Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, Manchester, TN

Approximately 2000 years ago American Indians used land that is now part of the Old Fort State Archaeological Park as a ceremonial site. The park is located in Manchester, Tennessee off of US 41 and Highway 53. Visitors may attend the park from 8pm until sunset year round. There is also a museum on site that stays open till 4:30pm. Acreage of the park is 876 where a number of activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping are available. The state park was created to preserve, protect, study, and interpret the land for public awareness. It is also of cultural importance. The state supplies educational and entertaining programs for visitors to learn about the Old Stone Fort, archaeology, and the Native American cultures of the area. The park includes a nine hole golf course, called the Tennessee Golf Trail. It is on the Duck River with mature trees lining the holes.

Historically the park is called Old Stone Fort due to the natural occurrence of mounds and walls that combine with the cliffs and rivers to form a natural enclosure. This enclosure is one and a quarter miles around. It sits on 50 acres at the top of a hill. It is perhaps the most interesting sacred site in the United States, due to its size and history. The setting of the "fort'' overlooks two rivers that drop off the plateau at the Highland Rim, which is located in the middle of Tennessee. The rivers lead into the Central Basin of Tennessee.

Camping is available from April until September. However, the bridge leading to the campground is currently under renovation for 2009. There are fifty-one campsites with water, electrical hook-ups, grills, picnic tables and hard surface pads. Each unit is 50 feet in length for campers. There is a dump station in summer. Also, a two restroom facility with showers is onsite. Campsites are rented out for a maximum of two weeks stay. There is a group tent camping area for organized groups like boy scouts.

There are definitely many attractions at Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park. Fishing is available in a number of areas with a proper TN license. Barren Forks in the Duck River is a particularly popular spot. Non- motorized boats and canoes are welcome on the river and in the one mile linear lake. The museum offers an educational tour of the land around the park. It explains the wildlife, plants, and trees visitors will see as they walk along the nine miles of trails. The park is filled with cypress, pine, and conifer trees. Wildlife includes small animals, deer, and birds. Picnic facilities at various spots allow visitors to overlook the river and the fort.

Spending a few days in the state park is worth the visit. There are also other points of interest around Manchester. For example the Jack Daniels Distillery for adults, Cumberland Caverns, Historic Bellbuckle, and Foothills Crafts are top tourist sites for those also going to the park.