The Caney Fork River/Center Hill Lake near the Rock Island boat ramp.
In late September Kim and I spent a weekend exploring one of Tennessee's more unique attractions, Rock Island State Park. Located near U.S. Hwy. 70S between McMinnville and Sparta, the 883 acre park contains a 1 1/2 mile free flowing stretch of the Caney Fork River between Great Falls Dam and Center Hill Lake.
On the first day, we canoed for about 2 1/2 miles downstream from the park boat ramp, located at the very beginning of Center Hill Lake. That wasn't as far as we normally paddle, but there was so much wildlife and such to observe that it took longer than anticipated. We saw an otter in the water just after launching, but it was too fast to get a photo of. Due to work on Center Hill Dam, the water level was lower than normal.
The spot just above the boat ramp where the Caney Fork River becomes Center Hill Lake, 64 miles upstream from the dam.
Vultures hanging out on the beach near the park boat ramp.
Rock Island has always been a popular location for both Black and Turkey Vultures. I'm not sure why, though I wonder if it may have to do with thermal updrafts due to the extensive cliffs. Other wildlife we spotted included blue herons, a green heron, pigeons, kingfishers, turtles, various fish, and the aforementioned otter.
This area is known as the Caney Fork River Gorge, characterized by limestone bluffs and formed as the Caney Fork River cuts its way through the Eastern Highland Rim on its way to join the Cumberland River at Carthage, TN. Middle Tennessee's Eastern Highland Rim is a somewhat overlooked region of rugged landscapes and recreational potential which is a transitional area between the Cumberland Plateau and the Nashville Basin.
Kim photographs some of the scenery.
Our turnaround point, where a small stream flows into the river. The boat ramp on the opposite shore is near the Horseshoe Bend Marina. This topography is characteristic of the southern half of Center Hill Lake, which consists of a series of bends, before widening out and becoming more "lake like" in the northern half.
Limestone bluffs tower over the river.
Click here to learn more about Rock Island State Park.
Coming soon: Watch for Part 2 of Rock Island Adventure, featuring the Great Falls area of the park.
Bob Butters All photos: Bob Butters
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