Fort Loudoun State Park
Fort Loudoun State Park
4.5
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This historic state park was one of the first British fortifications on the western frontier. It has been restored and is open for the historical education and enjoyment of the public. More information on this park and many more can be found at the TN State Parks website.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
157 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
47
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
sharonpati
Philadelphia, PA138 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
The fort was in use during the French and Indian war for only 4 years. It has been restored and is a beautiful park on the lake. Don't forget to see the film in the visitor center. It is a walled fortress with wooden restored buildings. Fun for everyone. And it's for sure not a wooden fence in your backyard. Did I mention it's free
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OBIDOCRL
Chattanooga, TN251 contributions
Jun 2022
Fort Loudoun was a British fort located in what is now Monroe County,
Tennessee. Constructed from 1756 until 1757 to help garner Cherokee support
for the British at the outset of the French and Indian War, the fort was one
of the first significant British outposts west of the Appalachian Mountains.
At the park, they have a great visitor center with several artifacts and some
wonderful displays about the fort and its history. Also inside the visitor
center, they have a short film that tells the overall history of the fort and
area that is shown on demand. They also have a full reconstruction of the
fort behind the visitor center with more displays. Everything is very well
done.
The park staff is very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit
here. I highly recommend a visit here to learn more about the history of it.
Also, they have a few hiking trails and offer camping as well. The park is
located next to the Little Tennessee River so boating and swimming, etc. are
other activities you can enjoy.
Tennessee. Constructed from 1756 until 1757 to help garner Cherokee support
for the British at the outset of the French and Indian War, the fort was one
of the first significant British outposts west of the Appalachian Mountains.
At the park, they have a great visitor center with several artifacts and some
wonderful displays about the fort and its history. Also inside the visitor
center, they have a short film that tells the overall history of the fort and
area that is shown on demand. They also have a full reconstruction of the
fort behind the visitor center with more displays. Everything is very well
done.
The park staff is very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit
here. I highly recommend a visit here to learn more about the history of it.
Also, they have a few hiking trails and offer camping as well. The park is
located next to the Little Tennessee River so boating and swimming, etc. are
other activities you can enjoy.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ceara_Nevada
Dallas, TX123 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Walking through For Loudon was like walking through time. They did a wonderful job recreating the Fort and preserving artifacts. You can spend as little as 30 minutes here just walking through the Fort or as much as several hours if you choose to hike.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin Archibald
Kingston, TN4,468 contributions
Oct 2021
Outstanding rebuilt fort showing what the area was like long before Tennessee was a state. It was interesting to see the original maps of the area showing that Tennessee was originally part of South Carolina. They have gone a great job of rebuilding the fort and presenting the history. Make sure that you take the time to watch the video presentation before strolling through the fort. It gives it a lot more meaning. The staff were very informative and helpful.
Written January 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod K
Nokomis, FL563 contributions
Aug 2021
A very impressive fort/museum with an impressive staff. Well worth your time to visit this hidden gem and get a feel for the 1700 time frame when the Brits were courting the Cherokees to thrash the French. Tammy on the staff is a star here.
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debbie e
Hoisington, KS88 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
A well-kept, beautiful park! One of the best in TN. It has many picnic areas, under trees and shade, also near the river. It has a recreated fort, sometimes they have events showing life in the fort in the 1700s. It has a fishing dock and a boat launch area. There are trails and walking paths. Beautiful views of the lake and mountains. A must see!
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
journalmytrips
Georgia699 contributions
Sep 2022
This park presents the historic connection of this area to the French and Indian War aka the Seven Years War. Do see the video first to acquaint yourself with the history. Make a short tour of the museum and then walk to the reconstructed fort.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EAL17
Maryville, TN158 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
If you live in or are visiting East Tennessee (particularly Maryville, Madisonville, Knoxville, Lenoir City, etc.) this is a great park to visit. My family lives nearby and visits several times a year. Originally built during the French & Indian War, the recreated fort is historic in and of itself, dating to the Great Depression. The fort has a small museum to introduce you to the fort, with gift shop, theater, and clean bathrooms. A short walking path behind the museum takes you to the recreated fort. Fort includes a stockade, several buildings, and an example of a Native American dwelling. An hour and a half is probably plenty of time to see everything, but you can certainly spend longer. The park rangers are the nicest and most helpful people you will ever meet. Best of all, it is all free (except for the very affordable 18th Century Trade Faire).
I recommend coming during a garrison weekend, when they have demonstrations and reinactors in period clothing. Also, their fall 18th Century Trade Faire is not to be missed- great entertainment, a battle reinactment, food, homemade goods for sale, etc. (although for someone who has seen it several times, it is probably about time they got some fresh shows for it). Plan 3-4 hours for one of these events.
