Laurel Run Park — Attraction in Tennessee

Beautiful piece of land on the Holston River. Originally created as the backdrop for the movie The River with Mel Gibson. There's a field with basketball courts, tennis and Frisbee golf, a picnic and playground area for parties and kids is in the woods. Because the wide spot in the river here is made up of steps cut in the rock for the movie, the fishing can be good. A 5'8" man such as myself can wade half way across the water to a drop off where the original river ran and catch channel cats, bluegill and rock bass, and more I'm sure, out of nests in that wall. But the best part of the park by far is a hiking trail that goes up into Bays Mt. For the experienced hiker, runner, or mountain biker the trail runs to Bays Mt. State Park, past a fire station and looping around, you can make it as long a trip as you want. I think its roughly 9 miles to the other park and the loop. For the less experienced site-seer there's two beautiful waterfalls not to far up trail, wide spots in a winding creek you'll cross a few times on your hike. Below the top on is a pool large enough locals swim in it. It's a beautiful piece of nature full of wildlife (you'll see squirrels and chipmunks, owls and all manner of birds, colorful flowers, and of course rattlesnakes and copperheads, so watch your step! It's a well kept trail into the wilderness of East Tennessee. Follow the right path and you can even see log cabin style homes that are from the time the area was first settled, a little village from...

This park was an integral part of my childhood and has been a wonderful place to go walk and clear my mind as an adult. I was astounded at the state of disrepair the park is in when I went yesterday, however. Whoever is supposed to be in charge of taking care of the park is not doing their job. There are downed trees or trees that look like they’re about to fall all along the road going into the park. The main parking lot and side roads are all in DESPERATE need of gravel (and have been for a few years now). The side roads are all pure mud. There is debris, muddy sludge and broken tree branches all along the walking path near the river. All the trees that were planted there a year or so ago died. The park is not well maintained and it makes it hard to enjoy using the walking path. I also wish that they would put up a sign banning bicycles on the walking path. It is not a bike trail or a place for kids to ride bikes. I shouldn’t have to stop walking and step off the path because someone’s entire family tree is standing there in the way attempting to teach a toddler how to ride a bike. And I shouldn’t have to constantly look behind me because kids are almost running me...

Laurel Run Park is a wonderful place for an outdoor play day with my toddler. There is well maintained playground equipment for children's use, picnic pavilions, and several trails to explore with all ages of family and friends. The wildflower blooms are bodacious and are like a sea of purple, green, and white with touches of yellow currently in the forests of the park. Springs are flowing and the water is quite cold. The waterfalls are a cool place to spend time and even have a picnic. I use a baby backpack and carry my toddler smilie on the trail. This means that the trails in my opinion are actually quite easy considering that I am carrying around 50 pounds on my back. I heard from the park Superintendent that there are Black Bears, Otters, Deer, and many other animals roaming throughout the park. I personally observed throughout the day bear tracks, raccoon tracks, otter tracks, and deer tracks. An otter was spotted climbing the hill from the River today but I missed getting a picture of it. Terrific place and highly...