STANDING STONE STATE FOREST
This Forest had its beginning in lands purchased by the Resettlement Adminis-tration and deeded to the State in 1955. It became a State Forest in 1961. It is located on the Eastern Highland Rim in Overton and Clay Counties. The forest is approximately 20 miles north of Cookeville and is bisected by State Route 136. The majority of lands were eroded and degraded due to extensive row cropping and poor farming practices. The forested areas had been subjected to heavy timber cutting, high grading, and frequent fires. Ninety-two percent of the land is in regulated forest and 8% is unregulated forest, 0.3% in pine, and 1.6% in mixed hardwood and pine. Thirty-eight point four percent of the forest is in stands 81+ years old, 36% is in stands 61-80 years old, 10.9% is 41-60 years, 7.3% is 21-40 years old, and only 7.4% is less than 20 years old. There are 14 cemeteries and two in-holdings on the forest. Hunting has been a traditional use of the forest. Other recreational uses include hiking, and horseback riding.
Standing Stone State Forest is located in the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee and covers approximately 8,881 acres. The forest is named after a large, upright stone which Native Americans once used as a boundary marker. Here is a brief history of Standing Stone State Forest:
1. Native American Heritage: The region where Standing Stone State Forest is located was once inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Shawnee, Creek, and Chickasaw. The Standing Stone, after which the forest is named, was an important landmark for these indigenous peoples.
2. European Settlement: By the late 18th century, European settlers started moving into the area. The first recorded European settlers in the region were of Scottish-Irish descent, who established homesteads and farms. The land was rugged, with dense forests and abundant wildlife.
3. Conservation Efforts: In the early 20th century, as deforestation became a concern, the Tennessee State Forestry Division initiated efforts to protect and manage forests in the state. In the mid-1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a federal work relief program, was responsible for many conservation and infrastructure projects in the area, including the development of Standing Stone State Forest.
4. Park and Forest Development: Standing Stone State Forest was established in 1938 with the aim of reforesting the region, providing recreation opportunities, and conserving the natural resources. The CCC constructed a dam on the Cumberland River, creating the 69-acre Standing Stone Lake, which now serves as a centerpiece of the park. They also built trails, picnic areas, and recreational facilities for visitors.
5. Tennessee State Parks: In 1963, Standing Stone State Forest was transferred to the Tennessee State Parks system and became Standing Stone State Park. This allowed for better management, maintenance, and further development of the park while ensuring its protection and preservation.
1. Standing Stone State Park offers 36 campsites with water and electric hookups, picnic tables, grills, and bathhouse facilities.
2. The park also provides cabins for rent that can accommodate four to eight people comfortably.
3. There are two group lodges available which sleep up to 16 individuals each; perfect for large gatherings or events.
4. For a more rustic experience, try the backcountry camping option in designated areas within the forest boundaries.
5. If you're traveling by RV there's an area specifically designed with full:hookup sites including electricity and sewer services.