Discover Scott: 2014 Vacation & Relocation Guide to Scott County, Tennessee by Ben Garrett

A vacation and relocation guide to Scott County, Tennessee

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Welcome to Scott County, Tennessee!

e would like to welcome you to beautiful Scott County Tennessee and we hope you enjoy your time spent here. We are glad you have chosen our County as a place to drive thru on a road trip, an overnight stay at one of our great motels or cabin rentals, camping in the Big South Fork Park or many other various activities we have to offer our guests. Our County is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see

“I’ve always said that Scott County, Tennessee, is the center of the universe!”

— Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. Former Senate Majority Leader, Chief of Staff for President Ronald Reagan and Scott County resident.

and with activities such as horse back riding, fishing, hunting, museums, bike riding, ATV riding, hiking, various festivals throughout the year or just relaxing by a campfire in one of our many places to camp, we are confident you will feel the same. We have so much to offer while you are here and I am sure you will fall in love with our County and make it one of

Hiking

Mountain Biking

Off-Road Riding

Rock Climbing

Whitewater Paddling

Horseback Riding

Wildlife Viewing

Fishing

Hunting

Wagon Rides

Attractions

Community Parks

Directory

Relocating

ON THE COVER Melissa Capps, an Oneida resident and owner of Pixel Star Photography, captured this fall shot of Jake’s Hole at the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, just above the historic O&W Railroad Bridge. Once a rail line between Oneida and Jamestown, the Oneida & Western rail grade is today a scenic dirt route for motor vehicles from Oneida to the Big South Fork River. The remainder of the route is a multiuse trail for bikers, hikers and horseback riders. See more of Melissa’s photos of the Big South Fork and Scott County at www.flickr.com/people/pixelstarphotography.

your yearly vacation destinations or maybe a weekend getaway or possibly even make this your permanent home. So please enjoy your stay with us and on behalf of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce and all our citizens, we want to say thank you for choosing beautiful Scott County, Tennessee. Melvin Stephens

President Scott Chamber of Commerce

President Melvin Stephens Vice President Christy Lawson-Harness Secretary/Treasurer Jacob Billingsley Executive Director Stacey Kidd

DIRECTORS

■ WATCHABLE WILDLIFE, PAGE 15

Craig Allen, Farmer’s Insurance Sharon Baird, Roane State CC Sheneka Burchfield, FNB David Cecil, Winfield Mayor Laura Day, People’s Bank of South Hank Duvall, Scott County Airport Ben Garrett, Independent Herald Hank Hill, Boys & Girls Club Brandon Hughett, Hughett Aviation Marlesa Jahay, Citizens Gas Greg Jeffers, Custom Greg’s Jim Johnson, FTSB Judy Jones, Farm Credit Services Jack E. Lay, Oneida Mayor Jerry Lay, Lay Family Furniture Ken Martin, Plateau Drug Center Hillard Mattie, WBNT Kellie Mays, Children’s Center Dwight Murphy, TN Technology Ctr George Potter, Huntsville Mayor Brandon Ryon, Phillips-Jones Erika Schmelter, Brimstone Rec Betty Sexton, Highland Steel Charles Sexton, Human Outsource Diann Stephens, Highland Telephone Paul Strunk, Member At Large Jeff Tibbals, Scott Co. Mayor Hunter West, Citizens First Bank Miranda West, Deaconness

800-645-6905 info@scottcountychamber.com www.scottcountychamber.com www.discoverscott.com www.scottcoindustry.com

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 3

■ HIKING “There is no place so impressively solitary as a dense forest with a stream passing over a rocky bed at a moderate inclination” — John Muir, describing the Big South Fork area in 1867.

Scenic vistas await at Honey Creek

aybe it’s the way Boulder House Falls tumbles through a tunnel of sandstone boulders. Maybe it’s the cool and inviting swimming hole at the base of Honey Creek Falls. Or the massive caverns like Indian Rockhouse. Or the panoramic view of the Big South Fork River from Honey Creek Overlook. Whatever the reason, Honey Creek Loop Trail has become a favorite among hikers in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Honey Creek isn’t the longest trail in the 125,000-acre national park. At 5.5 miles, it might seem like child’s play on paper. But, mile for mile, it may be the most strenuous hike that BSF has to offer. Formerly known as Pocket Wilderness, the Honey Creek Loop traverses some of the most beautiful — and rugged — terrain the Big South Fork NRRA has to offer. The 5.5 miles, descending into the BSF River gorge and ascending back to the top of the Cumberland Plateau on more than one occasion, encompass a little bit of everything Big South Fork Country has to offer: hardwood forests and hemlock groves; ridge tops and cliff faces; deep rock houses

and waterfalls. The trail is rated as strenuous, and requires the better part of a day to complete. Caution is urged in cold weather, as the trail involves numerous boulder crossings and creek crossings that can become icy during the wet winter months. Access to the trail is the Honey Creek Trailhead, just off Honey Creek Road near Robbins, Tenn. To access from Huntsville: take U.S. Hwy. 27 south to Old Hwy. 27, then follow the signs to Burnt Mill Bridge. The Honey Creek Trailhead is located just a few miles west of the bridge.

■ Hiker’s paradise PANORAMIC BSF: A view of the Big South Fork River from Honey Creek Overlook along the Honey Creek Loop Trail. Above, right: A hiker takes a photograph of Boulder House Falls.

The Honey Creek Loop Trail is just one of dozens of hiking trails in the BSF, ranging from short, lei-

surely strolls along rivers or streams to challenging, multi-day hikes across the heart of the Cumberland Plateau. Stop by the Scott County Visitor Center to purchase a waterproof trail map from National Geographic or visit our website, discoverscott.com, to learn more about the hiking opportunities.

■ Explore the John Muir Way The longest hiking trail in the BSF actually bisects Honey Creek Loop. The John Muir Trail stretches almost 60 miles from Burnt Mill Ford on the southern end of the park to Pickett State Forest on the northwest corner of the park. For years, the JMT through the BSF has actually existed in two sections: the northern leg, from the historic Oneida & Western (O&W) Railroad Bridge to Pickett, and the southern leg, from Burnt Mill Ford See HIKING, page 4

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Look for the signs The John Muir Trail through the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is marked with the John Muir silhouette, distinctive signage bearing the likeness of Muir. The Sheltowee Trace Trail is marked with a turtle — Sheltowee, the Shawnee Indians’ name for Daniel Boone — means “Big Turtle.” The trails encompass sections of other trails but the marking is consistent.

Hiking

Continued from page 1 to Honey Creek. In early 2014, the “missing link” of the trail was completed, connecting the Honey Creek Loop Trail to the O&W Bridge. Hikers generally complete the JMT in a week or less, depending on the pace they set for themselves. The trek offers a little bit of everything — from leisurely strolls along the Big South Fork River to moderate-to-difficult climbs up the sides of the gorge encasing the river, incredible views from the top of the plateau, old farms and homesteads, mountain streams, rock houses, and everything else the Big South Fork has to offer. One of the key points along the John Muir Trail is the Angel Falls Overlook, a popular vantage point along the Grand Gap Loop Trail, approximately three miles from Leatherwood Ford. Other key points include the historic No Business community, now deserted and reclaimed by nature, Maude’s Crack — a narrow passageway through the gorge wall, chimney rocks and ancient farmland that has now mostly disappeared into the undergrowth. Early spring and late fall are considered the best times to make the hike, after the threat of cold and snow have passed and before it arrives again. Obstacles include wet creek crossings and, especially during the dry summer months, a lack of water along portions of the trail. The John Muir Trail commemorates John Muir’s 1,000-mile walk to the Gulf of Mexico in 1867 — a trek that took him across the Cumberland Plateau and through Big

South Fork Country. Born in Scotland, Muir (18381914) was one of the earliest advocates of wilderness preservation in the U.S. He founded the Sierra Club, which remains one of the most influential conservation organizations in the U.S. Often referred to as the father of America’s national parks system, Muir was chiefly responsible for the establishment of the Yosemite and Sequoia national parks. Biographer Daniel Worster once said that Muir’s mission was to “save the American soul from total surrender to materialism.”

■ Oneida: southern terminus of the Sheltowee Trace Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, Oneida is the southern terminus for the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail. The Sheltowee Trace draws its name from Daniel Boone, the famous American explorer and pioneer who was given the name — meaning “Big Turtle” — by the Shawnee Indians after being adopted into the tribe. From its starting point at Leatherwood Ford on S.R. 297 west of Oneida, Sheltowee Trace follows the John Muir Trail for much of its route through the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area to Pickett State Park in neighboring Pickett County. From there, the trail continues north, extending more than 300 miles through the Daniel Boone National Forest before ending at its northern terminus outside the college town of Morehead, Ky. The trail generally requires three to four weeks to complete. For more information, see the Sheltowee Trace Association’s web-

site: www.sheltoweetrace.org.

■ Cumberland Trail comes to Scott County Tennessee’s Cumberland Trail passes through eastern Scott County along its trek through the Cumberland Mountains. The trail is being built in segments and will eventually extend 300 miles from Cumberland Gap National Park in Kentucky to Chattanooga National Military Park at Signal Mountain, Tenn. To date, 175 miles of the trail have been constructed. In Scott County, the trail travers-

es a section of the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, a 145,000-acre management area that is the second largest tract of contiguous public property in Tennessee (behind the Cherokee National Forest). A trailhead is available on Norma Road off S.R. 63. See www. cumberlandtrail.org for more information.

