Standing Stone State Park — Attraction in Livingston

This park would deserve five stars if not for cars speeding on the main park road. When we were there on a Sunday through Wednesday in October, the trees were at peak fall color, so I was surprised the campground was so empty. The site we chose for a 23-foot travel trailer was a little small for our rig and our vehicle, but that was probably our fault for not picking a larger one. It was the first time we chose a sight that was not described as level, so it also took longer than usual to set up camp. Despite the short length, the campsite had a generous living area with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill.

All this aside, Standing Stone State Park is surrounded by 11,000 acres of State Forest and would be lovely any time of the year, but it was exceptionally beautiful with the trees in the brilliant reds, sunny yellows, and fiery orange of Fall. As it offers many activities, such as a swimming pool, boat rentals, and playgrounds, I imagine it is much busier in the summer, but we enjoyed the solitude of our stay. Usually, we do a lot of hiking, but the portions of the trail within the park were overgrown and too steep to walk with our dogs, who tend to pull a lot. We took part of the trail from the cabin area to the boat docks and the dam. We also walked along the main road, but when the sidewalk ended, I felt a little nervous walking on the shoulder due to the speeding cars.

On subsequent days we left the park to hike in the State Forest and the nearby Cummins Falls State Park. The area offers a diversity of natural areas and many interesting...

This is a review of the cabins. The park itself is pretty much the same as every other TN state park: there is some light to moderate hiking surrounding a body of water, and something of modest historical interest. Fine. What I take issue with is the borderline-false advertising online regarding the cabins. The state must have put out some serious taxpayer dollars to hire a top of the line real estate photographer to take the pictures in these cabins. They look ten times nicer in the pictures than they actually are. The website claims they have been updated recently (2020) with new kitchens and floors. If that’s true, then every person who has stayed there since must have worn cleats inside, and the state sourced these kitchen renovations directly from the 1950’s. The countertops are sheet metal. All the cabinets are poorly made and painted plywood. The oven is barely a foot wide. The fridge stank like mildew and the couch like Lysol. There was nowhere to relax, which was the point of our trip. The bed was a full, with no headboard and it was on wheels (?). The sink for the bathroom was outside the bathroom and two feet off the floor, but the doorways weren’t wheelchair accessible so the low sink doesn’t make any sense. The whole place was maybe 300 square feet, and a lot of wasted space. We booked for the whole weekend but left after the first night because it was so uncomfortable. I would only recommend this place as a day trip. There’s really not much for...

A Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers

Standing Stone State Park: Located in the heart of Tennessee, Standing Stone State Park is a nice place for outdoor enthusiasts. Let me paint you a picture of this serene retreat: Natural Beauty: Imagine over a thousand acres of lush greenery, surrounded by a whopping 10,000 acres of state forestry land. The park’s name comes from a massive sandstone rock formation that stands tall, almost like a guardian of nature.

Activities Galore: Whether you’re a hiker, camper, or water lover, Standing Stone has something for everyone. Explore well-marked hiking trails that wind through forests and meadows. Set up camp under the star-studded sky. And yes, there’s a big swimming pool where you can cool off during those hot Tennessee summers! Cabins and Cozy Retreats: The park offers charming cabins, both modern and historic. Picture yourself sipping coffee on the porch, listening to birdsong. It’s a slice of rustic paradise.

Boating and More: Grab a paddle and explore the tranquil lake. Boating here feels like gliding through a watercolor painting. 🚣‍♂️

Community Spirit: Standing Stone hosts events throughout the year, from marble tournaments (yes, you read that right!) to family-friendly gatherings. It’s a place where neighbors become friends.

👍 What We Loved: The untouched beauty of the landscape. The friendly staff who make you feel like part of the family.

The sense of adventure—you never know what you’ll discover around...