Rock Cut State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Rock Cut State Park is located in the state of Tennessee and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.


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Summary

The park is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, and boating, making it a great place for families and groups of friends to spend a weekend. With its stunning natural beauty and numerous recreational activities, Rock Cut State Park is a must-see destination for visitors to Tennessee.

One of the main attractions of Rock Cut State Park is its extensive network of hiking trails. With over 11 miles of trails throughout the park, visitors can explore the beautiful forests and scenic overlooks that abound in the area. The park is also home to a number of unique rock formations, including the "Devil's Backbone," a narrow rock outcropping that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

In addition to its natural beauty, Rock Cut State Park also offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and swimming. The park's lake is home to a variety of fish species, making it a popular spot for anglers. Boating and swimming are also popular activities, with several boat ramps and a swimming beach available for visitors to use.

Interesting facts about Rock Cut State Park include the fact that it was established in 1963 and encompasses over 1,200 acres of land. The park is also home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including wildflowers, oak trees, and white-tailed deer.

The best time of year to visit Rock Cut State Park depends on the activities you are interested in. If you are planning to hike or camp, the spring and fall months are ideal, as temperatures are cooler and the foliage is beautiful. However, if you are planning to fish or swim, the summer months are the best time to visit, as the lake is warmer and the weather is more conducive to outdoor activities.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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