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Tennessee
411

Tennessee State Parks

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USA Parks
Tennessee
Middle Region
Montgomery Bell State Park
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Montgomery Bell State Park © Shannon McConnell
Montgomery Bell State Park © Shannon McConnell
Early fall on one of the hiking trails
Montgomery Bell State Park © Shannon McConnell
Montgomery Bell State Park © Shannon McConnell
Montgomery Bell State Park © Shannon McConnell
Montgomery Bell State Park © Shannon McConnell
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MONTGOMERY BELL STATE PARK
MONTGOMERY BELL STATE PARK
1020 Jackson Hill Road
Burns, Tennessee   37029

Phone: 615-797-9052
Toll Free: 800-250-8613
Reservations: 800-250-8613
Montgomery Bell State Park is located seven miles east of Dickson in Dickson County. The rolling hills of Dickson County contain a treasure that was considered more precious than gold to the builders of young America. The treasure was iron ore, and it lured men by the hundreds to this area of Middle Tennessee. The site of the first Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at Montgomery Bell State Park.

The iron industry in Dickson County has been long silent, but the 3,782 acres that make up Montgomery Bell State Resort Park still show the signs of its presence. Near the remains of the Old Laurel Furnace, ore pits, where men once scratched iron ore from the earth, lie quiet and abandoned; the hardwood forest, once heavily cut to clear farmland, and to produce charcoal for the iron furnaces, has slowly healed its wounds. Fox, squirrel, raccoon, opossum, deer and a wide variety of birds and wildflowers have returned to the forest, making Montgomery Bell a place of quiet natural beauty.
Cabins
There are 8 two-bedroom vacation cottages located across a cove from the Park Inn and Restaurant with a rustic wooden bridge connecting these two areas. Three of the cabins sleep 8 people, four of the cabins sleep 7 people and one cabin sleeps 4 people.

All beds are double beds and each cabin has one roll-away bed. Cabins are basically open year round (the park is closed at some point during the off season due to regular maintenance-check with the park for these dates), are completely equipped for housekeeping and include television and telephones.
Camping
Campgrounds provide both 30 and 50 amp. electric service and can accommodate 32 ft. campers on most electrical sites. Campground can accommodate needs from pop-up campers to the largest RV's.

There are 2 pull-through campsites that are accessible to persons with a disability.

There is a creek that runs through the campground with some sites being located along the creek bank.

There are three bathhouses located in the campground, two are accessible to persons with a disability. Picnic tables and grills are available at campsites.

Backcountry camping is allowed and there are three backcountry campsites available. Pack animals are not allowed. A back country camping permit is required. For more information on how to obtain this permit, contact the park office.

Group Camping

Rustic Cabins sleep 120 people in 47 cabins. Built in the 1930's, the buildings are constructed of Crab Orchard stone, hand hewn and quarried in Tennessee and considered a historical landmark. Cabins are located in a rustic setting above Lake Woodhaven.

Campers should bring their own linen, food, ice and charcoal or wood for fire. Provided are 2 ovens, 2 stoves, 2 sinks and a walk-in cooler/refrigerator. There are 2 bathhouses (2 showers in each), sinks, toilets, running water and hot water. On-premise catering is available.
Lodge
The Inn, Conference Center and restaurant overlook the lovely Lake Acorn. Amenities include cable television, year-round indoor pool, jacuzzi, and outdoor pool (seasonal), exercise room and laundry facilities. The Inn has 120 rooms and 5 suites with every room having a view of the lake.
Meeting Rooms
Conference Facility:

Montgomery Bell State Park offers conference style meeting room facilities to accommodate up to 500 people. Banquet and catering services are available.

Equipment:Overhead projector, microphones, mic stands, screen, sound system, marker boards, phone, podium, lavaliere mics, markers, internet connection, TV and VCR, slide projectors.
Swimming
1. Montgomery Bell State Park offers a large outdoor swimming pool for visitors during the summer months.
2. The park's Lake Woodhaven and Creech Hollow Lake allow non-motorized boat activities, including paddleboarding and kayaking.
3. Swimming is not allowed in these lakes due to safety concerns related to underwater hazards or wildlife interactions.
4. For overnight guests staying at the inn, an indoor pool is available year-round with lifeguard supervision provided.
5. Children can enjoy wading pools adjacent to both the main outdoor public pool and hotel's indoor facility.

