4 minute read
Destination
State parks offer a bounty of activities beyond the usual camping of family vacations past. With dozens and dozens of state parks within a reasonable drive time from Chattanooga, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered in virtually our backyard. This series highlights some of the best for just as many reasons.
Rocky Fork State Park
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Why we love it: A diamond in the rough teeming with unique wildlife and plant life; emerging famed fly fishing spot Closest town: Flag Pond, Tenn. Drive time from Chattanooga: 3 hours, 45 minutes
What better place to get away from it all than Tennessee’s newest state park? Cradled by the Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Fork State Park promises the soul-rejuvenating sprawling vistas the range is known for, along with plenty of hidden — and still undiscovered — gems along the way. Which also makes it the perfect place to get closer to fly fishing. The park is still in the design phase, meaning there won’t be any facilities, but there also won’t be much traffic.
Numerous falls, streams, pools and eddies criss-cross the more than 2,000 acres. The park, which takes its name from one of these streams, has been called “one of Tennessee’s best-kept secrets” and “a mountain gem,” and the fish that call it home are one of the prime reasons. The streams harbor Appalachian wood trout, native brook trout and wild rainbow trout, and wander through limestone, lending a pH level that’s ideal for trout reproduction, survival and growth. However, they also lay beneath unobstructed sunshine which, while making for an enjoyable “sun on your face” kind of afternoon, also mean the streams can get a bit too warm for comfort when it comes to trout. But the streams are well-stocked, and one is hatchery supported.
Fishing Season
The park’s trout fishing season stretches year-round, though spring is generally the best time. In the summer, search for shady spots. In the fall, you’ll easily find big brown trout in the lower South Indian Creek.
Bear Country
The park is part of the Unicoi Bear Reserve, meaning it’s home to a large number of black bears. Before backing away from the park, consider this: Black bears have killed 67 people across North America since 1900. Bees, wasps and hornets kill about 50 people every year. Still, these are no teddy bears. As the number of us humans has grown, there has been a documented increase in the number of bear attacks, mostly from predatory males. So, what should you do if you come across one of these hungry men? Remember that cheer from high school? Be aggressive, be be AGGRESSIVE! Yell or throw things. Make threatening gestures. Grab whatever’s handy and use it as a weapon if need be. Or just stock up on bear mace.
Unique Residents
Comprised mostly of Appalachian Cove Forest — offering some of the most diverse ecosystem in the world — the park is also home to a number of animals, including 10 species that are listed as either “in need of management” or “state endangered.” One of those is the peregrine falcon, one of the world’s fastest flyers. If you’ve ever experienced or imagined the stomach-lurching speeds of skydiving, add about 75 mph and you’ve got this falcon’s hunting dive. When in its dive of up to 200 mph, this is the fastest animal on the planet, in a manner of speaking. Most birds cruise along at 20-30 mph, and a cheetah, the fastest land animal on earth, sprints at around 60 mph.
More to Come
The park is part of an overall nearly 10,000 acres; what was said to be the largest privately owned and unprotected tract in the Appalachians. It nearly became home to a gated resort, but the U.S. Forest Service purchased several tracts in 2011 and 2013. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (remember that now-defunct bipartisan funnel for oil money from our November 2015 edition?) and partners bought out the remainder. That land will be turned over to the Forest Service and state of Tennessee as funds become available, so stay tuned.
As Far as the Eye can See
There are two reputed overlooks within the park: White House Cliffs and Buzzard Rock, with the latter possibly being one of the best places in the region to catch more than a glimpse of the oldest mountains in the world — and nothing else. It’s no surprise, then, that Rocky Fork is Tennessee’s only state park containing portions of the AT.
The Next Big Thing
The park’s uncharted territory also makes it a top among mountain bikers. Old logging roads make for challenging routes, even for cars. Though plans are still in the works, its backcountry singletrack could become the next major destination for cyclists.