■ Need more? Find more, including trail descriptions and trailhead maps, at www.discoverscott.com. Contact the Scott County Visitor Center at 800645-6905. Contact the Big South Fork NRRA’s Bandy Creek Visitor Center at 423-286-7800.

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 5

■ BIKING

“

Epic rides await in Big South Fork Country

When you’re to areas where you’re riding on the pretty much isolated edge of the from the whole world,” Big South says Cross. Fork River And the trails are gorge and you have a suitable for everyone. 200 ft. vertical drop “My wife loves these with the trail just 10 trails,” says Conner. ft. away from it . . . “She rides them and you just don’t find she likes to bring her that anywhere else.” buddies up from KnoxThose are the ville to ride. words of Randy Con“I tell people you ner, past president pretty much have to go of the Appalachian out west somewhere Mountain Biking to find the views that Association, based in you’ll find here in the Knoxville, Tenn., as Big South Fork.” he describes mounCheryl Cribbet, tain biking opporwho owns and opertunities in the Big ates Cabins of Elk Run South Fork National adjacent to Brimstone River & Recreation Recreation in HuntsArea. ville, Tenn., says BSF is Those mountain a must on every mounbiking opportunities tain biker’s bucket list. are pretty much end“There aren’t many less in the 125,000places where you can acre national park. NO ORDINARY RIDE: The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area offers 34 miles of trails that have been rated park and ride like you “epic” by the International Mountain Biking Association, and hundreds more miles of trails that are shared with horseback riders. can here,” she says. Most equestrian trails — and there “There are ridge lines, making it possible to ride all day, that come close are Florida’s Big are hundreds of miles of them — forests, creek crossings . . . it’s really hitting all the trails at once. Cypress National Reserve (30 miles) quite diversified.” are open to mountain bikes. Those “When IMBA designates someand New Mexico’s Chaco Culture that aren’t are indicated at the trail thing as an ‘epic ride,’ they’re telling National Historic Park (27 miles). heads. But it is the 34 miles of bikepeople that it’s a destination,” says Two of the trails — Grand Gap specific trails that you will want to Big South Fork Bike Club president Loop (6.8 miles) and a portion of ride first if you’re new to the BSF . . Joe Cross. “They aren’t saying, ‘Take the John Muir Trail (7.0 miles, one . and it’s those same trails that will your bike along, you might enjoy it.’ way) — are shared-use hiking trails. likely keep you coming back time The five trails rated “epic” by They’re saying, ‘You need to take a The other three are used only by after time. IMBA are all located in the vicinity trip there and check it out.’” bikes. Those five trails are so good, in of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center Cross, a retired Oneida, Tenn., “When you’re out there on the fact, that they received the coveted off S.R. 297. pharmacist, and his bike club have Grand Gap Trail on the edge of the “epic” designation from the InterDuncan Hollow Loop: Beginworked hand-in-hand with the Nagorge and you can’t see anybody or national Mountain Biking Associaning at the Visitor Center, the trail tional Park Service to identify and anything, it’s just a different feeltion (IMBA) in 2012. Not just any begins and finishes on the Duncan construct dozens of miles of bike ing,” says Conner. “These trails are bike trail receives that designation. Hollow Road. After 1.5 miles, the trails. just fun to ride.” IMBA designates only six-to-eight trail leaves the gravel roadway and The trails designated by IMBA Throw in the hundreds of miles locations in the entire world each turns into a single-track trail with as epic include Collier Ridge, West of horse trails that can be biked, and year, and the Big South Fork is the some fun downhill sections and an Bandy, Duncan Hollow, Grand Gap it’s a smorgasbord of opportunities first national park unit in America to easy stream crossing before climbLoop and a portion of the John for cyclists. receive the “epic” rating. ing back to Duncan Hollow road. Muir Trail. Just by themselves, they “Part of the allure of Big South Those five trails are located in represent the largest mountain bike Fork is that you can do some rides close proximity to the Bandy Creek trail mileage of any national park in around the Bandy Creek Visitor See BIKING, page 6 Visitor Center and Campground, the continental U.S. The only parks Center and stay close, or you can go

■ Bike trails of the Big South Fork

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Biking

Continued from page 5 The total distance is 5.3 miles, with 3.0 miles of gravel road and 2.3 miles single track. Time allowance is 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, depending on skill level. Collier Ridge Loop: The trail begins at the Visitor Center and ends on West Bandy Creek Road. After 1.1 miles, the trail leaves the roadway and a single track begins on the left side of West Bandy Creek Road. The single track section features creek crossings, jumps, sandstone climbs and drops, slalom sections through trees and fast downhill runs. After 1.8 miles of single track, the trail splits — allowing riders the choice of a novice or Duncan Hollow Road and Alfred advanced section. The total distance Smith Road. is 8.0 miles with 3.6 miles of gravel John Muir Trail: The porand paved road and 4.4 miles of tion of the John Muir Trail between single track. Time allowance ranges from 45 minutes to an hour and 45 minutes, depending on skill level. West Bandy Trail: The trail begins at the Visitor Center. Initially following West Bandy Creek Road, the trail departs the roadway on the right after 0.4 miles past the beginning of the Collier Ridge Loop. The single track section features creek crossings and short, steep sections. Riders can return to the starting point by following the West Bandy Creek Road. Time allowance ranges from 20 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on skill level. Grand Gap Loop: This trail is a 6.4 mile loop trail best ridden counterclockwise. It is shared with hikers. The trail is mostly flat, smooth and single track ideal for beginner and intermediate bikers. The trail travels along the cliffline which overlooks the river. The start of the trail is located 3.8 miles from NARROW TIRES: Road bikers at the 2013 Big Bandy Creek by following

South Fork Bluegrass & Bike Festival in Oneida, Tenn.

Grand Gap Loop and Station Camp is open to mountain bikers. The trail is mostly flat and single track, and runs parallel to the edge of the river gorge.

■ Road bikes, too Mountain biking isn’t the only game in town for cyclists. Road biking is a form of recreation that is growing in popularity. On Sept. 13, 2014, the Scott County Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual Big South Fork Bluegrass & Bike Festival at Oneida City Park. This year’s event, headlined by Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, will spotlight road biking, with several road biking routes of various lengths mapped through Oneida, Tenn., to the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Currently, work is on going to identify permanent road bike routes around Oneida. In the meantime, road bikers are particularly fond of S.R. 297, the two-lane highway that connects Oneida to the national park. And the BSF welcomes cyclists on the shoulders of every paved road within the park. For more information, contact the Scott County Visitor Center at 800-645-6905.

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■ OFF-ROAD RIDING

Huntsville, Tenn.: Off-road capital of the world

our-wheeling has long been a way of life in Scott County. With steep hills to climb, big rocks to crawl, scenic ridgelines to cruise and muddy creek bottoms to spin through, the Cumberland Mountains are an off-road rider’s paradise. Today, we’re sharing that way of life with the world. More than 170,000 acres of off-road riding awaits in and around Scott County — on lands that are both publiclyand privately-owned. Much of it has only been opened to widespread ATV use in the past few years, making it a brand-new experience for visitors. It may be new, but this area has already been recognized as one of the top spots to ride your ATV . . . not just in the South, but in the entire nation. In fact, one publication named Brimstone Recreation, 20,000 acres in the Cumberlands that are managed specifically for ATVs, as the nation’s No. 1 destination for offroad vehicles. Whether you prefer to get muddy or take a leisurely ride and enjoy the beauty of the mountains, we have a trail for you to explore.

■ Brimstone Recreation Your ATV adventure in the Cumberland Mountains of Scott County begins with Brimstone Recreation. The almost 20,000 acres of Brimstone property allow all types of recreation — including horseback riding, hiking, fishing and private hunting leases. But ATV riding is the No. 1 allure at Brimstone.

headline the event, which will be part of Scott County’s Sizzlin’ September. For more information, see www.brimstonerecreation.com.

■ Trail’s End Campground & Motosports Park

There are more than 300 miles of ATV trails on the Brimstone property, ranging from gravel roads that are utilized by gas companies and are suitable for scenic drives by beginners to rough-and-tumble trails that will test the merit of even the most advanced riders. Along the trails, riders will find numerous overlooks with scenic views of the surrounding Cumberland Mountains, cultural points of interest to explore, and miles and miles of pure, uninhibited fun. ATV Action magazine said of Brimstone, “It’s truly the Disneyland for OHV enthusiasts, and some of the trails ought to have names like Space Mountain or Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.” Brimstone offers a campground and cabin rentals for guests, and there

are three special events hosted on the property at various points of the year. WinterFest, held the first weekend in March, is a way for ATV riders to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. The White Knuckle Event on Memorial Day weekend and the SXS/ ATV Roundup on Labor Day weekend draws thousands for three days of events and music at Brimstone’s Half Cabin Event Area high in the mountains. Some of Nashville’s best-known stars have performed at the events, including David Allen Coe, Tracy Lawrence, Rhett Akins, Justin Moore and Brantley Gilbert. Polaris, meanwhile, will make Brimstone the location of its firstever Camp RZR in the eastern United States on Sept. 19-21. Dierks Bentley and Josh Thompson are scheduled to

Located just around the road from Brimstone Recreation outside the county seat of Huntsville, Tenn., Trails End Campground offers a full-service campground (with electric and water hookups) for riders in the North Cumberland WMA, as well as direct access to the WMA’s trails. Trails End also includes a motorsports park for Motocross racing and practice. The campground is a partner with TWRA on the North Cumberland WMA. Like Brimstone, Trails End Campground hosts ATV festivals each Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, combining off-road vehicles and country music. Among the artists who have performed at Trails End thus far are Craig Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Rodney Atkins and Colt Ford. For more information or to book a camping site, see www.camptrailsend. com.

