Long Hunter State Park
Becoming a state park in 1974, Long Hunter State Park offers myriad recreational opportunities within its four different and distinct sections. Make sure to check out the locally famous lavender blooms located inside of the Sellars Farm section of the park. Boaters are free to use the two concrete boat launches that exist on either side of J. Percy Priest Lake, provided they've come with all proper registration.
This lake is open to all watercraft including jet skis, high-speed motorboats, as well as more sedate options like kayaks and paddleboards. Canines are welcome to accompany guests on their vessels, provided they use best practices and keep their dogs leashed up during the excursion. Swimming is allowed on Couchville Lake as well, albeit unsupervised. For safety reasons, guests are prohibited from swimming anywhere near the boat launching areas on either lake.
Park officials would like to remind guests that the lake bottoms here are full of debris, so swimming and diving is done at guests' own risks. Canines are barred from any public swimming areas. About 20 total miles of hiking trails provide a dazzling array of exploratory opportunities, giving guests everything from beachside strolls to steep, densely forested inclines.
These trails are regularly marked with weather warnings and other policy changes, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled when entering them. Up to date information on the Long Hunter State Park trail system is always available at the park's central offices as well as the Tennesee State Parks' website. If you'd like to bring your dog on your expedition, you're welcome to do so as long as they're on a leash six foot in length or shorter.
Cyclists will have some luck here as well with the Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail, a 5-mile intermediate path explicitly designed for mountain biking. Containing several challenging twists and turns, this trail is for experienced cyclists only. Dog owners would be wise in keeping their pets far away from these trails, as there are multiple hazards.
