Red Clay State Park in the Tennessee River Valley and Mountains

Red Clay state Historic Park encompasses 263 acres of narrow valleys and forested ridges that average 200 feet or more above the valley floor. The site contains a natural landmark, the great council spring or blue hole, which rises from beneath a limestone ledge to form a deep pool that flows into Mill Creek, a tributary of the Conasauga and Coosa River system. The Cherokee may have chosen this site for their council meetings because of this ready source of water.

Red Clay served as the seat of the Cherokee government from 1832 until the forced removal of the Cherokee in 1838. It was the site of the 11 general councils, national affairs meetings attended by up to 5,000 people. Here, Cherokee leader John Ross led the fight to keep the Cherokee's eastern lands, refusing the government's efforts to move his people to Oklahoma. Red Clay proved to be the Cherokee's last refuge their capital in exile.

Here the Cherokee learned that they had lost their mountains, streams and valleys forever and that they would be forced to be remove to Indian Territory.

Facilities at Red Clay State Park
James F. Corn Interpretive Center
Replica of a Cherokee Council House and Farmstead
Amphitheater
Picnic Shelter

Activities
Hiking
Picnicking

Park hours: March 1 - November 30: 8:00 am until sunset

Park hours: December 1 - February 28: 8:00 am until 4:30 pm

Park closed: December 25.

Visitor's Center closed: December 20 - January 1

From Chattanooga: I-75, take exit 3-A 9 (E. Brainerd Rd.) travel 8 miles East on Brainerd Rd., turn right on London Lane for 2.3 miles. Continue traveling straight on to Keith Road for .5 mile, turn left on mt. Vernon Rd. Travel for 4 miles. Turn left on Old Apison Rd., travel for 7 miles. Turn left on Red Clay Park Road and travel 1.5 miles to park.

for more information:
Red Clay State Park
1140 Red Clay Park Road
Cleveland, Tennessee 37311-8386
423-478-0339