■ Wildlife management area The North Cumberland WMA See ATVS, page 8

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North Cumberland, and is issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency). Back-country camping is permitted throughout the WMA, and a full-service campground is available at Trails End Campground near Huntsville, Tenn. For more information and to purchase permits, see www.tnwildlife.org.

ATVs

Continued from page 7 encompasses 145,000 acres of the Cumberland in Scott, Campbell, Anderson and Morgan counties. In addition to being home to one of the largest elk herds east of the Mississippi River and several species of rare or endangered songbirds (such as the Cerulean warbler) and fresh-water mussels, North Cumberland WMA is also a get-away for ATV riders. All-told, there are more than 600 miles of multi-use trails within the WMA, all of which are open to ATVs. The trails range from gravel roadways to more technical dirt trails. North Cumberland borders Brimstone Recreation on three sides, making it possible for riders to enjoy both tracts of property (a separate permit is required for

■ Lodging options

GET DIRTY . . . or not. It’s your choice in Scott County, Tenn.: the off-road capital of the south.

Brimstone Retreats and Cabins of Elk Run (www.elkruntn.com) both offer cabin rentals with immediate access to the Brimstone Recreation trails. Grand Vista Hotel is located in Huntsville, just a short distance from Brimstone Recreation and North Cumberland WMA. Several other lodging options are available in neighboring Oneida. (See page 29.)

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■ ROCK CLIMBING

‘The South’s last rock climbing frontier’

asual sight-seers look at the cliff wall towering over the historic O&W railroad bridge at the Big South Fork River and see a photo opportunity. Rock climbers look at it and say, “Yeah, I’d climb that.” Climbers call the 400-ft. cliff face, which stands sentry over the O&W bridge and the BSF river, the “O&W Wall.” And it’s the gateway to rock climbing along the Tennessee section of the northern Cumberland Plateau. But that’s just relative speaking. For the most part, the rocks here — including the O&W Wall — haven’t been discovered. Rockclimbing.com, a website devoted to rock-climbing enthusiasts, lists several different routes up the sheer sandstone rock face — routes that have been mapped over the years. They have such names as “Original Route,” which is exactly what its name suggests, “The Dog and Pony Show,” “Cheap Seats” and “Under the Big Top.” No matter what you call it, a route through the crevices from the bottom of the BSF river gorge to the plateau above is an enticing opportunity for climbers. “The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is one of the south’s last climbing frontiers,” notes the website MountainProject.com. “Word is that there’s more rock here than in any other part of the southeast. Though there’s been climbing in the Big South Fork for at least 20 years, the potential for route development has barely been tapped.” One of the pioneers, so to speak, of rock-climbing at the O&W and the BSF is Nashville’s Jeff Noffsinger, a name that is well-known among climbing enthusiasts. “It’s an enigma in the climbing world,” Noffsinger says of the BSF gorge. “Big South Fork has around 4,000 miles of rock and almost nobody climbs there.”

hands of climbers.” Averill ranks the BSF first among the Southeast’s seven best rivercarved canyons for climbing. And while special regulations exist due to the BSF’s status as a federally-preserved landscape — no motorized drills for anchor bolts, for example — the National Park Service welcomes climbers here.

■ Explore the O&W rail grade

Photo — Daniel Worley, MountainProject.com

VETERAN CLIMBER: Jeff Noffsinger climbs the O&W Wall that towers over the O&W Railroad Bridge.

The Big South Fork NRRA has been compared with another Cumberland Plateau climbing destination — the Red River Gorge in Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest. But the Red River Gorge is renowned among climbers. The BSF isn’t . . . yet. Climbers who know the area best aim to change that. “Big South Fork has more rock

than a Metallica concert, but nobody’s climbing it,” Graham Averill wrote for Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. “Maybe it’s the rattlesnakes, or the lack of trails, or the commitment it takes just to descend by foot into the rocky gorge. Whatever the reason, the miles of cliffs and boulders that define the Big South Fork are left virtually untouched by the chalky

In the early 20th Century, teams of workers spent months digging through hillsides and blasting through sandrock to carve a railroad line through the rugged terrain of Big South Fork Country in order to reach the rich reserves of coal and timber that lay beyond the traditional reach of man. Today, the old O&W Railroad grade is one of Scott County’s best “Sunday drives.” The road is only partially improved — going from pavement as it leaves Oneida to gravel to, eventually, just dirt — but it is suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles. The drive offers views of towering cliff walls — it passes through the most rugged part of the canyon encasing the BSF River — tumbling mountain streams and, depending on the season, blooming wildflowers, rhododendron and more. From the historic O&W Bridge across the BSF River, enjoy a quick hike to Devil’s Den — a symmetrically-perfect rock house near the top of the gorge. (Distance: 0.5 mile, one way; difficulty: strenuous.) Or stretch your legs with a stroll along the river. The O&W Bridge is a popular starting point of the John Muir Trail, which follows the river to Leatherwood Ford (approximately 3.0 miles, one way) and far beyond. (See related story, page 3.)

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■ WHITEWATER PADDLING

The ‘Big Three’ define Big South Fork whitewater

his river is unique. It’s beautiful.” Those are the words of former Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area ranger Kevin Moses. He should know. Moses spent more than seven years in the Big South Fork, much of that time paddling the Big South Fork River and its major tributaries. “The scenery you will see on the river is the prettiest scenery in Scott County,” he said. He’s referring to “The Gorge,” a stretch of river between the confluence of New River and Clear Fork to form the Big South Fork and the historic O&W Bridge further downstream. Between those two access points, the closest a person can get to the river on foot is the Honey Creek Loop hiking trail — a rugged footpath. The Gorge section of BSF contains the wildest water that the river has to offer. Included are the “Big Three” rapids, back-to-back-to-back Class III-IV rapids that draw whitewater enthusiasts from around the Southeast to this river. Much of the Big South Fork river system between Brewster Ford (S.R. 52 near Historic Rugby) to Blue Heron (historic mining camp in southern Kentucky) is Class I and Class II, with the exception of a pair of dangerous Class IV rapids (Angel Falls and Devil’s Jump). But between

ROLLING ON THE RIVER: A team of paddlers tackle the Double Drop rapid on the Big South Fork River. The rapid is one of the “Big Three” rapids on The Gorge between the confluence of New River and Clear Fork and the O&W Bridge.

the confluence of New River and Clear Fork and the O&W Bridge, much of the water is Class III and Class IV. Further downstream, after Pine Creek has emptied into the Big South Fork just upstream from the O&W Bridge, The Gorge ends and The Canyon begins. The river consists of sustained Class III rapids with some sharp gradients mixed in before the water calms as North White Oak Creek empties in below O&W Bridge. While The Gorge and The Canyon

are the most popular on the river, the Big South Fork offers a little something for everyone. Peters Bridge to Brewster Bridge: The upper-most run takes paddlers along a six-mile stretch of the Clear Fork River. Put-in is at Peters Bridge on Peters Ford Road (off S.R. 52 just east of Allardt, Tenn.) and take-out is at Brewster Bridge on S.R. 52 near Historic Rugby. The average drop is 7 and the difficulty is Class I-II. The trip takes about a half day to

complete. Brewster Bridge to Burnt Mill: The 10.5-mile trip along Clear Fork offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the river. Put-in is at Brewster Bridge on S.R. 52 and takeout is at Burnt Mill Bridge on Honey Creek Road near Robbins, Tenn. The average drop is 12 and the difficulty is Class II-III. See PADDLING, page 11

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: Paddling on the Big South Fork offers a mix of untamed water and untamed scenery.

Paddling

Continued from page 10

Burnt Mill Bridge to Leatherwood Ford: This is the stretch of water that gives the Big South Fork its fame among paddlers. Put-in is at Burnt Mill Bridge and take-out is at Leatherwood Ford on S.R. 297 west of Oneida, Tenn. The distance is 11 miles, the average drop is 20 and the difficulty is Class III-IV. Sometimes referred to as “The Gorge Run” or “The Canyon Run,” this stretch begins on Clear Fork and continues after the confluence with New River to form the Big South Fork. The trip encompasses the deepest part of the Big Sout hFork gorge. Some paddlers choose to shorten the run by putting in at the confluence off John Long Road near Oneida, which requires a hike from a trailhead. White Oak to Burnt Mill: An 11-mile trip down South White Oak Creek to Clear Fork, with roughly half the trip occurring on the smaller creek and the second half on the river. Put-in is at White Oak Bridge on S.R.

