft. facility located on more than 500 wooded acres overlooking scenic Center Hill Lake. The Craft Center is a division of Tennessee Tech University’s Music & Art Department and offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and non-degree Craft Certificate programs in clay, fibers, glass, metals, and wood. TTU also offers BFA degree concentrations in art education and painting on TTU’s main campus in Cookeville, Tennessee. The BFA degrees are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The gallery is a premier retailer of fine craft in the Southeast region. Enjoy shopping for world-class contemporary and traditional fine craft featuring original, handmade works by 100+ regional craft artists. Select from fine jewelry, blown glass vessels, sculpture, home décor, textiles and wearables, ceramics, furniture, hand-carved and turned woodwork, craft supplies, and more.
Experience more than 20 exhibitions annually featuring the work of regional, national and international contemporary fine craft artists. Stroll through the Craft Center’s three exhibition galleries and enjoy the unique works of art on display throughout the year; admission to the exhibitions is free. The gallery and exhibitions are open from 9am-5pm, daily (central time). The Craft Center is closed Easter, two days at the end of June, Thanksgiving Day, and December 24-January 2.
Plan to spend the day! After browsing the gallery and exhibitions, relax in the Redbud Café and enjoy a delicious array of our award-winning chef’s entrees, salads, soup, burgers, and much more! Please call 615.597.6964 for seasonal hours.
The Craft Center is located approx. 60 miles east of Nashville and 120 miles west of Knoxville off Interstate 40. From I-40 take Exit 273 (Smithville/McMinnville) onto HWY 56 South; travel 6 miles and cross Hurricane Bridge; turn left immediately after crossing the bridge. Follow the scenic 1.2 mile drive to the facility. For more information, check out the Craft Center online at www.tntech.edu/craftcenter, or call 615.597.6801.
JBeez Watercraft, Inc., located minutes from Hurricane Marina on Hwy. 56 is Center Hill Lake’s premier source for Jet Ski sales, rentals, marine repair, marine sales, and so much more. Their 6,000 square foot Marine Store is filled with inflatable boating tubes and water sports accessories as well as a wide selection of wakeboards, kneeboards, water skis, and boating supplies. Additionally, you can find a large selection of new and pre-owned boats and jet skis, if you’re in the market to purchase.
JBeez Watercraft hosts one of the area’s leading Certified Marine Repair Centers. Their master technician and service managers boast of 35 years of experience and the ability to service any make or model of boat or Jet Ski with precision and meticulous care. Dockside service is available to all commercial marinas, storage centers, and lake homes on Center Hill Lake. This service is invaluable for scheduling winterizations, routine maintenance, and spring service.
Looking for something fun? JBeez Watercraft has specialized in Jet Ski Rentals for over a decade. They are Tennessee’s largest Jet Ski rental Facility and their courteous, specially trained staff welcomes the opportunity to serve you. Their goal is to make sure your experience is as fun and rewarding as possible with free delivery to many locations. Reservations can be made over the phone with delivery and pick up to the destination of your choice.
The latest addition to the JBeez family is Canoe the Caney which offers Scenic Canoe and Kayak Trips as well as several adventure packages including a Photo Scavenger Hunt and a Romantic Picnic for Two which are favorites among guests. Check out their Pirate Adventure Birthday Package for the little lads, and Princess Birthday Package for the little ladies! For your comfort, they have large air conditioned shuttle buses to transport you from location to location. For more information about JBeez Watercraft, Inc., visit them online at: www.CanoeTheCaney.com and www.WaveRunnerRentals.com -Or call: 931.858.2628 or 800.868.9232.
The Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour
Please see the www.OffTheBeatenPathTour.com website for downloadable maps and brochures, and additional information on the artists. The Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour covers a wide realm of artists from potters, glass blowers, furniture makers, quilters, jewelers, and wood turners. The tour takes you through the beautiful back roads of Tennessee and allows you to see the countryside at its best; showcasing the vibrant autumn colors and wonderful aromas of the season. Being able to see the artists at work in their studio is so interesting and one can learn so much about their particular style of work and wonderful personalities along the way. One artist, Tim Hintz, has been constructing ladder-back chairs for many years and is a former Tennessee Arts Commission fellow. Tim’s award winning work has been showcased at many festivals and events across the country. Folks from all over have ordered these top quality chairs. He starts with the highest quality middle Tennessee red oak and collects his own hickory bark for the woven seats. You could say that his chairs are ergonomically designed, as the back posts are steam-bent to give a supportive curve. If you have a love of the arts, want to be inspired, enjoy adventure and want to drive down some of the most scenic roads in Tennessee or are vacationing at Center Hill Lake and are looking for something to do, this is a perfect day or weekend trip. For more information about this year’s Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, studio stops, and profiles of the artists, visit their website for up-to-date information at www.OffTheBeatenPathTour.com for information and map/brochure.
The Upper Cumberland is the “somewhere” you’ve been looking for. It is a place to relax, reflect, and to become acquainted with the real Tennessee and what makes it so special.
Enjoy breathtaking waterfalls, sparkling lakes, lush hills and historic town squares. Follow our winding roads to antique shops, arts and crafts stores, quilt trails - shows, and gourmet eateries. Trace your family’s history in a heritage museum or library. Stay in one of our many cozy Bed & Breakfast Inns, cabins in the mountains and on lakes, or enjoy the comforts of a first class hotel.
