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Montgomery Bell State Park |
Montgomery Bell State Park
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Montgomery Bell State Park is located seven miles east of Dickson in Dickson
County. The rolling hills of Dickson County contain a treasure that was
considered more precious than gold to the builders of young America. The
treasure was iron ore, and it lured men by the hundreds to this area of Middle
Tennessee. The site of the first Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at
Montgomery Bell State Park.
The iron industry in Dickson County has been long silent, but the 3,782 acres
that make up Montgomery Bell State Resort Park still show the signs of its
presence. Near the remains of the Old Laurel Furnace, ore pits, where men once
scratched iron ore from the earth, lie quiet and abandoned; the hardwood forest,
once heavily cut to clear farmland, and to produce charcoal for the iron
furnaces, has slowly healed its wounds. Fox, squirrel, raccoon, opossum, deer
and a wide variety of birds and wildflowers have returned to the forest, making
Montgomery Bell a place of quiet natural beauty.
Boating
Lake Acorn: 17 Acres
The Boat dock on Lake Acorn will be open for the summer 2006 season from
Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Canoes, paddle boats and jon boats
are available for rent Monday thru Friday, 9am - 5pm and Sat. thru Sun., 7am -
5pm. After Labor Day weekend, privately owned boats are allowed on the lake
provided your boat does not have an outboard motor attached. Trolling motors are
allowed.
Lake Woodhaven: 50 Acres
Lake Woodhaven has a year round boat launch available to the public. Trolling
motors are allowed as long as the boat does not have an outboard motor attached.
There is no charge to use the boat launch.
Tennessee Boating Regulations (exit TDEC)
Cabins
There are 8 two-bedroom vacation cottages located across a cove from the Park
Inn and Restaurant with a rustic wooden bridge connecting these two areas. Three
of the cabins sleep 8 people, four of the cabins sleep 7 people and one cabin
sleeps 4 people.
All beds are double beds and each cabin has one roll-away bed. Cabins are
basically open year round (the park is closed at some point during the off
season due to regular maintenance-check with the park for these dates), are
completely equipped for housekeeping and include television and telephones.
Camping
Campgrounds provide both 30 and 50 amp. electric service and can accommodate 32
ft. campers on most electrical sites. Campground can accommodate needs from
pop-up campers to the largest RV's.
There are 2 pull-through campsites that are accessible to persons with a
disability.
There is a creek that runs beside the campground with some sites being located
along the creek bank.
There are three bathhouses located in the campground, two are accessible to
persons with a disability. Picnic tables and grills are available at campsites.
Back country camping is allowed with a back country camping permit. For more
information on how to obtain this permit contact the park office.
Conference Facility
Montgomery Bell State Park offers conference style meeting room facilities to
accommodate up to 500 people. Banquet and catering services are available.
Equipment:
Overhead projector, microphones, mic stands, screen, sound system, marker
boards, phone, podium, lavaliere mics, markers, internet connection, TV and VCR,
slide projectors.
Conference rooms, floor plan, capacities and dimensions ( printable .pdf format)
Group Camping
Rustic Cabins sleep 120 people in 47 cabins. Built in the 1930's, the buildings
are constructed of Crab Orchard stone, hand hewn and quarried in Tennessee and
considered a historical landmark. Cabins are located in a rustic setting above
Lake Woodhaven.
Campers should bring their own linen, food, ice and charcoal or wood for fire.
Provided are 2 ovens, 2 stoves, 2 sinks and a walk-in cooler/refrigerator. There
are 2 bathhouses (2 showers in each), sinks, toilets, running water and hot
water. On-premise catering is available.
Park Inn
The Inn, Conference Center and restaurant overlook the lovely Lake Acorn.
Amenities include cable television, year-round indoor pool, jacuzzi, and outdoor
pool (seasonal), exercise room and laundry facilities. The Inn has 120 rooms and
5 suites with every room having a view of the lake.
Picnic Facilities
There are approximately 125 picnic tables scattered throughout the park and
close at dark. Two playgrounds are located near picnic sites.
There are 5 picnic pavilions available that will hold 40 to 50 people each.
Pavilions may be reserved up to one year in advance. All pavilions have grills
and are covered.
Restaurant
The restaurant at Montgomery Bell is part of the Inn and Conference Center. The
restaurant seats up to 190 people and has a picturesque view of Lake Acorn.
Hours of Operation:
Breakfast: 7am-10am
Lunch: 11am-2pm
Dinner: 5pm-8pm
Dinner on Fri. and Sat.: 5pm-9pm
Seafood Buffet on Friday nights; Steak Buffet on Saturday nights.
Swimming
The swimming beach on Lake Acorn will be open for the 2006 summer season from
Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Hours are: 9am - 6pm.
There are NO lifeguards on duty, therefore visitors are swimming at their own
risk. For more information, call the park at 615-797-9051.
Directions
I-40 West from Nashville, to Exit 182 (Fairview/Dickson Hwy. 96 Exit). Turn left
(West) onto Highway 96. Stay on Highway 96 until it deadends at Highway 70. Turn
right (East) on Highway 70, off-ramp provided. Stay on Highway 70 approximately
3 miles. Park entrance is on the right.
From Memphis (I-40):Take I-40 East to Exit 182 (Fairview/Dickson Hwy. 96 Exit).
Turn right (West) onto Highway 96. Stay on Highway 96 until it deadends at
Highway 70. Turn right (East) on Highway 70, off-ramp provided. Stay on Highway
70 approximately 3 miles. Park entrance is on the right.
Gift Shop
The gift shop offers a wide assortment of gifts, collectibles and souvenirs. You
can choose from a variety of items such as a cap and t-shirt to a crystal
ornament or a walking stick hand crafted in Tennessee, picture frames, magnets,
mugs and plush animals for the kids. And if you have forgotten your toothbrush,
we have that too! Please come in, browse and enjoy.
Get-Away-Package Specials
Check out our special Get-Away-Packages and take advantage of special discounts
on inn rooms, etc.
Programs
Programs offered by park Interpretive Specialists include: Amphibians &
Reptiles, Aquatic Ecosystems, Forest Ecosystems, Fossils of TN, Mammals of TN,
Nature Games/Nature Touch & Feel, Nature Walks, Recycle It!, Wildflower
Walks(seasonal) and Harpeth River Canoe Floats (seasonal). Contact the park for
scheduling.
Team building programs by AdventureWorks - Photo Gallery
Other Activities
Horseshoes, Softball Fields, Volleyball, Exercise Equipment (located at the
inn), Basketball, Playgrounds and two Tennis Courts (open 6am-10pm), with
swimming available for inn and cabin guests only.
Tour Buses
Tour buses are welcome.
Honors
The Nashville Business Journal 2006 Book of Lists ranks Montgomery Bell Inn and
Conference Center as 18th on Banquet Facilities and 23rd on Convention
Facilities. |
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