52 near Historic Rugby and take-out is at Burnt Mill Bridge. The average drop is 13 and the difficulty is Class II. There are no major rapids but plenty of scenic beauty. New River to Leatherwood: This 15.5-mile trip is similar to the Burnt Mill to Leatherwood run, beginning on New River and continuing on Big South Fork past the confluence. Put-in is at New River Bridge on U.S. Hwy. 27 south of Huntsville,

8.5-mile trip includes no serious rapids but plenty of scenic beauty along North White Oak Creek and continuing on the BSF. White Oak Creek empties into the BSF just below O&W Bridge, where the river calms considerably after emerging from “The Canyon.” Put-in is at the old Zenith mine off Mt. Helen Road southeast of Jamestown, Tenn. Take-out is at Leatherwood Ford. The average drop is 22 and difficulty is Class II. Leatherwood Ford to Station Camp: This 8-mile stretch of mostly calm water is suitable for beginners. However, Angel Falls is located along the route and should be portaged at any level. The rapid is not marked. Put-in is at Leatherwood Ford and take-out is at Station Camp on Station Camp Road east of Oneida, Tenn. The average drop is 5 and the difficulty is Class I-II (except for Angel Falls, which is Class V). Some paddlers choose to float on to Blue Heron for a multi-day trip. Station Camp to Blue Heron: A 19-mile run of mostly calm waters except for Devils Jump, which should be portaged at any water level. The rapid is not marked. The run typically

‘This river is unique. It’s beautiful.’ Kevin Moses, former BSF ranger Tenn., and takeout is at Leatherwood Ford. The average drop is 14 and difficulty is Class I-IV. New River is gentle but roughens considerably before the confluence, After the confluence, the river is almost consistently Class IIIIV, including the “Big 3” rapids. The trip requires a day of serious paddling to complete. For overnight trips, a nice camping spot is available at the confluence before the trickiest part of the journey begins. Zenith to Leatherwood: This

See WHITEWATER, page 12

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Whitewater Continued from page 11

requires two days to complete. Plenty of suitable camping locations can be found on either side of the river. Putin is at Station Camp and take-out is at the historic Blue Heron mining community near Stearns, Ky. The average drop is 5 and the difficulty is Class I-II.

■ River levels The following river level descriptions are taken from the National Park Service’s website, where they were prepared by four whitewater clubs as general descriptions of what the river might be like at various levels. 500 (CFS): This level is considered very low. The rapids, especially

on Clear Fork, are extremely technical. Broaching on rocks due to the tight passages is likely. Bottoming out in the vertical drops is common. Rapids, especially in the main gorge, are steep and rocky. Pinning is possible. River classification: Class III with one or two Class IV’s. 1000 CFS: This level is considered optimum for open canoes. Rapids remain technical and rocky. Several drops are still very vertical. Waves grow to 2-4 feet in height in places. Canoe swamping is possible. River classification: Class III with a few Class IV’s. 1800 CFS: Clear Fork becomes much less technical and sports several Class III rapids. The main gorge begins to have big water at this level, with several waves topping out at 4-5 feet. Vertical drops still exist at Double Falls, Washing Machine, and The Ell (The Big Three), as well as two drops in the canyon. The Big Three section is solid Class IV. Rescue between drops becomes problematic at this level, and some rapids, e.g., Krekels (Honey Creek Rapid), are

continuous for over 1/4 mile. River classification: Class III-IV. 2500 CFS: The river maintains a similar character at this level, with waves reaching 6 feet in heights. Some holes become very tenacious at this level, particularly those at The Ell, Rion’s Eddy, and the Canyon. Overall difficulty is Class III - IV with several strong Class IV’s. 3500 CFS: Clear Fork rapids become nearly continuous at this level. Water in the Little Three rapids is powerful, with reactionary waves beginning to form in the 6 foot range. The main gorge is Class IV and very powerful. Waves in the 6 foot range are common, with several waves up to 8 feet. Swirly water and whirlpools begin forming at the bottoms of rapids at this level. Rescue becomes very difficult because of the swiftness of the water, and the length and difficulty of the rapids. 5000 CFS: At this level, the river changes character. Waves in the 6-8 foot category are common, with a few attaining 10 feet in height. Some eddies are very unstable, and waves

begin to pulse. Diagonal reactionary waves are common in the gorge and make upright boating continuously difficult. Equipment is frequently lost if not retrieved expeditiously. River classification: Class IV. 10,000 CFS: Clear Fork has rolling 4-5 foot waves for much of its length. The Little Three is a solid Class IV plus with large reactionary waves for 1/2 mile. The main gorge resembles the New River Gorge at medium water levels. Waves are huge, especially in the Big Three and the canyon sections. The canyon is very dangerous at this level because it is continuous for 1-1/2 miles with only a few eddies. The waves in the main current average 7 - 8 feet. The water is up in the brush and trees in places, thus making rescue extremely difficult and broaches a possibility. Several giant holes appear which can be extremely dangerous, e.g., Krekels (Honey Creek Rapid). Above 10,000 CFS there is a river wide hole between the EL and the Honey Creek Rapids, caution is advised. River classification: Class IV - V.

■

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 13

■ HORSEBACK RIDING

BSF: Largest equestrian trail network in the East

id you know that the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area has the largest network of public horse trails — 180 miles in all — east of the Mississippi River? If you didn’t, you aren’t alone. But more and more equestrian trailriding enthusiasts are learning the secrets that the national park holds. Big South Fork country is truly a horseback rider’s paradise. The network of trails range from short day trips to strenuous trips that will require several days to complete. The trails roam through beautiful river gorges with towering cliff lines overhead, past rock houses and natural arches, along open ridgelines with views of the surrounding countryside and through shaded creek bottoms crowded with hemlock and other evergreens. There is almost no bad time to ride at the Big South Fork. The winter opens up the landscape, affording riders views that are unmatchable just about anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains. The spring brings blooming redbuds and dogwoods and an abundance of wildflowers. Cumberland azalea, rhododendron and mountain laurel bloom in the summer. And, of course, the fall foliage beneath a clear, blue sky on an October afternoon in the Cumberlands is simply in a league of its own. The network of trails — the Big South Fork NRRA is one of the most “horse-friendly” parks in the nation — and the concessions and businesses that cater to horseback riders in and around the park make a trip here a must. Southeast Pack Trips: Located on the west side of the BSF, Southeast Pack Trips offers guided trail rides of two hours, half-day, allday or multi-day trips through the national park. www.southeastpacktrips.com. Bandy Creek Stables: Adjacent to the Bandy Creek Camp-

PEACEFUL TRAILS: From lazy mountain streams to towering cliff lines, the BSF’s vast network of horse trails offers a little of everything.

ground and Visitor Center in the Big South Fork, Bandy Creek Stables offers stables for those who wish to board their horses while staying at the campground. Long-term boarding is also available. 423-286-7433. Station Camp Horse Camp: A National Park Service concessionaire operates this horse camp on the eastern edge of the Big South Fork NRRA, along with a similar horse camp (Bear Creek) on the Kentucky side of the park. The campsite includes water and electrical hookups, tie-outs for horses, restrooms with showers and a dump station. Dozens of miles of horse trails are immediately available from the campground. www.bigsouthfork-

horsecamps.com. Charit Creek Lodge: Located in a scenic valley deep within the Big South Fork backcountry, Charit Creek has been rated as one of the nation’s best remote lodges. Charit Creek Lodge is housed on a farm that dates back to the early 19th Century and offers a full range of amenities, including cabin and dormitory rentals, meals, restrooms and showers. In addition to horseback, the lodge is also available by foot and bike. Stalls are available for boarding horses. www.charitcreeklodge.com. Cabin Rentals: Several lodging options exist outside the Big South Fork campgrounds. (See the directory, page 20). However, two offer

direct access to the BSF’s equestrian trails: Laurel Fork Retreat (www.laurelfork.com) and Wilderness Resort (www.wildernessresort.com). Gear: Equestrian supplies are available at South Fork Tack, located on S.R. 297 — the gateway to the Big South Fork NRRA — just west of Oneida. 423-569-6700

■ Popular rides in the Big South Fork Because the network of trails in the Big South Fork is so extensive, See HORSES, page 14

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trail (one way) that provides access to Laurel Fork and Station Camp creeks. Cumberland Valley: The Cumberland Valley Trailhead is located on a gravel road that exist S.R. 297 just west of the Big South Fork’s west entrance. Cumberland Valley Loop is a 15.9-mile ride that includes the O&W Bride and access to Zenith. Station Camp: The Station Camp Trailhead is located on Station Camp Road just east of the Station Camp Horse Camp. It provides access to the 15.0-mile Pilot Wines Loop Trail, one of the most popular rides in the Big South Fork NRRA.

Horses

Continued from page 13

the National Park Service recommends that all horseback riders purchase a National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, which is color-coded and includes all trails within the national park. The map is available from the park visitor center at Bandy Creek or from the Scott County Visitor Center on U.S. Hwy. 27 in Helenwood. Bandy Creek: The Bandy Creek Equestrian Trailhead is located west of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center off S.R. 297. A corral and water are available. The North White Oak Loop is an 18.5-mile ride that includes the Leatherwood Overlook. The Jack’s Ridge Loop is an 8.2-mile ride. The Charit Creek Lodge is 7.1 miles from Bandy Creek by way of the Jack’s Ridge Loop Trail. The Duncan Hollow Trail is a 5.8-mile

RIVER CROSSING: Jerry Lay, owner of Lay Family Furniture in Oneida, crosses the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River at Station Camp on his horse, Goldie.