Boating
Lake Acorn: 17 Acres:

The Boat dock on Lake Acorn will be open for the summer 2005 season from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Canoes, paddle boats and jon boats are available for rent Monday thru Friday, 9am - 5pm and Sat. thru Sun., 7am - 5pm. After Labor Day weekend, privately owned boats are allowed on the lake provided your boat does not have an outboard motor attached. Trolling motors are allowed.

Lake Woodhaven:

50 AcresLake Woodhaven has a year round boat launch available to the public. Trolling motors are allowed as long as the boat does not have an outboard motor attached. There is no charge to use the boat launch.
Fishing
There are three lakes at Montgomery Bell State Park: Lake Woodhaven, a 50 acre lake with boat access, Creech Hollow Lake a 17.5 acre lake with no boat access, Lake Acorn a 26 acre lake. There is excellent fishing on all 3 lakes.

All persons fishing are required to have a valid Tennessee Fishing License. All laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fishing apply.

Lake Acorn: Open to fishing, year-around. Private boats allowed September 15-May 15. Gasoline motors are NOT ALLOWED. 15" limit on largemouth bass, 14" limit on channel catfish, creel limit is 5. There is no size limit on crappie, creel limit is 30. No size or creel limit on bluegill, catfish and shell cracker (red-ear).

Creech Hollow: Open to fishing, year round. 15" limit on largemouth bass, 14" limit on channel catfish; creel limit is 5. No size limit on crappie, creel limit is 30. No size or creel limit on bluegill, catfish and shell cracker (red-ear).

Lake Woodhaven: Private boats are allowed year-round, pending on weather conditions. Gasoline motors are NOT ALLOWED. Open to fishing with the following restrictions: there is a slot limit on largemouth bass, no bass under 15 inches. No bass 18-22 inches. One (1) bass over 22 inches. No size limit on crappie, 14" limit on channel catfish, creel limit is 30. No size or creel limit on bluegill, and shell cracker (red-ear).


Location
Montgomery Bell State Park is located near Ashland City, Dickson and Fairview

Picnicking
There are approximately 125 picnic tables scattered throughout the park and close at dark. Two playgrounds are located near picnic sites.

There are 5 picnic pavilions available that will hold 40 to 50 people each. Pavilions may be reserved up to one year in advance. All pavilions have grills and are covered.
Trails
With approximately 19 miles of hiking trails Montgomery Bell offers a variety of hiking experiences. From a .75 mile walk in the woods to the 11.7 mile-long overnight/backpacking trails, there are trails for hikers of all experience levels. The backcountry trail has three overnight shelters dispersed along its length, open year-round.

Trail maps may be purchased at the park office from 8-4 Monday thru Friday or at the Inn and Conference center anytime.

The collection of park plants and animals is prohibited by state law.

Dogs (and other pets), horses, hunting, firearms, fireworks, and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on park trails.

USE OF MONTGOMERY BELL OVERNIGHT TRAIL

HIKINGMaintain at least 3 mile distance between hiking parties. No more than six people are allowed in any one party unless a special permit is obtained from the park manager. Enjoy yourself, but remember to protect all natural features and the rights of other park visitors. Please leave the trails in the same, or better condition than you found them.

CAMPINGA camping permit must be obtained from the park manager, available at the visitor center. Prior reservations are recommended. Camping is permitted only at designated campsites on the Montgomery Bell overnight trail. For this purpose several shelters have been built. Please leave your campsite in such a condition that no one could tell you had camped there. Cutting of live vegetation, littering, piling of rocks, and other activities that would detract from the natural beauty of the park are forbidden.

MOTOR VEHICLES / HORSES / BIKESNo motorized vehicles, bikes or horses are permitted on any park trail. However, some trails utilize existing roads for short distances and hikers should exercise caution in using these sections.

