Warriors' Path State Park

"The most heavily traveled road in Colonial America passed through here, linking areas from the Great Lakes to Augusta, Ga. Laid on ancient animal and Native American Trading/Warrior Paths. Indian treaties among the governors of NY, PA & VA and the 19 chiefs of Iroquois League of 5 Nations in 1685 and 1722, opened the Colonial Backcountry for peaceful settlement and colonialization. In VA at the Great Salt Lick, the Path forked and to the West and into TN was known as the Great Wilderness Road to Nashville."
~ Historical Marker at Warriors' Path State Park

In 1952 the 950-acre area was acquired from the Tennessee Valley Authority as a park for local residents and regional tourists. It is located on the TVA Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River.

The TVA built the dam between 1951 and 1953. It is 95 feet high and 737 feet across the South Fork Holston River. The TVA calls this reservoir a "run-of-river " reservoir because they do not store water there long term. Its water level averages around 1260 feet sea level.

It is a popular site for fishing, particularly for rainbow trout, bluegill, bass, and crappie. There are 134 campsites with tables and grills and many have water and electric hookup.

The park has 8.5 miles of biking trails, a small marina with a snack bar and paddle boat and canoe rentals. There are 2 boat launching ramps for public use.

Best of all, the park offers a spectacular playground for children of all abilities. "Darrell's Dream" Boundless Playground opened in April 2007 with $3 million funding from many sources. A path has been paved around the area to have a Braille/audio trail based on C. S. Lewis' Narnia stories and characters.

Visitors enter through the coat-filled wardrobe from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" story, stroll past Mr. and Mrs. Beaver's home, a statue of Mr. Tumnus and the White Witch's sleigh. There is a remarkable, fully-accessible tree house. The playground has a picnic pavilion and handicapped accessible restrooms. It has swings, slides, sand, puzzles, climbing poles, a puppet theater and pipe bells.

Warriors' Path State Park is located on Hemlock Road in Kingsport. To learn more, call (423) 239-8531 or click here to visit the Tennessee State Parks website.

Links to references in this article:

• TNStateParks.com
• Fort Patrick Henry Dam
• Darrell's Dream Boundless Playground
• TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation