Laurel-Snow State Natural Area is a Tennessee Class II Natural-Scientific State Natural Area located in Rhea County, Tennessee, near Dayton, on Walden Ridge of the Cumberland Plateau. The 2,259-acre (9.14 km2) area is owned by the State of Tennessee and managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. It is a component of the Cumberland Trail, a linear park.[1]
Laurel-Snow State Natural Area | |
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Map of Tennessee | |
Location | Rhea County, Tennessee |
Nearest city | Dayton |
Coordinates | 35°31′36″N 85°01′20″W / 35.5267°N 85.0223°W |
Area | 2,259 acres (914 ha) |
Designated | 1973 |
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The Laurel-Snow trail within the natural area was the first National Recreation Trail designated in Tennessee.[1]
The Laurel-Snow State Natural Area got its name from two of the four waterfalls in the area, the 80-foot (24 m) Laurel Falls[2] and the 12-foot (3.7 m) Snow Falls.[3]
A 710-acre (2.9 km2) portion of the area was formerly a Bowater pocket wilderness.[4]