WATERWater can be found in several springs and creeks throughout the park. This water must be treated with purification tablets or by boiling to make it safe for consumption.

LITTERThe park operates trails on a carry-in-carry-out policy. All disposables that you carry onto a trail must be packed out. If anyone before you has been careless enough to leave litter along the trail, you are encouraged to carry it out.

SANITATIONHuman wastes should be deposited at pit toilets located at each campsite.

COLLECTION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALSThe collection of park plants and animals are prohibited by state law. However, berries, nuts, and fruits of park plants may be picked in season for personal use only.

OTHER RULESAxes or hatchets are not allowed to be carried along the trails. Small backpack saws are permitted.
Bicycling
Be aware, the park offers over 20 miles of biking trails suitable for all skill levels.

The challenging MBSP Mountain Bike Trail is a popular choice among experienced bikers.

For beginners or casual cyclists, there's an easy three-mile loop trail around Lake Woodhaven.

Remember to bring your own bike as rentals are not available within this state reserve area.

Always wear helmets and follow safety guidelines while enjoying these scenic routes through lush forests and alongside beautiful lakes.

Night riding isn't permitted; ensure you finish before dusk to avoid penalties or potential hazards in low light conditions.

Note that some paths may be shared with hikers so always exercise caution when approaching pedestrians on the trails.
Birding
Birding enthusiasts can spot species like the Red-tailed Hawk, Eastern Bluebird and American Goldfinch. The park is home to over 100 bird species including waterfowl during migration seasons. Birdwatchers may also see Wood Ducks in the lakes or hear Whip-poor-wills at night. Other common sightings include Wild Turkey, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker and various songbirds such as warblers.
Area Attractions
Gift Shop

The gift shop offers a wide assortment of gifts, collectibles and souvenirs. You can choose from a variety of items such as a cap and t-shirt to a crystal ornament or a walking stick hand crafted in Tennessee, picture frames, magnets, mugs and plush animals for the kids. And if you have forgotten your toothbrush, we have that too! Please come in, browse and enjoy.

Get-Away-Package Specials

Check out our special Get-Away-Packages and take advantage of special discounts on inn rooms, etc.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 5 by Loura_P
park review stars; one to five
October 26 camping by Patty
park review stars; one to five We just took a camping trip Oct 2015. We decided we would eat our supper at the restaurant at the Inn on Friday our first day. We were there for the seafood buffet. MY first thought when we walked into the Inn was how DIRTY the outside windows were, Oh my if the outside windows at the restaurant were that dirty I can imagine the rooms are not properly cleaned. The windows looked as though they had not been cleaned in years. The restaurant was suppose to look out over a lake and the pool and hottub, the pool was closed due to the season understandable but the hot-tub was boarded up. It was hard to tell if there was even a lake but we walked outside to make sure.I was so disappointed in the place I told my group we would never try and come back to that INN. Its sad to see, Being from Tennessee one of our State Parks looking so bad. just saying Gee wiz
July 3 Great place for Kids of all ages by Audrey D.
park review stars; one to five My grandchildren love this park. The rangers have scheduled activities that they loved!
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Area Fishing Related Businesses
Steve & Rita's Market & Pizza
4109 Highway 70 E
White Bluff, TN
(615) 797-4555
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
I-40 West from Nashville, to Exit 182 (Fairview/Dickson Hwy. 96 Exit). Turn left (West) onto Highway 96. Stay on Highway 96 until it deadends at Highway 70. Turn right (East) on Highway 70, off-ramp provided. Stay on Highway 70 approximately 3 miles. Park entrance is on the right.

From Memphis (I-40):Take I-40 East to Exit 182 (Fairview/Dickson Hwy. 96 Exit). Turn left (West) onto Highway 96. Stay on Highway 96 until it deadends at Highway 70. Turn right (East) on Highway 70, off-ramp provided. Stay on Highway 70 approximately 3 miles. Park entrance is on the right.

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Tennessee
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Tennessee State Parks

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