History, hiking and more at Montgomery Bell State Park

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Published on: 10/14/2025

Description

DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Just a 45-minute drive from Music City, Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns is a breath of fresh air for locals and travelers alike.

The 3,850-acre park features three lakes, roughly 20 miles of trails and a variety of lodging options for park visitors.

“We’re close enough that it's convenient, but we’re far enough away that you feel like you’re absolutely in the woods and the middle of nowhere," said Park Manager Destiny Adcox.

Adcox said the park's history dates back to the early 1800s with the birth of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church within the boundaries of the park. The church was founded in 1810 in the log cabin home of Reverend Samul McAdow, and a replica of the cabin and church can be found within the park.

Then came the iron industry. The park is named after iron tycoon Montgomery Bell, who formed one of the largest iron industries in Tennessee, Adcox said. The park includes what remains of Laurel Furnace, one of Tennessee's earliest manufacturing sites.

In the early 1930s, three agencies assisted in the construction of the park under the supervision of the National Park Service: the Public Works Administration, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

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https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/on-tour-middle-tn/montgomery-bell-state-park/