Many of the handsome sandstone structures you'll find in Pickett State Park were built in 1930's. Like many state parks, the Civilian Conservation Corps provided trail improvements and generally beautified the park for a growing class of weekend automobilMany of the handsome sandstone structures you'll find in Pickett State Park were built in 1930's. Like many state parks, the Civilian Conservation Corps provided trail improvements and generally beautified the park for a growing class of weekend automobile tourists. Two companies worked here. Company 447 occupied the park from 1934-1941. A memorial at the park's entrance explains, "Each company consisted of about 200 young men who were housed in tents and barracks under the management of army personnel. The men were paid $30 a month, of which $25 was sent home. They also received free housing, food, medical and dental care as well as educational benefits." The southern terminus of the Sheltowee Trace is at TN 154 in the park. It is also the trailhead for the Hidden Passage Trail. The name refers to a narrow aperture along the rim of Thompson Creek. One can find many hidden passages of death if one ventures off trail. The trail is routed above a narrow valley on a craggy gorge rim. There are many places to fall. The cliffline above Station Camp Creek near the Twin Arches is immense with towering south-facing dry rockhouses.

Twin Arches, 5 miles
Hidden Passage, Rock Creek, Double Falls, 13 miles
East Rim Overlook - DSCN9836
East Rim Overlook - DSCN9835
The Tourism Wilde West - DSCN9827
Pickett State Park - DSCN9825
Hazard Cave - DSCN9821
Hazard Cave - DSCN9819
Hazard Cave - DSCN9817
Natural Bridge - DSCN9815
Picket State Park - DSCN9810
Picket State Park - DSCN9805
Picket State Park, Swinging Bridge - DSCN9799
Picket State Park - DSCN9796
Picket State Park - DSCN9792