The location is quite beautiful right on the lake. There is a picnic area with a dock for fishing, also a boat dock and kayaks for rental. The park is actually on a large, hilly island formed when the valley was flooded by TVA. Hiking trails offer light to moderate hiking through the woods and fields of the island, offering some good views of the lake. I usually do both large loops, which is about 4-5 miles in length. They are not overly traveled, are well-maintained and can provide a nice get-away closer than the Smoky's for me.
On a warm summer afternoon my family likes to come down and have a cookout. The kids and I will swim in the lake to cool off. We often bring our dogs, which are welcome in the park (not sure if they are welcome in the fort itself).
I recommend coming during a garrison weekend, when they have demonstrations and reinactors in period clothing. Also, their fall 18th Century Trade Faire is not to be missed- great entertainment, a battle reinactment, food, homemade goods for sale, etc. (although for someone who has seen it several times, it is probably about time they got some fresh shows for it). Plan 3-4 hours for one of these events.
The location is quite beautiful right on the lake. There is a picnic area with a dock for fishing, also a boat dock and kayaks for rental. The park is actually on a large, hilly island formed when the valley was flooded by TVA. Hiking trails offer light to moderate hiking through the woods and fields of the island, offering some good views of the lake. I usually do both large loops, which is about 4-5 miles in length. They are not overly traveled, are well-maintained and can provide a nice get-away closer than the Smoky's for me.
On a warm summer afternoon my family likes to come down and have a cookout. The kids and I will swim in the lake to cool off. We often bring our dogs, which are welcome in the park (not sure if they are welcome in the fort itself).
Written April 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hmh717
Woodridge, NY814 contributions
May 2016 • Family
As a visitor from out of state ( from NY), I found this park to be absolutely wonderful. My brother took us here kayaking and to have a picnic. The views from the history site are breath taking. The history is rich and amazing. This is just a wonderful place!
Written May 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert H
Chattanooga, TN23 contributions
May 2020
This was a very good state park. The location is excellent, right on a lake of the Tennessee River. I went there for the history. This was the site of a British army fort before the Revolution. I attended a program with a guide dressed in period British army dress who discussed the life of a British soldier on the American frontier It was very good. They also do a number of other similar presentations. The visitor center also has very good exhibits concerning the period of the fort's operation. Even if you are not into the history, the scenic area is worth visiting.
Written June 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela P
Greenback, TN23 contributions
What are their hours of operation?
Jennifer Hawkin... H
25 contributions
After calling the museum, I learned the hours for the Visitor's Center and Museum are 7-Days-a-Week 8AM till 4:30PM and the trail around the museum and into the fort opens at 8AM and stays open until sunset. We always call call a venue in advance to verify hours.
bigalsmalldeb
Manchester, MD1 contribution
is the an admission charge to visit
Kim F
Knoxville, TN69 contributions
No Charge:
The video is worth watching, no charge for that either. Donations are accepted and appreciated. Enjoy! Leave plenty of time to walk the trails.
bigalsmalldeb
Manchester, MD1 contribution
is there an admission charge to visit?
M Stacie P
Plant City, FL7 contributions
No charge. Voluntary donation box only.
ImLostRU
Smyrna, TN6 contributions
Are dogs on leash allowed inside the fort?
TnTfromSC
South Carolina78 contributions
We did see dogs on leashes on the grounds in front of the museum where everyone was sitting, lounging, fishing and picnicking. We do not know if dogs on leashes are allowed in the museum or fort. Perhaps a quick phone call to Fort Loudoun State Park staff will answer that question.
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Claim your listingFort Loudoun State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Loudoun State Park
- Hotels near Fort Loudoun State Park:
- (0.80 mi) Sequoyah Marina and Resort
- (5.61 mi) Sweetberries Bed and Breakfast
- (2.28 mi) Toqua Beach Campground
- (3.55 mi) Grand Vista Hotel and Suites
- (6.60 mi) Dragon Pitt Inn
- Restaurants near Fort Loudoun State Park:
- (0.69 mi) Mudpuppy
- (1.21 mi) Pizzeria Venti
- (0.93 mi) Lakehouse Grill
- (2.00 mi) Cielito Lindo Mexican Grill
- (1.43 mi) Hardee's
- Attractions near Fort Loudoun State Park:
- (0.49 mi) Tellico Blockhouse State Historic Site
- (1.02 mi) Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
- (5.48 mi) Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams
- (7.85 mi) Citico Wildlife Wilderness
- (2.46 mi) The Links at Kahite