Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area
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Trail Overview
Working farm with hiking trails leading into nice forests. Important bird-watching area for rare golden-wing warblers.
How to get there
From Johnson City, TN
- Head south on Roan Street for 3.5 miles passing under I-26.
- Take left/east onto TN359/Okolona Road and travel 1.4 miles.
- Take right/south onto TN361 over to US19E for nine miles. The road starts as Laurels Road, then Dry Creek Road and finally Gap Creek Road.
- Travel US19E for ten miles to town of Roan Mountain.
- Take right/south onto TN143.
- As soon as the highway divides take left/north onto Old Highway 143.
- Turn right/east onto Hampton Creek Road and proceed three miles
- Parking area is on left/east side of road. Space available for a dozen vehicles.
Route Description
There are currently three trails in the nature area. All begin from the parking lot by following the Overmountain Trail to common junction. Shell Hollow proceeds up a dirt road past a former homestead to become a loop up on Big Ridge. Birchfield Trail follows the western side of Left Prong creek until it rejoins the Overmountain Trail, which proceeds on the eastern side of the creek but continues up Yellow Mountain to intersection with the Appalachian Trail at the gap.
Trail | Miles | Blaze | Difficulty | Usage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shell Hollow Trail | 2.0 loop | Easy | ||
Birchfield Trail | 2.3 | Easy | ||
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail to Yellow Mtn Gap/AT | 3.75 | OVNHT Icon | Medium |
Typical Conditions
Signage for the OVNHT is adequate while those for the other two trails needs to be updated as not clear where are their lower access points. The information kiosks at several points also have badly crazed, thus should be considered for replacement.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No permit or fee. The nature area closes at dusk.
After the Hike
Misc. Information
Hampton Creek Cove is a 693-acre natural area. The official TN.gov Hampton Creek Cove webpage including map.
Maps
Yellow track is the Overmountain Victory Trail within the state natural area.
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Photos
- Placeholder.jpg