National Forest

Cherokee National Forest Is Greene County’s Backyard

SUN FILE PHOTO

Waterfall in Cherokee National Forest

THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST

Contact: 1-877-444-6777

Website: www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee; www.recreation.gov for reservations

The Cherokee National Forest, stretching across southeastern Greene County to the North Carolina state line, provides many nature-oriented recreational opportunities.

The forest covers roughly 656,000 acres in 10 East Tennessee counties — over 42,000 acres of the forest are in Greene County.

The U.S. Forest Service’s Unaka Ranger District is located in the northern portion of the Cherokee National Forest. In this district, wildlife habitat, abundant plantlife, wilderness and the opportunity to appreciate natural beauty are conserved and protected.

There are a number of recreation areas only a short drive away. In some cases, covered pavilions are available for large gatherings. Pavilion reservations can be made online (www.recreation.gov) or by phone (1-877-444-6777).

Visitors can find white-water boating and boat-launching sites at some nearby rivers and streams. Visitors can make reservations for Rock Creek Campground in Unicoi County online or by phone. Reservations are not available for any other U.S. Forest Service campground in the Unaka Ranger District. All other campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Most campgrounds will accommodate tents, trailers and RVs but do not include shower facilities, dump stations or electrical hookups. Unless otherwise noted, all areas have restrooms, and in some areas, drinking water is also available. The camping seasons vary, but generally range from mid-May to November. Trails are open year-round, unless marked otherwise; some trails are designed only for hiking, while others are designed for more than one type of use such as hiking, horses or bicycling.

For adventure-seekers, dispersed camping is allowed outside of developed recreation areas in the general forest area. There is a 14-day stay limit in all areas.

The following is a list of U.S. Forest Service developed recreation areas in the Unaka Ranger District. Opening and closing dates depend on weather and other factors. Dates listed are estimated. For specific dates contact the Unaka Ranger District office in Greeneville at 638-4109 or visit www.fs.fed.us.

HORSE CREEK

The recreation area is open mid-May to October.

Horse Creek Recreation Area is at the base of Cold Spring Mountain off State Rt. 107 and provides camping, picnicking, hiking and trout fishing. There is a limit of two trout. The temperature in this area is generally cooler than in Greeneville. Horse Creek has 30 picnic sites, 12 campsites supplied with facilities including drinking water, flush toilets, showers, a picnic shelter, tables and grills. The camping fee is $10 per night; there is no charge for day-use.

From Greeneville take Tennessee Rt. 107 (Erwin Highway) east 6 miles to Horse Creek Park Road and turn right. It is approximately 2 miles to the recreation area.

HOUSTON VALLEY

Houston Valley is usually open mid-May to October.

Located at the eastern foot of Meadow Creek Mountain at Gum Springs, the Houston Valley Recreation Area has eight campsites, three group picnic units, one pavilion and a grassed volleyball court for campers.

Facilities include a picnic shelter, flush toilets, picnic tables and grills. There is no potable water at this site.

There is a $7 per night camping fee and a $30 fee to reserve the pavilion.

For hikers, the “Gum Springs Trail” leads from Houston Valley to the Meadow Creek fire tower.

From Greeneville take Tennessee Rt. 70 South (Asheville Highway) to its intersection with Tennessee Rt. 107. Turn right onto 107 and go 8 miles. Look for the campground on the left, just before Burnett Gap.

OLD FORGE

Old Forge campground is open May to mid-December.

This small campground located along the banks of Jennings Creek offers a primitive tent camping experience. Ten large walk-in tent sites are screened by native vegetation. In the early 1900s, this area was the site of an iron forge. Iron ore was smelted and made into materials for the railroad operation that harvested timber in the area.

Facilities at Old Forge include picnic tables, grills, vault toilets and a group gathering site with a fire ring and benches. There is no potable water available at the site. The fee for camping is $7 per night.

Although there are horse trails in the area, horses are not permitted in the campground or on the nearby Appalachian Trail. Popular activities in the area include camping, swimming, hiking and horseback riding. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessible from nearby trails.

From Greeneville, take TN 107 East (off US Highway 11E) for 6 miles and then follow signs to Horse Creek Recreation Area (approximately 2 miles). From Horse Creek, turn right onto Forest Road No. 331 for 3 miles. The road dead-ends at the campground.

PAINT CREEK

Paint Creek campground is open May to November.

SPORTS FROM PAGE 129

SUN FILE PHOTO Tennessee Long Drive Shootout newcomer Mitch Grassing had the long drive of the day with a 413 yard blast at Graysburg Hills.

were the Greeneville Astros in 2017 as Greeneville’s entry in the minor league, which has been a starting point for many Major League Baseball players, including the Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve, Jordan Lyles and J.D. Martinez. 9 other teams in the new league include: Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol and Elizabethton in Tennessee; Burlington in North Carolina; Bluefield and Princeton in West Virginia; and Danville and Pulaski in Virginia. All teams from the previous Rookie League are participants in the new PDP league.

