Hawkins County: Discover Nature and History

Hawkins County offers concrete ways to experience nature and history. On the Holston River, Laurel Run Park is home to a variety of wildlife; in Rogersville, historic topics include the route of Main Street, the depot, and the memory of a battle. In Bulls Gap, the biography of Archie Campbell points to a familiar name in television entertainment. Travelers planning their trip around specific interests will find distinctly different points of interest here.

River Scenery and Wildlife at Laurel Run Park

One specific natural attraction is Laurel Run Park: it covers 440 acres and is located on the Holston River. A county description reviewed on September 5, 2026, lists deer, rabbits, opossums, turkeys, turtles, frogs, river otters, beavers, hawks, and coyotes among the animals found in the park. The list of species ranges from amphibians and reptiles to mammals and birds. This makes the park appealing to travelers who want to experience both the wildlife and river scenery during their stay. Its size and waterfront location give you two specific features to use in planning your outing.

A Guided Tour of the Thomas Amis House

The Thomas Amis House offers an approximately one-hour guided tour of the original house, dating to around 1781. The guided tour of the property also includes Tennessee’s oldest stone dam. The tour focuses on both an early home and a stone structure, bringing two distinct historical themes into view: the history of the house and the structure itself. The Historic Thomas Amis House is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Traces in Rogersville

Rogersville reveals several aspects of its local history. The route of Main Street was shaped by the Great Wilderness Road. In the Battle of Rogersville, Confederate troops under Brigadier General “Grumble” Jones defeated units from Kentucky and Ohio under Colonel Israel Garrard and took about 800 prisoners. The Rogersville Depot offers another historical perspective: it is a preserved example of historic railroad architecture with Gothic Revival influences. Thus, street layout, battle history, and architecture stand side by side as distinct themes in Rogersville.

Biography and Park Life

Archie Campbell was born in Bulls Gap on November 7, 1914, and is best known for his roles in the long-running television series “Hee Haw.” In Rogersville, Crockett Springs Park is suitable for weddings and picnics year-round; it can be rented for special occasions. The specific topics therefore range from a television biography to a park explicitly used for celebrations and picnics.

When looking for a vacation rental, you can first consider what you want to focus on during your stay: wildlife and river scenery, a guided house tour, or the history of Rogersville.

Discover more destinations: Bulls Gap, Rogersville, Montgomery, Maury County, Madison County, Weakley County, Tipton, Dickson County.

For the broader travel overview: Tennessee.