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 15

■ WATCHABLE WILDLIFE

Boars, elk and bears — oh, deer!

rom large mammals like the black bear and wild elk to rarely-seen songbirds like the Cerulean warbler, the northern Cumberland Plateau is home to a diverse population of wildlife. In the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, an estimated population of 300 black bears — a number that rivals the black bear density in the Great Smoky Mountains — roam the forests. They can most often be seen around the Bandy Creek Campground and Visitor Center, near Station Camp River Access, or in the area around the trailheads at Twin Arches and Terry Cemetery. Black bears can also be seen at North CumPROTECTIVE MOTHER: A black bear sow watches cautiously berland Wildlife Manageas her cub peeks around the tree at a photographer in the Station Camp area of Big South Fork NRRA. ment Area, a 144,000-acre (Photo: Melissa Capps/Pixel Star Photography) WMA that straddles the Cumberland Mountains in southeastern Scott County. the golden-winged warbler often The North Cumberland nests in reclaimed strip mines WMA is also home to the secondwith grass and black locust cover. largest free-ranging elk herd east of Other neotropical migratory the Mississippi River. The bugle of songbirds in the Cumberland an elk on a crisp October morning is Mountains include wood thrush, one of nature’s most awe-inspiring scarlet tanager, ovenbird, blacksounds, and it can be heard in many throated green warbler and areas throughout the wildlife manageKentucky warbler. The variety ment area. Elk are most often spotted makes the North Cumberland along the various gravel roads high in WMA a treasured destination for the hills of the WMA, or along S.R. 63 birdwatchers. at the Scott-Campbell county line east At both Big South Fork and of Huntsville. the North Cumberland, meanSpeaking of the North Cumwhile, wild boar can often be berland, it is home to the Cerulean sighted roaming the woods or warbler and golden-winged warbler meadow edges. The “razorbacks” — two songbirds often sought out by are often of European or Russian birdwatchers. The Cerulean warbler variety, though some carry the frequently nests in mature forests at markings of domesticated pigs higher elevations of the WMA, while

that have intermingled with the herds in years past. Bald eagles often nest in Scott County, and are most often seen during the cool weather months,

close to bodies of water. Other wildlife you might catch glimpses of include red foxes, whitetail deer, wild turkey, coyotes, beavers, bobcats and — in the Big South Fork — river otters, along with a wide variety of smaller mammals and upland birds.

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■ FISHING

If these streams could talk . . .

f the streams that bisect the northern Cumberland Plateau — New River to the east, Clear Fork to the west — to form the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River could talk, what secrets might they offer up? These streams have seen cultures, ways of life, come and go — from days before mankind first pushed through the plateau’s virgin forests to the deep gorge encasing the Big South Fork, to the days when Native Americans fished the streams and hunted the wildlife that was abundant here, to the days when white settlers began setting up subsistence farms along the river banks. There’s one sure-fire way to get the Big South Fork and its major tributaries talking and offering up at least one of their best-kept secrets: there’s good fishing in these waters. You won’t find the Big South Fork on the wish lists of very many anglers. But a few hard-core fishermen know the truth: catch the conditions when they’re right, and know which baits are most attractive to the smallmouth, and fishing in these local streams is hard to beat. Fish are plentiful in the Big South Fork, and in the Clear Fork and New River further upstream, making an ultralight rig and a couple of reliable lures the perfect combination for a fine morning on the water — especially in late summer, when conditions are right. Ask anglers in the know and many of them will tell you the same thing: there’s no better way to play this game than by getting up close and personal with the fish. Wadingand-casting is the name of the game, and its results are hard to beat . . . which is just as well, since the best conditions for late summer bass

fishing find the streamflow too low for open canoes on much of the Big South Fork, particularly on the upper reaches of the river system. Those same anglers will tell you that the secret is to get to the water early. Real early. “Too many fisherman roll out of bed at eight o’clock, drive to the closest spot they can get a truck to the water, cast a few times, then complain because they didn’t catch any fish,” says Corey Andrews, who has fished these waters for years. “If you aren’t on the water at the break of dawn, you might as well stay home.” With the best stretches of river for wading-andcasting often located a mile or more from the nearest access road, that means setting out on foot from your parked vehicle as the first light is just beginning to show in the eastern sky. Ideally, you’ll be slipping into the water before sunrise.

Where to fish ■ Big South Fork

■ Oneida City Park

■ Flat Creek Reservoir

■ Conservation Lake

Main Species: Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, walleye, muskie, bluegill Boats: Boats are permitted (no motors allowed). Streamflow best suited for canoes, kayaks and small john boats. Licenses: Tennessee fishing license required.

Larry Crowley Way, Huntsville Main Species: Largemouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish Boats: Boats are permitted (no gasoline motors). Licenses: Tennessee fishing license required.

Main Species: Largemouth bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegill, redear sunfish, rainbow trout, crappie Boats: Boats are permitted (no gasoline motors). Licenses: Tennessee fishing license required. Supplemental trout stamp required for trout.

Williams Creek Road, Oneida Main Species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, rainbow trout Boats: Boats are permitted. Licenses: Tennessee fishing license required. Supplemental trout stamp required for trout.

There’s no need for waders with the early August water temperatures climbing well above 70 degrees, but that first step in waters up to your waist is still a harsh wake-up call on a chilly morning. On a good morning in late summer, the thick fog that rises off the river during the overnight hours will obscure the sun for a while after the yellow ball has climbed over the top of the gorge. With the right bait and the right conditions, the action is often fast and furious. On a good morning, you might catch as many as 30 bass within a couple of hours and with only a mile or so of river territory to work with. By the time the sun starts to burn through the mist at mid-morning, the action tends to slow in a hurry. A few fish continue to hit in the shaded areas, particularly the areas where the water is moving faster, but the magic happens before most people are crawling out of bed on a Saturday morning. Different anglers have different preferences for bait. Andrews says it’s hard to go wrong when the smallies are good and hungry. “If I wanted to pack a bucket of crawldads or creek minnows to the river, I could catch more fish than I could say grace over,” he says. “But a rooster tail will work just fine. Some folks scoff at a rooster tail because you don’t see the pros on television using them, but every fish in the world has been caught on a rooster tail.” Indeed, it isn’t hard to imagine that if Jonah had a rooster tail in his tackle box back in Old Testament days, he might have caught that old whale instead of the other way around. But rooster tails aren’t the best lures for these waters, nor even the best spinner baits. There are others See FISHING, page 19

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 19

Fishing

Continued from page 18 that work better — some way better. Anglers who cut their teeth on these rivers will tell you that the best places to catch smallmouth are generally anywhere along Clear Fork and immediately downstream of Angel Falls on the Big South Fork. But there’s good fishing even in the smaller streams that flow into the Big South Fork. South White Oak Creek near Historic Rugby, and north White Oak Creek near the historic Oneida & Western Railroad grade are two examples. And there are a few mountain streams in the Big South Fork, for those who know where to look and what to look for, where a few trout can still be found. You likely won’t have much luck convincing local anglers to give up the secrets of these streams. Fishermen are peculiar in that way. But those who are lucky will find that

a few early mornings and a little trial and error will convince the streams themselves to start talking. And their secrets will be told.

■ Not just bass Bass — largemouth, smallmouth and a smallish variety that local anglers refer to as “redeye” — are plentiful in Scott County’s streams, but they’re far from the only species that can be found in the rivers. Other species include walleye and musky, along with catfish and several species of panfish. Walleye fishing is especially popular during the late winter months in Big South Fork Country, and catfish varieties include both flathead and channel cats.

At the Flat Creek Reservoir in Huntsville, an empoundment of nearly 300 acres, fish include largemouth bass, perch, crappie, bluegill and bullhead catfish. At the Oneida City Park Lake, a 35-acre reservoir, fish include largemouth bass, perch, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and rainbow trout

(stocked each winter). Other public fishing waters include the Howard H. Baker Sr. Watershed Lake west of Oneida, a 50-acre reservoir that includes the same species found at Flat Creek, and the Scott County Conservation League Lake, a small lake off Williams Creek Road west of Oneida. In addition to the regular species, it is stocked with rainbow trout each spring. Boats are allowed on the lakes, but no gasoline motors. No motors of any kind are permitted on the waters within the Big South Fork NRRA.

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■ HUNTING

Wild boar: a unique Cumberland adventure

he sun is just starting to rise as a Toyota Tacoma bounces down a rutted back road deep in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. The road is open to hunters during big game seasons only. The rest of the year, it’s used by horseback riders and hikers. Tennessee’s deer hunting season has just ended. So, too, has the hunting season for wild boar — which, due to new state regulations, can only be hunted in select areas like the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and Catoosa WMA (in neighboring Morgan County). But here in the 125,000-acre Big South Fork NRRA, a special agreement between the state’s Wildlife Resources Agency and the National Park Service keeps hog hunting season open through the end of February — long after all other big game seasons have closed. A $5 permit, available for purchase at Bandy Creek Visitor Center

or online at nps.gov/biso, is required in addition to a valid Tennessee hunting license to hunt wild boar. The annual hunt attracts hunters from across the eastern United States. But this hunt isn’t for the casual hunter seeking an easy thrill. Wild boar are wary critters, every bit as challenging to hunt as whitetail deer. When hunting pressure sets in, they leave the area. They make up for their poor eyesight with an excellent sense of smell. Add to that their relatively limited number — hunting guide Lathern Hull estimates that there are fewer than 500 in the Big South Fork — and they’re quite challenging indeed. Hogs don’t tend to make things easy on hunters. They typically stay deep within the park’s boundaries, and well away from the beaten path. But the Big South Fork’s terrain, while rugged, is beautiful. That beauty adds to the mystique of the hunt. Steep hills are lined with bluffs and boulders. Thickets of mountain laurel and rhododendron cover

