red clay state historic park

This park is magnificent. There are period buildings, a small museum and tiny library offering books to study the Cherokee population, genealogy, and the Trail of Tears. Also available are a seven minute video, living history weekends and a holy spring that is ice cold. The Blue Hole has a legend about The Other People who live on the other side living in the opposite season we live in. It is an awesome picnic, kite, hiking kind of place. i have been to weddings, family reunions, and school field trips to the park, and have attended The Cherokee days of Recognition. This is an amazing family kind of outing!

We live less than 30 minutes from this park. Excellent for walking and outdoor activities, picnics, etc. Learn about Cherokee history from the people themselves.

Good place for families for outdoor activities. The whether was not great so couldn't enjoy much but I am sure that in summer there would be more to enjoy.

We learned so much about the Cherokee Indians who I admire because of their ability to live off the land. This museum was a wealth of information and I saw many Indian items I had never seen before. It was well organized and everything had a great explanation and pictures with it. Thereare also some nice trails to explore for hiking. There is a paved trail that leads to some Indianbuildings with signs that tell more of their stories.

Red Clay is an out of the way state park. It features an interpretive center for the Cherokee. The spring is simply beautiful, as are the walking trails. Best of all there is hardly anyone there. Take some time and check this place put. Dog friendly.

Red Clay is a beautiful park that is filled with history. It was the last meeting place prior to the Trail of Tears. The meeting place, as well as log homes used by Cherokee have been carefully reproduced. There is an interesting museum, beautiful trails, an eternal flame and 'the Blue Hole', a sacred clear pond used by the Cherokee. What a great family spot! I have been multiple times for various events including a lovely day of meditation.

This is a lovely park with plenty of history, albeit a very sad chapter in our history. There is also a beautiful spring in the center of the park. Admission is free, although donations are accepted - so there’s really nothing to lose. My only “ding” to the place are some of the interpretive displays seem to be outdated and are offensive. They refer to someone as a half-breed wife without any qualifications, and another display lionizes Andrew Jackson despite his role in this disgraceful chapter in our history (The Trail of Tears). I realize he’s from Tennessee, but still. But overall, it’s a lovely place to explore and it’s informative. As an aside, it’s a plus if you’ve been to New Echota in Georgia as the two are inexorably linked.

We took the kids there yesterday and had a picnic. We also visited the Museum and theater and learned about our ancestors, The Cherokee Indians. My oldest is 11 and he enjoyed it all! They also waded in the stream coming out of the Blue Hole. Very cold water, but refreshing on a HOT day!

The park is very pretty, there are pavilions and walking trails. You can see the eternal flame burning as a memorial to the Native American struggles. There is a nice cool spring you can put your feet in with apparently fresh and drinkable water. There is no playground area for kids to enjoy, so they tend to get bored quickly.

We enjoy taking our dog to this park. It is usually not very crowded and a beautiful place full of nice walking trails. There are cabins and buildings to look at, very wooded but yet has some beautiful clearings as well if you want to play ball, throw a Frisbee, etc . One area has a pavilion and picnic tables for groups or just a nice lunch outing for your family. It is a little hard to find, but there are signs leading you in. I recommend it highly if you want a quiet relaxing afternoon surrounded by nature.There is a small store and restrooms. The restrooms have always been well stocked and clean when we are there.

This rural park is not far from Collegedale and Cleveland, TN.Trail of Tears which ran through the area. Several historic buildings on premises and hiking trails. Check out the Blue Spring bubbling out of the woods.

Interesting since my great-great grandmother was a Cherokee Indian woman who walked the Trail of Tears. Heart warming, and I made a special connection with her spirit.

I have visited here many times, it's an amazing park and when you understand the history behind the park- it's even more amazing. Nice places to walk, picnic and just enjoy being outside.

Red Clay is of great historic significance since it is where "The Trail of Tears" or as it is sometimes known "Trail of Death" began. In the 1800's the Cherokee Indians were forced from their homes & land and were made to walk to Oklahoma. A great many did not survive the journey, being too old, weak, or just not up for the long journey. Red Clay State Park is a real bargain since there is no admission fee charged, although they do accept donations. The Park has camping, hiking trails, a small stream, and a Visitor Center to visit. It has Park Rangers who maintain the facility and are very knowledgeable about the Park & the history of the Cherokee Indians as well. Visit their website to find dates & times for events at the site lasting several days. During these festivals there is Indian dancing, authentic food, souvenirs, and all types of items to interest one and all! The small Visitor Center has a film that shows the plight of the Cherokee & how it occurred, as well as exhibits that introduce you to history . They also have actual artifacts from the time period. "The Friends of the Park" occasionally have additional events and we were able to attend one of their raffles, where a beautiful quilt was given away to a man from the local Ham Radio Club in Cleveland. Plan to stay awhile to explore the Park and enjoy its' different activities and available facilities!

My family stopped at Red Clay on the way to Cleveland's Apple Festival. We had a nice shady spot for a picnic and then took a walk around the beautiful property, looking at the older buildings and taking in the scenery. As the others have mentioned, there isn't much else to do here but it isn't too far off of the highway and it makes a great spot to enjoy some history and soak in some nature.