Pickett State Park's remarkable natural beauty was formally recognized way back in the 1930s, when it was established as Tennessee's first state park. By now, the campground is aged, but in a good way. Kind of like a comfortable pair of shoes. Hand-laid stone walls complement the wooded camping area that caters to tent campers. The sites are a little small, but that's what detracts the big rigs. Hot showers are available.

Interesting landforms are what bring campers here in the first place. Natural bridges, caves, waterfalls and rock bluffs lie along some of the 58 miles of trails that wind through the forest here, much of which was spared the logger's axe. Explore places like Hidden Passage, Hazard Cave, Crystal Falls and Double Falls. The 269-mile Sheltowee Trace Trail starts here, and heads north into Kentucky, just a few miles distant. Sheltowee is Indian for"turtle," which local tribes nicknamed Daniel Boone, as he was exploring this land. Backpackers can enjoy days of hiking the Pickett backcountry, staying in the several designated campsites along the way.