Cumberland Mountain State Park Images
SM-CMSP21 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I hiked the Peter Rabbit mountain bike trail at Cumberland Mountain State Park and captured this photo, well, just for fun!
This purple trail blaze is just plain pretty! And I never thought I would use “pretty” to describe a trail blaze.
CMSP offers miles of mountain bike trails for beginner and intermediate riders, plus two short but thrilling trails to challenge more advanced mountain bikers.
SM-CMSP20 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
When in nature, walk slowly and look closely. You will observe intricate designs, infinite shapes, ranging textures and myriad colors in a solitary space.
I observed these miniature Wintergreens while walking the Alley Cat Trail at Cumberland Mountain State Park.
SM-CMSP19 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
These are two famous structures at Cumberland Mountain State Park.
The Mill House was built by Quaker men to the precise specifications of their Quaker wives. It sits beside Byrd Creek just below the majestic, multi-arched dam which also serves as a bridge for vehicles within or passing by the state park.
Made entirely of Crab Orchard Stone, the CMSP dam was the largest masonry project ever completed by depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps.
SM-CMSP18 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Another view of the Mill House and CCC dam, each enhanced by morning sunlight.
The Mill House is the most popular cabin to rent at Cumberland Mountain State Park.
The dam is the most photographed structure at CMSP, and perhaps at all Tennessee State Parks combined.
SM-CMSP17 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
After the CCC dam, I suppose Byrd Lake is the next most prominent feature at Cumberland Mountain State Park.
Byrd Lake serves as a mirror, reflecting the sky and natural features from across its width and breadth.
Another great reason to visit CMSP year round is the buffet feast served at Homestead Harvest Restaurant.
In Summer, the refreshing pool attracts swimmers who really know how to enjoy a hot, humid day. CMSP is one of five Tennessee state parks whose swimming pool reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you, Chip!
SM-CMSP16 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I enjoyed so much seeing the December view of the back side of the CCC dam at Cumberland Mountain State Park, I returned two nights later to capture this proud image.
Notice the constellation Orion in the dark sky above the dam.
SM-CMSP15 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Another Byrd Lake reflection, featuring billowy Winter clouds.
I enjoyed views like this each day I hiked and camped at Cumberland Mountain State Park.
SM-CMSP14 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Even Coon Hollow Cabin’s porch was constructed of Crab Orchard Stone.
Cumberland Mountain State Park visitors who overnight at Coon Hollow enjoy the rocking chairs and wood fireplace. There is also a picnic table in the meadow that surrounds this cabin.
SM-CMSP13 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
This is one of 251 homes built by the homeowner and his neighbors as part of the Cumberland Homesteads Project in the late 1930s and early 40s.
The exterior is Crab Orchard Stone; the interior features rich wood walls and ceilings; and it sits in a lovely meadow.
You can rent this historic home, called Coon Hollow Cabin, when you visit Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville, Tennessee.
SM-CMSP12 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
All along Pioneer Trail at Cumberland Mountain State Park, I observed Partridgeberry leaves dangling from sandstone ledges. Occasional red berries accented countless Partridgeberry plants.
SM-CMSP11 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
An eight-foot-tall section of an 80-foot-tall tree along Pioneer Trail was covered by yellowish Fungus.
It was an amazing yet sad sight. Amazing because of its ranging textures and myriad colors; sad because the Fungus indicates the tree is dying, if not already dead.
SM-CMSP10 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Constructed in the 1930s by CCC Company 3464, this bridge conveys Old Mail Road traffic across Byrd Creek within Cumberland County Tennessee.
You will cross over, and can peer under, this single-arch bridge when you hike the Pioneer Trail loop at Cumberland Mountain State Park. The park manager, Chip, fondly refers to this as the Troll Bridge.
SM-CMSP09 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
The Pioneer Trail at Cumberland Mountain State Park features fascinating rock structures on both sides of Byrd Creek.
Walking is mostly level in this Cumberland Plateau nature park. During my six days there, I hiked all park trails in four days, leaving time to walk Byrd Lake ADA Trail, Pioneer Trail, Cumberland Plateau Nature Trail and Byrd Creek Trail multiple times.
It doesn’t get much better for this 65-year-old hikographer!
SM-CMSP08 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
This is a fun and fascinating stretch of Pioneer Trail.
Ancient rock formations guard both sides of the trail here, requiring the hiker to squeeze through their narrow opening.
SM-CMSP07 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
For golf enthusiasts, this is the best reason to visit Cumberland Mountain State Park.
Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain was designed by The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus.
A championship level course that is open to the public is a rarity. Thus, Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain was named “One of the Top Ten You Can Play in North America” by Golf Magazine.
SM-CMSP06 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
It’s like this at Cumberland Mountain State Park…
I sat on a fallen tree to tie a loose boot lace, and I noticed this reflection beside me in Byrd Creek. At CMSP, wonders never cease!
SM-CMSP03 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
If you love nature, you appreciate seeing Heartleaf plants emerge from pine needles in December. What a welcome and amazing sight!
Are you not yet a nature lover? Spend time in a Tennessee State Park and you will surely learn to experience the joy and peace nature offers us humans.
SM-CMSP02 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
The longest and most challenging trail at Cumberland Mountain State Park is called the Overnight Trail.
It features about six miles of Cumberland Plateau topography, with an abundance of solitude. Make it a two-day Overnight Trail adventure by reserving this back country campsite.
SM-CMSP01 Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
The first night I camped at Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville TN, I enjoyed a night hike along Byrd Creek Trail.
I thought the yellow-blazed trail would return me to its trailhead near the park office. When I came to a trail junction in the pitch-dark woods, I used my Avenza GPS map to walk Cumberland Plateau Nature Trail to the multi-arch dam.
How fortuitous to see the back side of the famous dam at night during the holiday season!