David Crockett was a pioneer, soldier, politician and industrialist. He was born near the little town of Limestone in northeast Tennessee in 1786. In 1817, he moved to Lawrence County and served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia and as a state representative. Along the banks of Shoal Creek, in what is now his namesake park, he established a diversified industry consisting of a powdermill, a gristmill and a distillery. All three operations were washed away in a flood in September 1821. Financial difficulties from this loss caused Crockett to move to West Tennessee where he was elected to Congress. While in Washington, he fought for his people’s right to keep land they had settled on in the new frontier of West Tennessee. Crockett died at the Alamo Mission in March of 1836 while aiding the Texans in their fight for independence from Mexico. The 1,319-acre park has a museum, staffed during the summer months, with exhibits depicting Crockett’s life here and a water-powered grist mill.

In addition to the paved bike trail, the park has more than eight miles of hiking trails. The trails offer scenic vistas of Shoal Creek and Crockett Falls, limestone bluffs, abundant wildlife and serene forest. The Overlook Trail runs parallel to the Shoal Creek Trail.

During the summer months, swimming and boating are popular. An Olympic-sized swimming pool with a modern bathhouse and vending machines is a great way to beat the heat. There is ample sunbathing space and a wading pool for children. Lifeguards are on duty during swimming hours. Lake Lindsey is ideal for cooling off. Paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and fishing boats are available for rent.

David Crockett State Park has seven cabins near beautiful Lindsey Lake. Each cabin is completely furnished with two bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen and covered patio. These unique modern accommodations were designed and built with energy efficiency in mind. They are designated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified vacation homes. For campers, the park’s two campgrounds contain a total of 107 sites, some equipped with a table, fire ring and grill and 30 amp electrical and water hookups. Campground #1 also has 8 primitive camp sites.

The park has an onsite restaurant that overlooks 40-acre scenic Lindsey Lake. The restaurant features home-style cooking from the buffet or menu.

Activities

PADDLING
A variety of boats are available for rent. Visitors may pay for watercraft rentals with cash at the boat dock or with a debit/credit card by stopping by or calling the park office.

BIRDING
The 1,100-acre park is primarily covered in pine-oak-hickory forest. The over six miles of trails in the park offer opportunities for viewing woodland birds including migrants in the spring and fall. Over 100 species of birds have been identified in the park.

SWIMMING
The David Crockett pool is open Memorial Day through the second weekend in August. Admission is $5 for ages three and older.

HIKING
There are approximately 10 miles of natural and paved hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate. The trails offer scenic vistas of Shoal Creek and Crockett Falls, limestone bluffs, abundant wildlife and serene forest. Trail maps are available online.

BIKING
A paved bicycle trail carries you through the woods where you may see wildlife along the ride.

FISHING/BOATING
Lake Lindsey (35-acres) is known for catches of bass, crappie, Bluegill, and catfish. Fish length and creel limits are posted. Rowboats are available to rent year-round.

Campground

Campground # 1 has 45 sites each equipped with 30-amp electric and water hook-ups. There are also 10 primitive sites available. Campground #1 (along Shoal Creek) is open from March 15 through November 31.

Campground # 2 has been renovated and features 52 newly paved sites each equipped with 50-amp as well as 30- and 20-amp electric and water hook-ups. Campground #2 is open year-round. The lower bathhouse (beside site # 74) in will be closed December through February.

Centralized bathhouses provide hot showers and restrooms. A dump station is available for self-contained rigs.

Reservations may be made online or by calling the park office. Stay limit is two weeks during peak season (March through November) and 28 days during the off-season (December through February).