Booker T. Washington State Park — Attraction in Harrison

This past Saturday, June 2nd 2018 my family and I decided to check this park out after a morning church function based on other's reviews and arrived so we arrived ready to do a picnic. First time in the park so we decided to drive around to get acquainted with it. We found the amount of pavilions and picnic tables limited (compared to Harrison Bay State Park just up the road). The picnic tables exposed to the elements seemed they could use some care. The pool seem to be going through some construction and it is currently closed. The benches placed on the lakefront areas seem new and well cared for. Seems fishing from this park would be good. We wanted to do some swimming in the lake after the picnic but we didn't see any place attractive enough to do so. Just before exiting the park we saw the park had an area for camping and decided to check it out. I guess we was distracted looking around that we missed the signed that said "DO NOT ENTER" so a park ranger came after us. The ranger was courteous and professional. He allowed us to circle around and reiterated that we was in a restricted area. Three other vehicles did the same after us so we didn't feel so bad. I feel a gate in addition to the sign would be more appropriate. At this point I would recommend Harrison Bay and Chester Frost...

Oh, my goodness…. I L.O.V.E. this park! What a stunning place. So happy I had a opportunity to see it. There’s so much history and beauty around the park, located on the shores of Chickamauga Lake — Tennessee and built largely by African-American units of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Nice bike trail, hiking trail, several playgrounds, picnic shelters, basketball court, a swimming pool — beautiful old trees, shrubs and dogwoods in full bloom. The lake is amazing, the sunset views are incredible. Really enjoyed the park and will go back often. Felt a real connection to the park. It’s warm, charming, well maintained, peaceful, family oriented, culturally diverse and there’s a sense of community. Park staff and Rangers are awesome. Adding Booker T. to my fav list! #SupportStateParks 🥾🏃🏿‍♀️🚴‍♀️🐠🛶🎣🚤🧘🏽‍♀️🕊️🌞❤️🚶🏾‍♀️

Note: No parking/entrance fee to #TennesseeStateParks and WiFi available all throughout the park. Consider a donation.❤️

“A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right, and evil doesn't become good, just because it's accepted by a majority.”

— Booker...

Today I've decided to give the park a one star review I'd give half if I could. Now usually my family and I would have the grandest time, having fun enjoying the nature and natural beauty of the park collecting rocks ever so often. But today was less than fun,we showed up to do the usual our favorite hobbie collecting rocks no harm done. We are aware of the law of collecting things but we can't sell them,we never intended to anyways. About 15 mins in of collecting rocks we get stopped by a ranger of some sort telling us we can't take anything off the property. Now out of curiosity we asked the question of why? He made the generic excuse of "for educational purposes". Now granted I respect the law and the officers but what if I too was using the rocks for "educational purposes". It simply wasn't that simple,oh no. Of course we weren't the only family there planning to have a fun day at our favorite spot,a group of "well to do" folk we're there also which brings me to the conclusion of they had made a call to the ranger because we were an eye...