The Alliance for the Cumberlands has recently developed the Cumberland Plateau Nature Trail as a series of three self-guided driving routes, the Northern, Central, and Southern tours. They are designed to feature the best natural sites in Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau region and currently encompass 49 stops, or points of interest.
The Southern tour features 17 sites, 12 of which are in Marion and adjacent counties. These include the Walls of Jericho State Natural Area (SNA), Natural Bridge SNA, Savage Gulf SNA (Stone Door entrance), the South Cumberland State Recreation Area Visitor Center, Grundy Forest SNA, Grundy Lakes State Park, Franklin State Forest, Foster Falls Small Wild Area, Nickajack Dam Reservation/ Lower Sequatchie Management Unit, Raccoon Mtn. Visitor Center, Prentice Cooper State Forest and Wildlife Management Area, and the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge SNA.
Nickajack Dam/Lower Sequatchie Management Unit
Signs designating the sites as stops on the Nature Trail still need to be installed. The Alliance is currently developing a brochure on the trail, to be displayed in places one usually finds tourism related information.
Foster Falls
For information on sites in all three regions of the Cumberland Plateau Nature Trail visit woodswondersandwildlife.com.
View of Prentice Cooper State Forest from Raccoon Mountain
For more information about both natural and historical places in the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee, visit the Alliance's website www.letsgoplateau.com.
The Alliance for the Cumberlands is a partnership of public and private organizations committed to promoting and conserving the Cumberland Plateau and Mountain region, with the primary focus being in Tennessee. To learn more, go to their website, www.allianceforthecumberlands.org.