many of the hillsides. “I really think the Big South Fork is a well-kept secret amongst vacation destinations for outdoors-oriented families,” says Michigan’s Britt Owen. “Part of the appeal for me is that it is only an eight-hour trip from my home in southern Michigan to the Big South Fork. I love the mountains, and BSF is a lot closer than the Rockies.” Owen, a trooper for the Michigan Highway Patrol, brings his family to the Big South Fork to make a minivacation of his hog hunting trips. “If it is important for you to kill a pig, go somewhere else,” he says. “If you aren’t up for a challenge, go hunt somewhere else. But one thing is for sure: You will absolutely fall in love with this place.” Alabama’s Jim Vandervort is another of those hunters who regularly hunts BSF. “If I were describing it to someone who has never been here, I would tell them that they are going to do some walking and it will get

rough,” says Vandervort. Feral hogs have always been present in the Big South Fork, but the population was helped by a hunting preserve, called the “Hog Farm” by locals, that operated in the area circa the establishment of the national park in the 1970s. The Hog Farm housed hunters in an old longhunter’s camp in the backcountry. Pigs escaped from the reserve over the years and a population of wild boar grew from those escapees. Today, the Hog Farm is operated as a rustic backwoods retreat called Charit Creek Hostel. It serves equestrian traffic, hikers and hunters traveling the park’s network of trails. These days, Big South Fork is one of just three places in Tennessee — with the North Cumberland WMA on the other side of Scott County being one of the other two — where wild boar can legally be hunted. And while it may not be easy, it is an excellent adventure. “The fact that I can go walk in such beautiful country for hours on end keeps me looking forward to every trip down there,” says Owen. “My first reaction to the Big South Fork terrain was, ‘Wow! This is awesome!’ I had hunted some steep terrain in the past, elk hunting in Colorado and Idaho, but BSF is unique in that you can be sneaking along through the hardwoods or the river bottom and literally get hemmed in by a cliff line and have nowhere to go but to backtrack. It can be frustrating at times but those cliff lines are too beautiful to stay mad at.”

■ Elk hunting in the Cumberlands Think you have to travel “out West” to hunt elk? Think again. Each year, the Tennessee Wildlife See HUNTING, page 21

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 21

Hunting

Continued from page 20 Resources Agency hosts a limited elk hunt on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area in eastern Scott County. The 145,000-acre WMA is divided into several sections for the hunt, and each lucky hunter has a tag for one bull elk. The 2014 elk hunt is set for Oct. 20-24. Five permits will be awarded by TWRA through a computerized draw. A sixth permit will be awarded to a youth hunter, ages 13-16, for a hunt to be held Oct. 25-26. Gun, muzzleloader and archery are all legal weaponry for the hunt. It is estimated that the Tennessee elk herd is a little over 300 strong. This year will mark the sixth year of Tennessee’s limited elk hunt. Applications for the hunt will be accepted online at tnwildlife.org

from June 11-July 23. Hunters who are unsuccessful this year can try again in 2015.

■ Bear hunting comes to Scott County Black bear hunting is coming to the northern Cumberland Plateau in the fall of 2014. This fall will mark the first year of an archery black bear hunt in several northern plateau counties, including Scott County. The limit is one bear per hunter per calendar year. Either sex is allowed, but sows cannot be accompanied by a cub, and cubs themselves are off-limits. The dates of the hunt will be Sept. 27 through Oct. 24 — the same dates as Tennessee’s archery deer hunt. It is estimated that there are around 300 black bears in and around the Big South Fork National

River & Recreation Area. The bear hunt will be centered around the Big South Fork, but the national park itself will be excluded from the hunting zone. In Scott County, the bear hunt is open west of U.S. Hwy. 27.

■ Scott County: Home to big bucks According to the Tennessee Deer Registry, the largest whitetail buck that has been harvested by a hunter from Scott County measured 1785/8. That deer was taken by Charles H. Smith, with a gun, on Dec. 1, 1978. In November 1982, Elmer Ledbetter added his name to the “big buck” list, with a 168-5/8 typical buck taken with a gun. Jeffrey Jeffers harvested a typical whitetail buck in Nov. 24, 1989, that measured 165-6/8 inches. A typical buck taken by Larry Garrett on Nov. 7, 1982, measured

nearly as large — 165-2/8 inches. And, on Nov. 23, 1997, Mac Wright harvested a typical buck that measured 162-2/8. The honor of largest buck with a bow goes to Byron Marcum, who arrowed a 152-1/8 inch buck on Sept. 27, 2012. The whitetail deer season in Scott County opens on the fourth Saturday in September each year with the archery hunt. Archery season continues through the end of the whitetail deer hunts, with the exception of the final Saturday and Sunday in October, which is a youthonly hunt. Muzzleloader hunting for whitetails begins the third Saturday before Thanksgiving. Gun hunting begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving — two weeks after the start of muzzleloader hunting. Each hunter must have a valid Tennessee hunting license, which can be purchased online at tnwildlife.org, along with a weapons tag for either big game, archery or muzzleloader.

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â&#x2013; WAGON RIDES

An alternative way to experience the wild

icture this: A crisp October afternoon with the autumn foliage exploding in red and golden hues as Mother Nature paints her landscape with the glorious sights of fall. The gentlysloped grade of what was once a railroad that carried supplies and passengers to mining and lumber camps that have long since been reclaimed by nature. A babbling brook beside the road offering the only sounds except for the plodding of the hooves of the team of horses pulling your wagon, and the occasional cry of a redtail hawk overhead. And, at the end of the journey, a steaming bowl of homemade chili cooked in a Dutch oven over a camp fire awaits. Sound hard to beat? Experience it for yourself in Big South Fork

BSF OUtdoor adventures

Country! Wagon rides are a relatively recent form of recreation in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Big South Fork Outdoor Adventures, a company based in Oneida, Tenn., is bringing that experience to visitors who might otherwise never have the opportunity to take a ride through the woods in a covered wagon. There are several routes available for wagons in the BSF backcountry, and Big South Fork Outdoor Adventures explores all of them with their collection of wagons and carriages. See wildlife, rock formations and more from the back of the wagon, and stop for a quick hike past even more spectacular scenery. For more information, visit Big South Fork Outdoor Adventures at www.bsfoa.com.

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 23

■ ATTRACTIONS

Museum captures Cumberlands heritage

t is the first of its kind in the United States: A museum completely designed, built and curated by high school students. The Museum of Scott County — located on the campus of Scott High School in Huntsville — started as a humble, one-story log structure donated by locally-owned Jim Barna Log Homes. It has since grown to include several acres of museum grounds and additional buildings — there is a frontier village (and frontier critters), a children’s museum with hands-on activities that captivate the youngsters, a replica law office of Howard Baker Sr. — a Congressman and father of Huntsville’s very own Howard H. Baker Jr., former Senate Majority Leader and chief of

STUDENT SHOWCASE: The Museum of Scott County is completely the work of students.

staff for President Ronald Reagan. There is also the U.S.S. Tennessee Battleship Museum, a two-story log structure with memorabilia and photos from the historic battleship that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The Museum of Scott County is home to the Heritage Festival each September, which is a step back in time to pioneer days on the Cumberland Plateau. The museum complex is so impressive that even Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam recently visited Scott County just to see what all the fuss was about. Gov. Haslam left impressed — and so will you! The museum is open six days each week and admission is free. To schedule a tour, call 423-663-2801 or email gary.sexton@scottcounty.net.

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■ ATTRACTIONS

Time stands still at plateau’s Victorian village

ritish-founded Rugby, Tenn., is a rare example of a rural, living community that survives from its 1880s utopian beginnings with its town plan intact, many buildings and its natural setting preserved and with no encroaching incompatible development. Today, time stands still at Rugby, the restored Victorian village founded in 1880 by British author and social reformer Thomas Hughes. Rugby was established to be a cooperative, class-free, agricultural community for younger sons of English gentry and others. At its peak in the mid 1880s, some 300 people lived in the colony. More than 65 buildings of Victorian design graced the townscape on the Cumberland Plateau.

19th CENTURY BEAUTY: The Christ Church Episcopal at Historic Rugby.

This would-be utopia survives today as both a living community and a fascinating public historic site, unspoiled by modern development. Twenty original buildings still stand, nestled between the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the Rugby State Natural Area. Historic Rugby has been open to the public since 1966 and is nationally recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Getting there: Historic Rugby is located on S.R. 52 along the Scott/Morgan county line. From I-75, take Exit 141 at Caryville, then S.R. 63 west to U.S. 27, U.S. 27 south to S.R. 52, and S.R. 52 west to Rugby. From I-40, take Exit 317 at Crossville, then U.S. 127 north to S.R. 52 and S.R. 52 east to Rugby. Contact: 888-214-3400, historicrugby.org

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 25

■ ATTRACTIONS

All aboard! Next stop: Early 20th Century

ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway is a trip back in time — to a time when coal and timber were king along the Cumberland Plateau. The Stearns Coal & Lumber Company — established in 1902 by Justus S. Stearns — controlled more than 200 square miles of land in Tennessee and Kentucky during its heyday, built the U.S.’s first electric sawmill and employed 2,200 people. Part of the Stearns operation was the K&T Railway, which stretched over 25 miles into the Big South Fork valley and beyond. Much like the O&W further south, the K&T was used to transport timber and coal out of what is today the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area — and transport passengers and supplies in.

THE BSF Scenic Railway passes by creeks and through narrow rock passageways.

