Trail Review: Bay Point Loop Trail at Harrison Bay

Harrison Bay State Park is a beautiful state park only 25 minutes from downtown Cleveland.  Harrison Bay became the first Tennessee State Park in 1937. Located in Hamilton County, the park name is derived from a large bay at the main channel of the Tennessee River that covers the old town of Harrison, and the last Cherokee Campground, according to the state park website. The parklands are historically significant because the Cherokee Campground consisted of three villages which were ruled by one of the last great Cherokee Chieftains. 

If you like to mountain bike, boat, swim, kayak, camp, trail run, or hike, this park is for you! On a warm May Saturday, I headed over to Harrison Bay with my trail running shoes and my kayak for a hot, sunny day outside! I ran the Bay Point Loop Trail, which is marked as 4.3 miles, but my GPS said it was only 3.8 miles. To access the trailhead, take a left at the Y inside the park and head toward the visitor center and marina. Pass the boat put-in and the trailhead is on your right. There is plenty of parking right at the trailhead, as well as a trash can and some park information. 

The Bay Point Loop Trail is a mostly-flat trail that is right by the water almost the entire time! The trails are similar in difficulty to Johnston Woods trails, mostly single-track with occasional roots and rocks. I loved that the trail was near the water because I caught cool breeze even though it was 80+ degrees outside! The dense tree cover also provides lots of shade. There were dogs, mountain bikes, and runners on this trail, but it never felt crowded. The trail didn't seem to cross any other trails, so following the red blazes on the trees was easy. I stopped to take a few pictures along the way, and at 3.8 miles I was pleasantly surprised to be done already! 

The entire loop only has 125 feet of ascent in elevation, so it's a relatively flat trail. There were two parts of the trail that were on a wooden boardwalk to keep people raised off the low lying muddy areas, but they were really well maintained and easy to navigate. 

I love that there are other outdoor activities to do at Harrison Bay that make the drive worthwhile. I followed up my run with a kayak on the water. Entrance to the park is free and it is much busier on weekends and in the summer.

I would highly recommend the Bay Point Loop Trail at Harrison Bay. I hope to visit again soon and try out mountain biking on this trail.

Trail Review: Johnston Woods

By Brittany Katz

Tucked into the woods off of Brymer Creek Rd. just 10 minutes south of downtown Cleveland, Johnston Woods is a great hidden gem for trail lovers! Johnston Woods Retreat Center is privately owned by Broad Street United Methodist Church, but the trails are open to the public. There are two great trails: 1.4 miles and 3.2 miles. Both are relatively flat, well maintained, and hard packed. You could use trail shoes or hiking boots, but they aren’t necessary on these trails. I have used my road running shoes to walk my dog at Johnston Woods plenty of times, especially if the ground is dry.

Some of you may have been introduced to the Johnston Woods trails during Terra Running Company’s Bear Claw Trail Race and Terra Trail Half Marathon in the past. Even when you’re not running a well-marked Terra trail race, know that the trails are easy to follow. You also have cell phone reception the entire time, so I definitely have had to check the maps on my phone more than once to reorient myself to the parking lot!

When running trails, don’t worry about your pace. You can’t compare one trail mile to the next like you can on the road, so take this change to enjoy the scenery and simply listen to your body. Oftentimes runners will go 1-3 minutes per mile slower on the trails than they would on the roads with the same amount of effort. It’s ok to slow down! The change in footing, elevation, and unpredictability of a trail will all lead to an overall slower pace, and that is ok!

With the spring starting early here in Southeast Tennessee, we have plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the trails! The great thing about taking my dog to Johnston Woods is that it’s often less busy than the Greenway and he loves all the new smells.

Please note that this trail borders private property. Users are only allowed to be on the marked trail. All lakes, ponds, buildings, and any other properties off trail are closed to public use. Thank you to the staff of Johnston Woods and Broad Street United Methodist Church for allowing the public to use these beautiful trails all year round! To learn more about Johnston Woods, visit JohnstonWoods.org or Alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/johnston-woods-trail.

Trail Review: Red Clay Historic State Park

By Brittany Katz

Just 20 minutes south of downtown Cleveland, Bradley County is home to one of Tennessee’s most beautiful state parks. Red Clay Historic State Park is a beautifully preserved swath of land close to the Georgia/Tennessee boarder. There are some great paths and trails winding through the park that me and my dog Rocky visited.

According to the Tennessee State Parks website, “Red Clay State Historic Park encompasses 263-acres of narrow valleys formerly used as cotton and pasture land. The park site was the last seat of Cherokee national government before the 1838 enforcement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 by the U.S. military, which resulted in most of the Cherokee people in the area being forced to emigrate west. Eleven general councils were held between 1832 and 1837. Red Clay is where the Trail of Tears really began, for it was at the Red Clay Council Grounds that the Cherokee learned that they had lost their mountains, streams and valleys forever.”

There are 3 miles of trails through Red Clay Historic State Park, some paved, some hardpacked, and some trail through the woods. The paved trail is a great loop, good for strollers and easy walking and running. It takes visitors from the parking lot and Visitor’s Center past all of the historic buildings around the property. The Connector Trail is less than a mile and it connects the paved section to the wooded trails. The Council of Trees Trail is 1.4 miles through the woods surrounding the park.

Rocky and I enjoyed Red Clay Historic State Park on a warm early spring day. Leashed dogs are allowed in the park, and Rocky really enjoyed the paths and exploring the woods, as well as checking out the shallow creek running along the trail.

Red Clay Historic State Park is also home to the most beautiful blue holes I have ever seen! (Actually, the only one I’ve ever seen.) The park is home to a natural landmark, Blue Hole Spring, which arises from beneath a limestone ledge to form a deep pool that flows into Mill Creek, a tributary of the Conasauga and Coosa River system. According to historians, the spring was used by the Cherokee for their water supply during council meetings. It is such a beautiful clear blue color, and you can check it out from the land surrounding it or the walking bridge right below.

Whether you’re visiting the area or you’ve lived here all your life, be sure to make a visit to Red Clay Historic Park part of your next outdoor day! It’s a great half day adventure to explore the trails and learn the history of the area.

To learn more about Red Clay Historic Park and access maps, visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/info/red-clay.