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Tennessee
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Tennessee State Parks

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USA Parks
Tennessee
East Region
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
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Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park © Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The entrance to Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee, USA. A Tennessee Historical Commission marker on the right one of five such markers at the park entrance explains the significance of the shoals.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park © Brian Stansberry (photographer) / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mountain River Trailhead at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee, USA.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park © Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Palisades, parapet, and corner cabin at the reconstructed Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in the U.S. state of Tennessee.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park © Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park © JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
RECONSTRUCTED FORT THAT STOOD ALONG THE WATAUGA RIVER. THE FORT RESISTED A 3 WEEK SIEGE BY INDIANS IN 1776
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SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC PARK
SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC PARK
1651 West Elk Avenue
Elizabethton, Tennessee   37643
(lat:36.3429 lon:-82.2549) map location

Phone: 888-867-2757
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park protects the land that was the location of several important historical events that occurred in the late 18th century. Leaving the English colonies, settlers began arriving along the Watauga Old Fields, in search of a new life on what was Cherokee land. John Carter, one of the primary political, military and business leaders of this era, and his son Landon, built a home, the Carter Mansion, three miles from Sycamore Shoals. This structure is the oldest standing frame house in Tennessee and dates back to the mid to late 1770s.
History of the Area
In 1772, leaders in the settlement came together to establish the first free and independent community on the continent, four years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Three years later, the largest private real estate transaction on our continent, the Transylvania Purchase, took place at this site, when Judge Richard Henderson negotiated an agreement with the Cherokee leaders. In reaction to this event, Fort Watauga was constructed in 1776 to protect the settlers from Cherokee attack.

On September 25, 1780, Sycamore Shoals became the muster site of the Overmountain Men, who set out to find British Major Patrick Ferguson, who had threatened to hang your leaders and lay waste to your country with fire and sword. The Overmountain Men defeated Ferguson in just over an hour in the epic battle of Kings Mountain. Many historians believe that the actions of these men at Sycamore Shoals turned the tide of the American Revolution, and saved America from British rule and control.

Sycamore Shoals became a state park in 1976. The parks visitor center houses interpretive exhibits highlighting the history of this time, a bookstore and gift shop, and park information. Located behind the visitor center is a reconstruction of the 18th century Fort Watauga, now the site of educational programs and musters presented by the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia.


Location
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is located near Blountville, Bluff City and Bristol

Trails
Sycamore Shoals has three hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate

Patriot Path 1.0 Miles Fine Gravel Easy
Longhunter Loop 1.0 Miles Natural Moderate
SS Trail - 0.25 Miles - Easy
Birding
Birding at Sycamore Shoals is good throughout the year, but best during the spring and fall migrations. The Watauga River Trail is popular for spotting yellow crowned night herons, various waterfowl, and migratory warblers along the river. During early May and October, the Lee and Lois Herndon Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society leads Saturday morning bird walks at the park.

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Area Campgrounds
Lakeview RV Park
4550 Highway 11E
Bluff City, TN
Woodsmoke Campground
215 Woodsmoke Drive
Unicoi, TN
423-743-2116
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Cole's Tackle Box
816 Highway 321
Hampton, TN
(423) 725-4954
Unaka Rod & Gun Club Inc
90 Furnace Rd
Johnson City, TN
(423) 926-0221
Area Cabins and Lodges
Watauga Lakeshore Resort
2285 Highway 321
Hampton, TN
(423) 725-2223
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

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Tennessee
11

Tennessee State Parks

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