A waterwheel powers a working gristmill at the museum in David Crockett State Park. The same park is home to Crockett Falls and places to enjoy activities such as hiking and paddling. This combination of landscape, recreation and history shapes many discoveries in Lawrence County.
Forests and Far-Reaching Trails
In northwest Lawrence County, the Laurel Hill Wildlife Management Area covers 14,952 acres. Mature hardwood forests make up 85 percent of the area. Mature hardwood forests thus define most of the site.
The Natchez Trace Parkway offers a different perspective on the region: This 444-mile recreational road and scenic route passes through three states. Along the Parkway, there are opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping. In northwest Lawrence County, access to the Parkway is via Highway 64 West. The region thus brings together an expansive forest area and a multi-state route, each best explored in its own way.
Waterfall and Activities at David Crockett State Park
David Crockett State Park is located in Lawrenceburg and covers 1,400 acres. Crockett Falls is a waterfall in the park. The museum there displays artifacts and exhibits about David Crockett, as well as the working waterwheel-powered gristmill. Here, nature and history come together at a named site.
Activities in the park include birdwatching, camping, fishing, hiking, paddling and biking. The choices range from quiet nature observation to outdoor exercise. You can also wade, paddle and fish on Shoal Creek in Lawrence County. Near Lawrenceburg’s Veterans Park, there is access to the water’s edge and fly-fishing.
Museums and Historic Buildings
At the Old Jail Museum, visitors can enter jail cells that were used from 1893 to 1974. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Ralph J Passarella Museum in downtown Loretto offers another way to explore local history, with interactive displays of historic collections and memorabilia. The Vaughan Museum features rare memorabilia, historic artifacts and interactive exhibits.
Architecture also makes its own mark. The Crockett Theatre in Lawrenceburg was built in 1950 in the Art Deco style and is listed on the National Historic Register. The Lawrence County Historical Society offers tours of its residence, built in 1904–05 in the Edwardian Colonial Revival style. Reservations are required; check tour options in advance.
A statue of David Crockett stands in Lawrenceburg’s Downtown Square. From there, you can stroll to historic sites and antique shops. For a history-focused stay, these places complement museum visits with a look at the town center.
Discover Ethridge and Activities Around the County
In Ethridge, wagon rides take visitors through the Amish community and include stops at Amish stores. Providers and routes may change, so it is a good idea to check tour details in advance. Maps for a self-guided tour of the Amish Museum are available at shops in Ethridge; individual distribution locations may change.
Amish farms in Ethridge sell fresh vegetables, jellies, jams, sorghum molasses and baked goods. Sellers and availability may vary. The history of the Amish settlement is also reflected at the Amish Heritage Farm Museum site: the first Amish home in Lawrence County was located there when Amish settlers arrived in Ethridge in 1944.
For more activities, try the Lawrence County Disc Golf Trail, which connects three municipal courses in St. Joseph, Loretto and Lawrenceburg. The range of options spans nature observation and water activities to museums, architecture and local history.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Lawrenceburg, Madison County, Washington County, Putnam County, Carter, Williamson, Wilson, Franklin County.
For the main travel overview: Tennessee.
