Morgan County: Nature, Trails and History

Morgan County combines expansive natural areas with unusual historic sites and diverse opportunities for active days of travel. Frozen Head State Park is one of the county’s defining destinations. Those looking for a vacation apartment or vacation home can therefore plan their trip according to their own priorities: challenging hikes, river experiences, cultural history or relaxed discoveries with the family.

Hiking Trails and Nature at Frozen Head

Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area encompasses more than 24,000 acres of wilderness. It is named after a 3,324-foot-high peak in the Cumberland Mountains. Hikers can choose from several different sections of the Cumberland Trail: the Frozen Head State Park section is a challenging 7.9-mile route in Morgan County, while the Emory Tract is 3.1 miles long and moderately difficult. These differences help with day planning without requiring you to commit to a uniform trail profile.

The Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail also shapes the landscape. It runs for 36.5 miles through Morgan County. Overall, the trail is more than 300 miles long; Wartburg is the only town through which it passes directly. Lone Mountain State Forest has about 15 miles of hiking trails, including an interpretive nature trail. Horseback riding is also possible there. Those who prefer being on the water will find climbing opportunities at the Obed Wild and Scenic River, as well as six public river access points for canoes, kayaks and rafts.

River Landscapes and Special Points of Interest

The Lilly Overlook and Nemo areas of the Obed Wild and Scenic River contain 18 miles of hiking trails, including 15.3 miles of the Cumberland Trail. At Nemo Access, visitors can cross a bridge from the 1930s that stands beside the modern concrete bridge that replaced it. The abandoned Railroad Tunnel No. 24 is also located near Nemo Access. Jeeps and trucks can drive through the frequently flooded passage. These sites give a hike or outing at the Obed its own historic character.

History, Events and Local Impressions

The Barkley Marathons take place every year near Wartburg in Frozen Head State Park. The course is more than 100 miles long and consists of five loops. Wartburg Presbyterian Church offers another perspective on local history: it was built in 1883 and is considered a good example of the Folk Victorian style. Historic Rugby can also be found nearby. The settlement was founded in 1880 as the Rugby Colony by British author Thomas Hughes and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972.

Brushy Mountain was Tennessee’s first maximum-security prison and housed inmates for more than a century. Today, the site offers a self-guided audiovisual experience about the prison and its grounds. It includes 22 stories of people who lived or worked there as guards, inmates or employees. The Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival focuses on live music, local vendors, food, arts and crafts, and family activities. The Morgan County Farmers Market complements these impressions with fresh vegetables and fruit, baked goods and arts and crafts.

Excursions for Different Day Plans

Dillon Farm offers free farm tours that can be arranged via Facebook or by phone. Coalfield Community Park includes several playing fields, a multi-purpose play area, a playground area, a nature trail and other general outdoor recreational amenities. A special historic visit leads to the oldest surviving residence in Morgan County. Ezra Stonecipher, a gunsmith and furniture craftsman from a family of German immigrants, built it in 1814–1815. The house is open to visitors and conveys its history on site. Information panels and an augmented reality application on a smartphone enhance the visit.

When choosing a vacation apartment or vacation home, it is worth first determining the desired pace of your trip. For long days of hiking, the trail sections described above and the Obed provide thematic orientation; those who want to combine culture and local events can include historic sites, the festival, market and farm visit in their plans. Further local pages for your search lead to Oakdale and Wartburg. You can find additional destinations for your regional search under Crockett County, Decatur County, Washington County, Campbell County, Loudon and Blount County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Tennessee.