Explore our gorgeous state parks which celebrate the bountiful and beautiful land and history of the region. Edgar Evins State Park, Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Fall Creek Falls State Park, and Rock Island State Park are all adjacent to the Center Hill Lake area. Each offers loads of opportunities for outdoor recreation. There are spectacular waterfalls, challenging hikes (and easy ones), fishing, boating, butterfly gardens, and a vast array of flora and fauna to amaze all ages. Center Hill Lake is a fantastic jewel, but there are also other marvelous lakes nearby such as Cordell Hull Lake and further up the road - Dale Hollow Lake. Each lake offers numerous activities including house boating, swimming, water skiing, canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking, and more. There’s never a need to be bored.
There’s no where else like it in the world. Where else can you listen to bluegrass music in an underground cavern, in a general store in an old riverboat town, or stop in the many cafes where musicians gather in the evening to enjoy a fabulous meal and excellent entertainment? You can even find Broadway plays at the Cumberland County Playhouse and enjoy performances of a symphony orchestra.
There is also the opportunity to visit a New-Deal homestead community and a portion of the legendary Trail of Tears. Come and see the homes of World War I Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Alvin C. York or of Cordell Hull, a Nobel Peace Prize winning diplomat and Father of the United Nations. Visit the site of the first shot fired in Tennessee during the Civil War and stop in at any of the many “general stores” and take a step back in time.
In the Upper Cumberland of Tennessee...there is something for everyone. Come for a day trip, weekend, a vacation or the rest of your life. You’ll enjoy the land where natural beauty, Tennessee heritage, and genuine Southern hospitality await.
The Upper Cumberland Tourism Association is a regional contact for travelers who wish to visit Tennessee’s beautiful Upper Cumberland region. Request a BFreeUC brochure with complete listing of lodging facilities, restaurants, shopping, state parks and lakes in the area. Visit www.BFreeUC.com or phone 800.868.7237.
The heart of the Center Hill Lake region is the downtown area of Smithville in DeKalb County, TN. Boy is there a lot to do in this vibrant town and the surrounding area! Suzanne Williams, their passionate, energetic Chamber Director has led this community for many years. She lights up any room with her beautiful smile and her positive “can-do” attitude. Stop by the Chamber and say “hello” to Suzanne and get more information about the local area, retirement, and relocation information. Smithville is conveniently located off of I-40 and Hwy. 56. It is easy to get to the downtown area, where the City Hall, shops, antiques, gift stores, restaurants and professional offices are located. Cantrell’s Clothing and Fluty’s Shoes are owned and operated by the Cantrell family. The clothing store is like those I remember from my childhood (and most anyone born before 1980 can). It is loaded with the latest fashions, full of style and the service is impeccable. Recently I bought a red trench coat there and loved the help and advice given by Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell. You can find a little bit of everything - from a special boating outfit to a summer dress, or just about anything for a man, woman or child. Make sure to take a look across the street at Fluty’s Shoes which offers name brand athletic shoes, sandals, cowboy boots, hats, purses and all the accessories. Smithville also has Tennessee’s oldest family-owned pharmacy which is run by the Webb family. Webb’s Pharmacy & Gifts has been in the family since 1881. There you can find their antique pharmaceutical bottles and a really great gift shop. I found a great selection of home furnishings, handcrafted pottery by Susan DeMay, decorative plates and bowls for your lake cabin home or houseboat, children’s toys including my favorite Melissa and Doug toys, an expansive line of greeting cards, baby shower gifts, jewelry and so much more. Make sure you stop in and see the Webb family and say “hello”. All this shopping is sure to make you hungry, and two of our favorites are the Sundance Restaurant and J. Ashburn’s Heartland Café. Sundance has great daily specials, wonderful fresh salads, sandwiches and some awesome homemade soups and desserts. My grilled chicken taco salad was excellent and the homemade salsa which topped it off was superb. Even though I shouldn’t have, my guest and I shared a slice of key lime pie, and oh was it good. The Heartland Café is the newest sit down eatery in downtown Smithville. It has a great, casual, fun atmosphere with excellent barbecue, country cooking, burgers, sandwiches and daily specials with wonderful southern hospitality. If you are in the mood to relax and to be pampered….not a problem. The Smithville Square has several full-service salons and specialized skin care experts to serve you. Downtown Smithville can be reached by traveling west on Hwy. 70, turn right onto North Congress Blvd., then turn left at the red light (West Main Street) and travel 1 block to the square. The two highlights of the year in DeKalb County are the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival which always takes place the first Friday and Saturday in July and the DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria. The Jamboree is a must see if you love music, dance, and pure Appalachian crafts. Come see what over 100,000 visitors from all around the world come to experience annually. The DeKalb County Fair has been known as the “Grandpa Fair of the South” since 1856. The Award Winning DeKalb County Fair showcases everything from beauty pageants to the best agricultural and home-grown products to flat track racing. The midway is filled with arcades and rides for hours of games and fun. The newest additions to the fair include the “DeKalb Idol”, “DeKalb Top Model”, and “The Vintage Fashion Show” which have become crowd favorites. Come experience home-town living, hospitality and friendly people, enjoy downtown Smithville, the Stella Luna Art Gallery, the festivals and fairs, the local eateries, and so much more! If you would like more information, visit their website at www.SmithvilleTN.com or call 615.597.4163. |
