Crockett County: Safari, Lake and Pioneer History

Crockett County combines impressive insights into the history of West Tennessee with experiences on the water, agricultural traditions and an unusual safari. Those planning a trip with children or looking to bring together different interests will find several clearly distinct types of excursions here. When choosing a vacation rental, the key factor is therefore which combination of nature, culture and active days best suits your trip.

Safari, Animals and a Day at the Lake

The Tennessee Safari Park offers two different ways to visit: a 7.5-mile drive-through safari and a 20-acre walk-through zoo. This allows you to plan the experience at your own pace as both a drive and a walking tour. Families can include this visit as a separate activity, while the walk-through area is especially suitable for anyone who wants to see the animals not only from a vehicle.

Davy Crockett Lake has a boat ramp, a fishing pier and boat rentals. The lake covers approximately 87 acres and also has restrooms and picnic areas. The fish found in the water include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, redear sunfish, as well as blue, channel and flathead catfish. Anyone wanting to spend a day by the water can choose between boating, fishing and a picnic break without having to turn it into a fixed schedule for the entire trip.

Green Frog Farm and Everyday History

Green Frog Farm is a settlement of historic buildings that have been restored to bring the pioneer history of West Tennessee to life. The self-guided tour is open to the public and overnight guests. It leads to a blacksmith shop, a print shop with a functioning Linotype machine, a one-room schoolhouse and a chapel. These different buildings make the tour particularly varied: crafts, education, religion and early everyday history each become visible in a specific setting.

Green Frog Farm is also home to the Cotton Museum of the South. There, you can see an original cotton gin, a seed warehouse with an antique loom and exhibits, as well as a general store. Agriculture continues to shape Crockett County to this day: normally, between 75,000 and 83,000 acres of cotton are grown every year. The agricultural profile also includes strawberries, cattle, soybeans, corn, grain sorghum and wheat. The farmstand and the “Harvest Farmstand Cafe” provide another place to gain insight into the area.

Local History and Regional Orientation

Crockett County was established in 1871 and named after Davy Crockett. Also in 1871, Cageville was renamed Alamo in honor of the place where Davy Crockett lost his life. Alamo is also home to a Tennessee Civil War Trails marker titled “Cageville in the Civil War,” commemorating the history of the town. Fruitvale Store & Community is a preserved country-store community that has retained most of its historic buildings. The West Tennessee Cotton Festival has been a tradition in Crockett County since 1987.

For travel orientation, U.S. Highway 412 runs through Crockett County and connects Interstate 55 near Dyersburg to the north with Interstate 40 near Jackson to the south. When searching for a vacation rental, you can therefore first determine your preferred travel focus: wildlife experience, lake, agricultural history or historic sites. Bells can also be added to your travel plans.

Other destinations you can explore for your trip planning include Stewart County, Lauderdale County, Williamson, Davidson, Hamblen, Bedford County and Carter.

For the overarching travel overview: Tennessee.