Unlike the O&W, which has had its rails removed and is open to various uses (including motor vehicles along part of its route), the K&T is perfectly preserved as the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. The BSF railway provides passengers an excursion train ride through the BSF back-country and into the gorge to the Blue Heron mining community. Between April and October, the train ride includes a layover of just over an hour to allow passengers to explore the historic community. The railway hosts special rides throughout the year — the Redbud Bunny Express in April, the Blue Heron Ghost Train in September, the Haunted Hollow Express in October, and the Santa Express in December. Contact: 800-462-5664, bsfsry. com

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■ ATTRACTIONS

Family-friendly parks offer relaxation

o matter where you go in Scott County, you’re only minutes away from picnic tables, playgrounds and all the other things you expect to find on spots of turf where families can go to play and relax. Oneida City Park is widely recognized as one of the finest “small town” municipal parks in the State of Tennessee, while the Town of Huntsville boasts a newly-renovated municipal park as well at Flat Creek. At Winfield, the Gen. Winfield Scott Park honors the war hero who lent his namesake to both the town and Scott County, while the South Scott Community Club maintains a small community park at Robbins. The Town of Oneida’s Bear Creek Sports Complex is a state-of-the-art sports facility with multiple regulation-

size fields. Our parks are constantly improving. There are currently plans to install a splash pad at Oneida City Park, as well as a playground at the Bear Creek Sports Complex. Recently-completed renovations at Flat Creek Park include a brand-new playground, new basketball goals, resurfaced baseball field, resurfaced walking track and more. At Oneida City Park, private citizens recently spearheaded an effort to bring a state-of-the-art playground for special needs children to the park. The playground is scheduled to be constructed by summer 2014.

ONEIDA CITY PARK: The amphitheater at Oneida City Park provides a place for local talent to be showcased and helps make events at the park possible.

UCB

Oneida City Park Paint Rock Road (Hwy. 456) • Picnic tables

UCB

See PARKS, page 27

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 27

• Walking track • Basketball goal • Picnic tables • Athletic field • Playground

Parks

Continued from page 26

Bear Creek Sports Complex Bear Creek Road, Oneida • Baseball fields • Softball fields • Soccer fields • T-ball fields • AYSO soccer fields • Playground*

• Walking track • Basketball courts • Tennis court • Little League baseball field • Soccer fields • Horseshoe pits • 35-acre fishing lake • Playgrounds • All-inclusive playground • Gazebos & picnic pavilions • Gymnasium • Community center • Slashpad* Flat Creek Park Park Road, off S.R. 63, Huntsville • Walking track • Picnic tables • Racquetball court • Softball field • Basketball courts • Playground • Zip line

• Swimming pool** • 200-acre fishing lake*** Gen. Winfield Scott Memorial Park Pine Grove Road, off U.S. Hwy. 27, Winfield • Walking track • Picnic tables

• Volleyball court • Basketball courts • Softball field • Soccer field • Horseshoe pits • Playground South Scott Community Park U.S. Hwy. 27, Robbins

Bandy Creek Bandy Creek Road, Big South Fork • Picnic tables • Playground • Volleyball court • Athletic field • Swimming pool *Coming in late 2014. **Available at nearby Huntsville Municipal Building, S.R. 63. ***Available nearby off Water Plant Road adjacent to park.

28 — SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014

Scott County Directory

www.scottcountychamber.com

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Morgan and Sammy Kershaw! trailsendcampground.com

one of the region’s premier air shows! wingsoverbigsouthfork.com.

WinterFest March 1, 2014 Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring with WinterFest at Brimstone Recreation in Huntsville, Tenn. ATV riders young and old participate in the annual event, which features guided rides on the 20,000-acre recreation area. brimstonerecreation.com or 423-663-HUNT.

Rugby Antique Street Fair June 14, 2014 Visit the beautiful Victorian village and browse among the many vendors offering a wide array of antiques, primitive, vintage and craft items. Admission and parking are free. historicrugby.org or 423-628-6569.

BSF Bike & Bluegrass Festival September 13, 2014 The first annual Big South Fork Bike & Bluegrass Festival will mix music and street tours in Oneida, Tenn. Hosted at the beautiful Oneida City Park, the day-long event will feature local bluegrass artists and bands, and street tours throughout the beautiful northern Cumberland Plateau for motorcyclists and road bikers. discoverscott.com or 800-645-6905.

Spring Planting Festival April 26, 2014 Early settlers on the Cumberland Plateau relied on subsistence farming for survival. Each spring, the mules and horses were hooked to the plow and the fields tilled for the planting of crops. It was hard work but a fascinating way of life. The tradition continues today in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Enjoy plowing demonstrations, gardening, wood-working, blacksmithing, basket-weaving, craft demonstrations, a petting zoo and more. at the Lora Blevins homeplace near Bandy Creek Visitors Center. nps.gov/biso or 423-286-7275. British & Appalachian Culture Festival May 10-11, 2014 Historic Rugby has hosted the British and Appalachian Culture Festival annually for nearly 30 years. Explore the preserved historic Victorian village nestled on the Cumberland Plateau. historicrugby.org or 888-214-3400 White Knuckle Event May 23-25, 2014 The Woodstock of ATV events! Brimstone Recreation hosts the White Knuckle Event annually, Friday-Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Races, guided rides, mudbogs and more mark the weekend. Each year, the festival is headlined by one of Nashville’s best country music artists. whiteknuckleevent.com or 800-BRIMSTONE. Full Throttle Event May 23-25, 2014 Trails End Campground in Huntsville hosts this Memorial Day weekend event, mixing rock-crawling, trail-riding and country music concerts at the ATV campground on River Road in Huntsville, Tenn. This year’s event features Craig

Firemen’s Fourth Celebration July 3-4, 2014 A long-standing tradition in the Town of Huntsville is the Firemen’s Fourth Festival. Hosted by the town’s fire department, the two-day event is one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the rural Southeast. Festivities begin with live entertainment and vendors on July 3 and continue with an Independence Day parade (11 a.m.) and fireworks display (10 p.m.) on July 4. The event is held on the historic courthouse mall in downtown Huntsville. huntsville-tn.com or 423-6633471. ATV/SXS Roundup August 29-31, 2014 Say goodbye to summer with Brimstone Recreation’s annual Labor Day weekend event. When it comes to ATV festivals in the South, the SXS Roundup is second only to Brimstone’s White Knuckle Event. The three-day event features ATV demos, guided rides, music and more, and is headlined by Nashville’s best-known recording artists each year. brimstonerecreation.com or 800-BRIMSTONE. Ridin’ Dirty August 29-31, 2014 Trails End Campground in Huntsville presents the Ridin’ Dirty event on Labor Day weekend, with a mix of four-wheeling and music. trailsendcampground. com. Wings Over Big South Fork September 6, 2014 The annual air show and antique car display at Scott County Airport — adjacent to the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area — features airplane rides, aerobatic demonstrations, food, music and much more. It is

Camp RZR by Polaris September 19-21, 2014 Polaris is bringing its Camp RZR to the eastern United States for the first time this September. The three-day event will feature Dierks Bentley and Josh Thompson in concert. camprzrbrimstone.com

Haunting in the Hills September 20, 2014 Celebrate fall with Haunting in the Hills, a storytelling festival hosted annually by B the Big South Fork National River & Rec- B reation Area. The event takes place near n the Bandy Creek Visitors Center, begin- ( ning at 10 a.m. with a variety of entertainment and events and culminating with B the storytelling near dusk. nps.gov/biso. 2 H b Scott County Heritage Festival ( September 27, 2014 Explore life on the Cumberland S Plateau as our ancestors lived it at the Heritage Festival. Hosted by Scott B High School at the Museum of Scott b ( County — America’s first museum to be designed, built and curated by T high school students — the festival includes bluegrass music, numerous 3 craft demonstrations, food and ven- H dors. Explore the pioneer village on c the three acres of museum grounds. ( museum.scottcounty.net.

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SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 28

Scott County Directory Campgrounds Bandy Creek Campground Big South Fork NRRA nps.gov/biso (877) 444-6777 Brimstone Campground 2860 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee brimstonerecreation.com (865) 617-8127 Station Camp Horse Camp Big South Fork NRRA bigsouthforkhorsecamps.com (423) 569-3321 Trails End Campground 3269 River Rd Huntsville, Tennessee camptrailsend.com (423) 663-3944

Hotels/Lodges Cornerstone Lodging 20151 Alberta St. Oneida, Tennessee cornerstonelodging.com (423) 286-9970 Grand Vista Hotel 11597 Scott Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee grandvistahotels.com (888) 854-6300 Grey Gables B&B 5809 Rugby Hwy. Rugby, TN rugbytn.com (423) 628-5252 Oneida Guest House 103 Sheppard Rd. Oneida, Tennessee oneidaguesthouse.com (423) 569-3898 Charit Creek Lodge Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area charitcreeklodge.com (931) 752-5355

Newberry House B&B Historic Rugby 5517 Rugby Highway historicrugby.org (423) 628-2441

Cabin Rentals Big South Fork Rentals Station Camp Rd Oneida, Tennessee bigsouthforkrentals.com (423) 539-0154 Brimstone Retreats 2860 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee brimstonerecreation.com (865) 617-8127 Cabins of Elk Run 2165 Low Gap Rd. Helenwood, Tennessee www.elkruntn.com (423) 215-8008 Laurel Fork Rustic Retreat Leatherwood Ford Road Jamestown, TN laurelfork.com (423) 286-5135 Longhorn Ranch Cabin Rental Oneida, Tennessee

www.scottcountychamber.com

bigsouthforkcabinrental.com (423) 569-4158 Marcum-Cross Properties Leatherwood Ford Road Jamestown, TN (423) 569-4273 Williams Creek Retreat 1120 Old School House Rd. Oneida, Tennessee williamscreekretreat.com (423) 569-8694 Wilderness Resorts 1511 Wilderness Trail Oneida, Tennessee wildernessresorts.com (423) 569-9847

ATV Sales/Repair

16116 Scott Hwy Oneida, Tennessee waynescycleandatv.com (423) 569-3888

ATV/SXS Rentals Brimstone Recreation 2860 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee brimstonerecreation.com (800) BRIMSTONE Trails End Campground 3269 River Rd. Huntsville, Tennessee camptrailsend.com (423) 663-3944

Hunt/Fish Gear

Thompson’s Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki 2915 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-2222

Walmart 19740 Alberta Ave. Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-6228

Honse’s Power Sports 11941 Scott Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-4848

Buckhorn Hunting & Fishing 533 Industrial Ln Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-9452

Wayne’s Cycle & ATV

Tennessee Outdoors 138 Skyview Dr.

