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Chickasaw Trace County Park (in Columbia, TN)
History
In 1992, Bob Martin, Director of the
Maury County Parks and Recreation, approached
Columbia Cycling Club (CCC) members about his desire for
them to build a Mountain Bike (MTB) and hiking trail at
Chickasaw Trace County Park. The offer was gladly accepted
and with dedicated work over eight years we now have 7.75
miles of single track. The park covers 300 acres and is
located on the banks of the Duck River and a tributary, Knob
Creek. The CCC is solely responsible for the maintenance of
the trail and does so with CCC volunteers. Trail blazing
equipment has been purchased through proceeds from various
racing events hosted by the club at the park.
Description of the Trails
Chickasaw is suitable for all levels of
Mountain Bike riders - from expert racers to
5-year-olds. Several sections of trail have been
identified with the signs being constructed and
installed through an Eagle Scout project. The trail
is a 7.75-mile serpentine loop. If ridden in a
clockwise direction from the trailhead at the MTB
parking lot, the initial four miles are relatively
flat and follow Knob Creek and the Duck River. Upon
entering the "Trail of Tears", the final four miles
become very difficult, also known as "technical"
among Mountain Bike enthusiasts. The course is
designed with several entry/exit points so that a
rider can pick the parts of the trail that suits him
or her. A weekend at Chickasaw will find racers
training by doing multiple laps of the entire course
or families with small children on their bikes
riding the scenic River and Woodland Trails. Maps
of the course are available at Columbia Cycling
Club's sign located at the Mountain Bike parking
field. |
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The Club tries to keep trail maps stocked at the
information sign at the MTB parking lot.
Click here for a printable PDF map of the
trails. |
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Other Park
Features
The Chickasaw Trace
County Park has a log cabin and three open-air shelters
available for gatherings. There is a radio control flight
field for model airplanes and a boat ramp for the Duck
River.
Directions
Columbia residents: Chickasaw Park is
located on at 1417 New Hwy. 7 in Columbia, TN, almost two
miles past the intersection of New Hwy. 7 (Santa Fe Pike)
and Industrial Park Road.
From I-65: take Exit 46 and
go west on 412. Continue on 412 for 11 miles and exit right
on New Hwy. 7 and right again at the end of the exit toward
Dickson. Entrance to the park is approximately 4 miles on
the left.
From I-40: take Exit 172. Go
south on Hwy 46 that eventually becomes Hwy. 7. Stay on Hwy.
7 south for approximately 20 miles. The park is on the right
just after the village of Athendale.
Trail Parking
Take the first left entering the park,
then hard left again downhill (dirt road) to get to the main
Mountain Bike parking field. Suggestion: If you are going to
ride the River and Woodland Trails only, it is more
convenient to park in the Boat Ramp parking lot. Instead of
a hard left, continue on the paved road. The lot is on the
right about 50 yards from the river. |