Pioneer Park, a 2,500-seat, state-ofthe-art baseball stadium on the campus of Tusculum University, is home to the Flyboys.

The Appalachian League season runs annually from the first week of June to the first week of August. The new dates coincide with the players returning to their respective schools for the new school year.

Kat Foster is the Flyboys’ General

Manager.

Phone: 423-609-7400.

Email: kfoster@flyboysbaseball.com

Website: www.flyboysbaseball.com

Parks & Recreation Department

The Greeneville Parks and Recreation Department offers various leagues in which young baseball players can learn the game and improve their skills: Pee Wee League, Minor League, Farm League, Little League, Junior Little League and Senior League.

Greene County also has traveling teams that are not sponsored by the recreation department. For more information regarding these programs, contact the parks department at 638-3143 or 638-3144.

BASKETBALL

There is a strong tradition of competition among basketball teams at all age levels throughout this community. High school teams regularly earn spots in the state tournament and have brought back state championship trophies on several occasions.

The Greeneville Parks and Recreation Department sponsors teams for all ages. These games are played at the EastView Recreation Center.

Youth and adult ages, both male and female, basketball leagues are an option at the YMCA. Games are played in the YMCA gym. BOWLING

Olympia Lanes

Newly renovated Olympia Lanes, at 110 Mason St., in Greeneville, has 12 bowling lanes and features a full-line pro shop, and a family arcade.

Birthday celebrations and other parties are scheduled on request.

Numerous leagues are available for bowlers of all ages throughout the year.

Call for times and lane availability at 525-5296, or check the company’s Facebook page.

FOOTBALL

There are football programs at the five high schools as well as elementary and middle schools. Tusculum University is Greene County’s college football team.

In addition, a football league is provided for youth through Greene County’s Youth Football Association and the Boys & Girls Club Football League.

The association is supported by fundraisers and donations.

Three leagues exist within the Youth Football Association and begin before Aug. 1.

The Grass Cutters League is for youngsters ages 5 to 7 years, the Pee Wee is for ages 7 to 10, and the Midget League are for those of 10 to 13 years.

Games are played at Greeneville High School and area county high schools. Both leagues’ seasons run from the last weekend in July until the first weekend in November.

The YMCA sponsors co-ed youth flag football leagues for kindergarten through eighth grade during the summer.

GOLF

Several golf courses in a wide range of sizes are available to golfers, from duffers to pros, around Greene County. Individual stroke play and four-man best-ball are just some of the tournaments that are available at nearly every course in the county. There are four 18-hole public courses, a 27-hole public course and a members-only 18-hole country club course.

Graysburg Hills Golf Club, which offers 27 holes is located at 910 Graysburg Hills

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SPORTS FROM PAGE 131

Road in Chuckey. For more information, call 234-8061 or visit their website at www.graysburghillsgolf.com.

The 18-hole public courses are: Road in Greeneville — Phone: 636-1476; website: www. andrewjohnsongolf.com. Highway in Chuckey — Phone: 257-5192. located at 1325 E. Allens Bridge Road in Greeneville — Phone: 638-3114; website: www.linkhills.com.

MINIATURE GOLF

Kinser Park, located at 710 Kinser Park Lane in Greeneville, has an 18-hole miniature golf course located near the campground. Hours of operation typically run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call 639-5912 for more information.

Website: www.visitgreenevilletn.com/accommodations/ kinser-park

Pioneer Mini Golf, located at 45 E. Andrew Johnson Highway, Tusculum, has an 18-hole miniature golf course. Hours of operation are from 2-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

RACQUETBALL

The YMCA, located at 404 Y St., off East Church Street in Greeneville, has racquetball courts available for members. Reservations are recommended. Phone: 6396107.

SKATEBOARDING

A skate park is available at Hardin Park. The concrete park features ramps, rails, stairs, ledges and other structures where skateboarders are allowed to skate away from vehicular traffic. Skaters are required to sign a written form and wear a helmet.

SOCCER

YMCA

Soccer programs for young children to adults are offered through the YMCA. Contact the Y for more information.

The Terry Bellamy Soccer Park is located on Bernard Avenue and is named for Terry Bellamy, retired executive director of the YMCA. The main entrance is on Crum Street.

Greeneville Galaxy

The Greeneville Galaxy Soccer Association is a youth soccer club with three full-sized regulation fields at their 814 Baileyton Road complex, one of which is lit for evening games. The club has eight teams, including two recent state champion teams. For more information, see www.greenevillegalaxy.com.