Pickett State Park and Forest, Jamestown, TN

The area around the Pickett State Park and Forest is considered to be a true wilderness. The park is in the remote area of the upper Cumberland Plateau. This park is known as the Pickett CCC Memorial State Park as well. The features of the park include geological, scenic and botanical offerings. The park itself is within the 19,200 acres of Pickett State Forest and is adjacent to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation area.

Visitors to the park can see natural sandstone bridges, large rock houses, mountain streams and spectacular bluffs. Spring brings the flourishing of wildflowers and summer produces wild blueberries and blackberries. Autumn sets the hills ablaze with color and in winter it is layered with snow. The State Park preserves the Civilian Conservation Corps initial work in developing the park.

Pickett State Park is located at 4605 Pickett Park Highway, Jamestown, TN 38556. The park is open from 7:30 am until dark and the office is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Visitors wishing to see the State Park can take I-40 to Exit 317 then follow Highway 127 north for forty six miles, then turn right on to Highway 154 for another twelve miles.

Guests of the park can rent fishing boats or canoes at Arch Lake. People with private boats are not allowed on the lake. Visitors that rent boats must adhere to the Tennessee boating regulations.

There are twenty cabins for rent in the park. They offer four types of accommodations. The five rustic cabins will sleep four people and the five deluxe cabins have two or three bedrooms and can sleep six. Five chalet style cabins are perfect for two people with one bedroom and five Villa cabins can sleep eight people. Each cabin style has full modern bathrooms, cooking utensils, kitchen appliances, towels, linens and fireplaces. All but two of the rustic cabins are open year round. Reservations are required and can be up to a year before through the park office.

The park has 32 campsites with electric and water hook ups, grills and picnic tables. There is a modern bathhouse and a dump station for self contained campers. The campground is open year round on a first come basis with a two week limit.

Group camping is available with accommodations for as many as 144 people. There are six bunkhouses, two bathhouses and a dining hall and kitchen. Campers must bring their own food, sanitary supplies and linens. Reservations are required and a two night stay is the minimum.

Fifty eight miles of hiking trails allow visitors to see the park's wilderness areas. They vary in length and difficulty. Some are short hikes and others are multi day backpacking trips. A backcountry camping permit is needed and can be arranged through the park office.

Horseback riding is allowed in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, but the six stalls for boarding are in Pickett State Park. A nature center is near the campground and is generally open during the summer months. Programs are given seasonally by the rangers. The swimming area is free and open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily. There is no lifeguard on duty.?