Helenwood, Tennessee (423) 663-2924

Tack South Fork Tack 1487 West 3rd Avenue Oneida, Tennessee www.southforktack.net (423) 569-6700

Horseback Guides Southeast Pack Trips, Inc. 299 Dewey Burks Rd Jamestown, Tennessee (931) 879-2260

Rafting/Canoe Brimstone Expeditions (Canoe Rental New River) 2860 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee brimstonerecreation.com (865) 617-8127 Sheltowee Trace Outfitters (Rafting Big South Fork) 2001 Hwy 90 Corbin, KY 40701 (800) 541-RAFT ky-rafting.com

30 — SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014

Scott County Directory Golf Courses Oneida Municipal Golf Course 1180 South Lake Drive Oneida, Tennessee townofoneida.com (423) 569-9506

Antique Shops The Good Ole Days Antiques & Collectables 283 Industrial Lane Oneida, Tennessee facebook.com/GoodOleDaysOneidaTN (865) 617-5692 South Fork Antiques & Treasures 17737 Alberta St. Oneida, Tennessee southforkantiques.com (423) 286-7777

Grocery Walmart 19740 Alberta Ave. Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-6228 IGA-Helenwood Foods 12460 Scott Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 569-8110 Save-A-Lot 20475 Alberta Ave. Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-6662 Scenic Foods 7352 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-2619

Restaurants HUNTSVILLE AREA Firehouse Pizza 1020 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-8600 Perdue’s Texaco Kitchen 12617 Scott Hwy Helenwood, Tennessee

(423) 569-3533 DJ’s Pitstop 8944 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-4378 Express Market & Deli 1128 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-9898 Fat Baby Meats 14436 Scott Hwy Helenwood, Tennessee (423) 286-6328 Fill N Foods 10554 Scott Hwy Helenwood, Tennessee (423) 663-2749 Fireside Restaurant 408 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423 663-3234 Flonnie’s Drive-In 122 Glass House Rd. Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-2998 Panda Chinese Restaurant 447 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-2900 Red Star Grill 2365 Annadell Rd. Pioneer, Tennessee (423) 663-STAR Subway 447 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-8100 Sunrise Restaurant 9064 Baker Hwy Huntsville, Tennessee (423) 663-4222 ONEIDA AREA Domino’s Pizza 18750 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-2000 El Rey Mexican Restaurant 19816 Alberta Street

www.scottcountychamber.com

Oneida, Tennessee (423) 286-6100 KFC 19869 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-5544 Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken 19570 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-5227 McDonald’s 19820 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 286-7800 Preston’s Steakhouse 19787 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee prestons-steakhouse.com (423) 569-4158 Arby’s/Long John Silver’s/3rd Hole In The Wall 15850 Scott Highway Oneida, Tennessee (423) 286-5598 Big Orange Country Store, Inc. 19803 Alberta St Oneida, Tennessee

Handy Randy’s Market & Deli 610 Paint Rock Road Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-8733 Huddle House 20069 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee 423-286-9559 Miller’s General Store 3355 Coopertown Rd Oneida, Tennessee 423-569-1544 Phillips Drive-In 18499 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-4002 Pizza Hut 19945 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-9262 Sonic Drive-In 19536 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-9338 Subway 20483 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee

(423) 569-8370 Zheng Bao Chinese Restaurant 19840 Alberta Street Oneida, Tennessee (423) 569-9888 WINFIELD AREA County’s BBQ 24671 Scott Hwy Winfield, Tennessee (423) 663-7391 El Placio Mexican Restaurant 26383 Scott Hwy Winfield, Tennessee (423) 569-6900 ROBBINS AREA Hamrick’s Deli 4060 Scott Hwy Robbins, Tennessee (423) 627-2710 Robbins Market & Deli 5555 Scott Hwy Robbins, Tennessee (423) 627-2131 Stop N Go 3701 Scott Hwy Elgin, Tennessee (423) 627-4100

SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014 — 31

■ RELOCATING

Scott County: A great place to live, work & play The secret is out: Scott County, Tenn., is more than just a good place to visit. Tucked away in the Cumberland Mountains, yet conveniently located less than an hour’s drive from Knoxville, Scott County combines the luxury of country living with the conveniences of a modern lifestyle. Our schools and health care system are recognized as among the best in the state. And when the work day is done, there are rivers to be fished, trails to be ridden and sights to be seen. The following information should let you get to know Scott County a little better. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Scott County Chamber of Commerce, 423-663-6900. More information is also available at www. scottcountychamber.com/relocate.

Government: Scott County (www. scottcounty.com) is governed by an elected county mayor, who serves as chief executive of the county, and a 14-member board of commissioners, elected by district. Commissioners meet on the third Monday of each month at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville, Tenn., beginning at 6 p.m. A work session is held on the first Monday of each month at the office building, beginning at 5 p.m. The towns of Huntsville (www.huntsville-tn.com), Oneida (www.townofoneida.com) and Winfield are governed by a mayor and four-member board of aldermen, elected in municipal elections every four years. Winfield meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday, Oneida at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday and Huntsville at 3 p.m. on the fourth Thursday. Schools: There are two public school districts in Scott County — the Scott County School System (www. scottcounty.net) and the Oneida Special School District (www.oneidaschools.org). The county schools are governed by a seven-member board of directors, elected by district. The Oneida district is governed by a fivemember board of directors, elected at large. Each school district’s board appoints a director to administer day-byday operations of the school district. Emergency Services: For all emergencies, call 911. The Scott County

Sheriff’s Department (423-663-3165) provides law enforcement protection throughout Scott County. The Oneida Police Department (423-569-4255) provides law enforcement protection in the Town of Oneida, and Winfield Police Department (423-569-4400) provides law enforcement protection in the Town of Winfield. Scott County EMS (423-569-6000) provides ambulatory response. Parks: Scott County has several public parks i naddition to the 145,000acre North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (www.tnwildlife. org) and the 125,000-acre Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (www.nps.gov/biso). Oneida City Park is widely regarded as one of the best municipal public parks in the region.

The Town of Huntsville and Town of Winfield also maintain public parks. A community park is maintained in Robbins. Libraries: Scott County has three public libraries — in Huntsville, Oneida and Winfield. The Huntsville Public Library is located at 314 Courthouse Square (423-663-9230). The Oneida Public Library is located at 290 S. Main Street (423-569-8634). The Winfield Public Librrary is located at 24961 Scott Highway (423-569-9047). A community book station with limited hours is maintained in Robbins at 5900 Scott Highway. Taxes: Scott County’s property tax rate is $2.258 per $100 assessed value ($2.748 for property owners inside the Oneida Special School District). Bills are

mailed by the last Friday of September each year and are payable and due from Oct. 1-Feb. 28. More information: 423-663-2598. Oneida has a property tax rate of $1.00. Huntsville has a property tax rate of $0.50. There is no property tax in Winfield. There is a state sales tax of 7 percent with a local option of 2.25 percent. Tennessee does not have an income tax. Utilities: Plateau Electric Cooperative (www.plateauelectric.com) provides electricity to all of Scott County; Highland Telephone Cooperative (www. highlandtel.net) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Highland Communications (www.highland.net) provide telephone and internet services to all of Scott County. Citizens Gas Utility District (www.citizensgas.net) provides natural gas everywhere it is available in Scott County. Huntsville Utility District (423-663-3550) provides water to the southern half of the county, while the Town of Oneida Water Department (www.townofoneida.com) provides water to the northern half. Sewer service is maintained where available by the Town of Huntsville and Town of Oneida. Building Permits: Building permits are not required in unincorporated areas of Scott County. New construction and certain types of remodeling require building inspections in the towns of Huntsville (www.huntsville-tn. com) and Oneida (www.townofoneida. com). Voter Registration: Any citizen of the United States who is or will be 18 or older prior to the date of the next election and who is a resident of the State of Tennessee can register to vote (unless disqualified under the law) in Scott County. To register, contact the Scott County Election Office (www.scottelections.com). Vehicle Registration: To register or purchase license plates in Scott County, go to the Scott County Clerk’s office at the Scott County Courthouse (283 Court Street, Huntsville). Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The renewal fee is $24.95. (423-663-2588). Driver Licenses: If you are a new resident to Tennessee you are required by law to obtain a new driver license and register your vehicle within 30 days of arrival. Licenses can be obtained online at www.tennessee.gov/safety.

32 — SCOTT COUNTY VACATION & RELOCATION GUIDE, 2014