West Tennesseans gather for first hike of the year at Middle Fork Bottoms

THREE WAY, Tenn. — At the beginning of every year many people make resolutions for various different things. Sometimes, people want to start to get more active.

Many people gathered at different state parks around Tennessee Thursday morning to participate in the first hikes of the year. Middle Fork Bottoms was one of those locations.

Park Ranger Jacob Newby tells us what Thursday was all about.

“This is a great opportunity to show people that a state park, or just any other park, can be a part of that. We go on a little walk and explore the park. I also like it as a good opportunity to tell people what they can expect from us this year,” said Newby.

Back in August of 2024, Middle Fork Bottoms officially became a state park. Newby tells us why this place is special.

“We have so much potential and so much that we’re cooking. This is really going to be an amazing state park. Especially in the next 5 to 10 years as we start to build things up,” said Newby. “They have a rare opportunity to be apart of that. We have some volunteer events that we are planning for this year.”

If you have never been to this state park. It really is a special place with so many fun things to do and see.

“Bird watching is a great one. A lot of people come out here to fish. I would say the most common thing people come out here for is simply to exercise and getting to be outdoors. A lot of people walk their dogs or walk with their families out here,” said Newby.

They are also planning on building a visitor’s center very soon.

In the winter, the park closes at 5pm. But in the summer months, it is open until 8.

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