Frozen Head State Park

LOCATION
• Frozen Head State Park is north of I-40 outside of Wartburg, TN in the Cumberland Mountains.

DIRECTIONS
• From Harriman take Hwy. 27 North to Wartburg. Turn right (East) on Hwy. 62. Travel 2 miles and turn left on Flat Fork Road. Travel 4 miles to the park entrance

DESCRIPTION
• 13,000+ acres of forest, creeks, and wildflowers
• Frozen Head Peak is one of the highest peaks in Tennessee- 3,324 ft
• In the fall of 1952 the entire state forest was burned by the worst forest fire season in state history
• State Park status 1970

ACTIVITIES
There are over 80 miles of hiking trails; a 7 mile unpaved biking trail, fishing, horseback riding, and camping available. There are also picnic facilities, playgrounds, and sports fields available.

ISSUES
• Camp sites are limited. I recommend the primitive sites along the main road. The 21 sites by the bathhouse are crowded and do not allow much privacy.
• Primitive site number 5 & 6 are in front of the parking area. If you do not care about people walking through your site, going to and from their cars, then these sites are the most convenient.
• Bathroom availability at the primitive sites is limited
• The trail maps are not clear concerning the trail layouts and the mileage is incorrect.
• It’s very damp. There is not much sunlight filtering through the trees at the primitive sites.

POSITIVES
• The park is not very crowded with hikers
• View from the fire tower is nice on a clear day
• Primitive campsites are big and secluded
• Free firewood at the bathhouse
• The forest is lush with large trees, laurels, and ginseng
• Trails are well maintained
• Wildflowers are abundant
• Clean restrooms
• Friendly park rangers

SYNOPSIS
Outside of the trail mileage on the map somewhat wrong, our trip was wonderful. We chose a primitive camping site by the creek and it sang us to sleep after a long day of hiking. We hiked to the fire tower along North Old Mac Mountain Trail and returned by the Judge Branch Trail. Our estimated mileage was 9+ miles; however, the trail map said it was approximately 6+ miles. Along the trail, we only saw 3 sets of hikers even though the camping sites were full. The next day we loaded up our gear and headed to the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Area and hiked a quick 2 miles before heading home.

LINKS
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/FrozenHead/index.shtml
http://www.mapquest.com/
http://www.nps.gov/obed/index.htm