Standing Stone State Park Park

Introduction of Standing Stone State Park

Standing Stone State Park, with nearly 11,000 acres to explore, is located on the Cumberland Plateau of Standing Stone State Forest in northeastern Tennessee. The unusual name comes from a large rock nearby that was 12 feet high and stood on a ledge of sandstone. According to legend, the stone served as a boundary line between two Native American tribes, and when it was destroyed, a piece of it was placed in a monument. This stone is still standing in Monterey, 30 miles to the south.

The 69-acre Kelly Lake (also known as Standing Stone Lake) is popular for fishing, with black bass, catfish, trout, and bluegill being the most common species. Boating is another enjoyable activity for park visitors, and you can even rent boats here. If you want to swim, the park has a seasonal pool, or you can swim with the fish in Kelly Lake, Mill Creek, or Morgan Creek. On land, you can hike over eight miles of trails, have a picnic at one of the pavilions, and even go to the marble yards.

Every September, the park hosts the National Rolley Hole Marble Championship and Festival, which has been televised on ESPN, CNN, and other major networks. It even made an appearance in a Peanuts comic strip. Food, games, music, marble making, and other activities are all part of the marble contest. If you want to visit during the festival, you should make your reservation as soon as possible because this is an international tournament attended by people from all over the world.

Standing Stone State Park Camping

The campground at Standing Stone State Park has 36 campsites that can accommodate motorhomes and trailers up to 45 feet long and is nestled in the tall pines of the Standing Stone State Forest. Two comfort stations with modern restrooms and hot showers are located in the campground’s center. Each location has a picnic table with seating for six people. Cooking is simple on the provided pedestal barbecue, or you can use the campfire ring or your own grill. You can also cook inside because each site has water and 20, 30, and 50-amp electric hookups.

Your four-legged family members are welcome as well, as long as you keep them leashed or restrained at all times and supervise them. The camp is located in the northern section of the park, off TN-136, and is close to everything fun, such as the lake, recreation centers, marble yards, pool, and several trails. You’ll also be close to several picnic areas, the Visitor Center, and the historic tearoom. Reservations are required and may be made up to a year ahead of time.

If you want to spend a night or two indoors during your RV trip to Standing Stone State Park, there are 21 different cabins to choose from. Park the rig and head to one of these cozy retreats with your crew, including your pooch, because 16 of the 21 cabins allow pets for a small fee. There are seven deluxe cabins that can accommodate up to ten people. Each has three bedrooms, a full bath, central air and heat, a fully equipped kitchen, and satellite TV. There are beds, bedding, and towels provided.

The 14 rustic cabins range in size from four to eight people. They all have central air, four beds (either twin bunks or queens), a full bathroom, and a fireplace, despite their different layouts. There are no televisions in these cabins. Some have central heat and are open year-round, while others are only open from April to October. You can make reservations up to a year in advance, so plan ahead of time.

If your family or group is too large for a cabin, one of the three group cabins is an option. With six bunk beds and five double beds, Group Cabin 1 can sleep up to 16 people. With eight double beds, Group Cabin 2 can also accommodate up to 16 people. With six double beds, Group Cabin 3 can accommodate up to 12 people. Pets are welcome in all of the cabins, so bring your furry friends along for the adventure. With the gas fireplace in the cosy living room, you can stay toasty warm even in the winter. Relax on one of the plush couches or lounge chairs, or at the dining room table, which seats eight people. Two bathrooms, each with two toilets and two showers, will help you get ready for the day faster. The fully equipped kitchen includes all appliances, including two refrigerators, as well as all necessary pots and utensils. Outside, there’s a deck with seating and a BBQ pit for grilling up some steaks for dinner. The boat dock is nearby, so you can spend the day on the water or hike to the nearby swimming pool.

Standing Stone State Park Activities

Swimming

Before visiting Standing Stone State Park, make sure to pack sunscreen and bathing suits in your RV. The park has an Olympic-sized swimming pool that is open to visitors from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. All you need to bring are your towels because the beach is equipped with lifeguards, a snack bar, and bathhouses. If the pool is closed, you can swim in Kelly Lake or one of the creeks that run through the park.

Boating

All year, you can bring your kayak or canoe to Standing Stone State Park and enjoy the lake. You can rent a boat from the park if you don’t have one. They have kayaks, canoes, and aluminum fishing boats, as well as pedal boats. On the fishing boats, you can only use electric trolling motors, which the park does not provide, so you must bring your own. Or simply grab a paddle and a paddleboard and head out onto Kelly Lake’s tranquil waters.

Picnicking

Grab the hot dogs, burgers, and buns and head to the park for a picnic with the family. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park, each with its own barbecue grill for your use. Make sure you have the essentials, such as charcoal, BBQ tools, and eating utensils. If you have a large family or group, you can also reserve a picnic shelter at the park. Depending on which pavilion you choose, it can accommodate 24 to 90 guests. Pavilion 5, right next to the dam, seats 90 people and has a playground, volleyball, horseshoe pits, and a recreational field.

Fishing

The 69-acre lake, known as Kelly Lake or Standing Stone Lake, has plenty of hungry fish just waiting for visitors to cast a line out. Trout, which is stocked annually in the winter, is one of the most popular fish in the park. These are best caught with pink or yellow flies while fly fishing. Live bait and bobbers, as well as flies and other lures, are excellent for catching bass. Catfish can grow to be enormous in this area, so bring a net and a line with live bait and a sinker on it. Then simply relax and wait. First, obtain a Tennessee fishing license.

Hiking

Pack your comfortable hiking shoes in your RV before heading to the park to enjoy the hiking trails. The 4.6-mile Lake Trail is the main trail. It starts at the suspension bridge beneath the dam, where you cross Mill Creek and then climb some stairs to the right. Turn left onto the old road, then continue up the hill to the Moses Fisk House. You’ll cross Beach Road and continue down a set of wood stairs to the trailhead. Follow the trail markers over more bridges until you reach one of the spur trails or the dam.

Standing Stone State Park Location

You should have no trouble finding Standing Stone State Park because it is located just off TN-52 and TN-136. I-65 to the north and west, I-75 to the east, and I-40 to the south are the nearest interstates. Hilham, three miles to the south, is the nearest town. Nashville, the state capital, is only about 100 miles to the west and makes an excellent side trip. The Grand Ole Opry House, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Johnny Cash Museum are all worth seeing.

The roads leading into the area are mostly highways and are simple to navigate. However, any rig longer than 30 feet must use the TN-52 entrance because the park’s bridge cannot accommodate RVs longer than 30 feet. To get to the campground, take TN-136 south from TN-52 in the north. From the south, the bridge over Kelly Lake on TN-136 is only for rigs under 30 feet.

Aside from that, there are no restrictions for RVs or trailers in the park, but the campsites can only accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length. There are only 36 campsites, so make your reservation as soon as possible. Water and 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electric hookups are available at all sites, and the maximum stay is 14 days.

Parking

Parking is available

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available