Our family simply calls it the "Nature Center," and we like to duck in here for a quick walk to see the red wolves or take a drive around the Reflection Riding Loop or take an hour or two for a canoe ride.
PICNIC? yes
SWIMSUIT? not really, though you might get a bit wet on a canoe ride!
COST? $10 adults, $7 kids
I highly recommend a year family membership if you have intentions of going more than once. At $65, it helps the Nature Center meet their costs and gives your family unlimited access to enjoy the area!
PLAYGROUND? yes, a small one
AUTHOR'S RATING? five out of five stars!
HOURS? daylight to dark
I rarely give a pay-for-visit park a five stars, but this is one exception. I love the fact that there are so many different kinds of things to do, and I appreciate that, especially as a homeschooling family, we have 317 acres at our disposal to explore and guides to help us learn as we do so!
There is a short board walk kind of hike out to the "Discovery Forest Treehouse," which can be rented for parties, but is just fun to explore as you walk around the short hike.
The Discovery Forest Tree House
Paddler's Perch is an adventurous way to experience the Nature Center at night. With an enclosed room and a composting toilet, you can camp above Lookout Creek in style! $35 for 2, $10 for each extra person, 8 person limit
(members or those paddling down the Tennessee River Blueway only)
Speaking of paddling...
After watching a short video (if it's your first time), and checking out your gear, you can hike down to the creek, unlock your canoes, and get going!
While paddling or hiking, keep a lookout for great wildlife discoveries!
Don't forget to enjoy the quiet, natural beauty!
If you don't turn off the path towards the canoes and Paddler's Perch, but keep walking, you'll come to a wonderful tiny bit of zoo hidden away in the woods. It is here at the Wildlife Wanderland that the nature center keeps the red wolves that are on loan for the US Fish and Wildlife Services. These wolves are endangered and the Nature Center is breeding them in hopes of raising numbers--we were able to see the tiny puppies that were born a few years ago, and it was pretty neat!
Our favorite animal at the Nature Center is the Bobcat. He came to the Nature Center after being kept illegally as a pet, and he usually comes around if you call for him. It's fascinating to see him look so much like a house cat but be so much bigger and stronger. He kind of emenates power.
Wherever you are at the Nature Center, expect surprise visitors!
Back in the welcome center, there is a little exhibit for their red wolves,
and a large exhibit of C. E. Blevins Nesting Birds art work. These lovely nest and egg replicas are worth walking through and gasping over!
My kiddos love the "come and touch and see" attitude of the Nature Center!
Behind the welcome center there is a park with a small "playscape".
And of course a few snakes; no nature center would be complete without them!
There is so much more than I have pictured at the Nature Center! Check out their
classes, their
tours, or their
camps. Look up their availabilities for
meetings or weddings. Play in their bamboo forest; admire their cabins and lakes; ride horses!
