The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Virginia creeper and fern plants cover the ground at Stone Preserve © Byron Jorjorian

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

"Bouldering," exploring, wildlife watching View All

Plan Your Visit

If you're inclined to try "bouldering" at Stone Preserve, read these suggestions, tips, and guidelines provided by the East Tennessee Climbers Coalition. Love water sports? Check out the nearby Obed Wild and Scenic River for fishing, paddling, and more. View All

Get Directions

Totaling 66 acres and famous for its large sandstone boulders—some as large as houses—Stone Preserve is The Nature Conservancy's newest protected property in Tennessee. This scenic site was generously donated to the Conservancy by Dr. Fred and Helen Stone and is located in Morgan County, near the Lilly's Bluff overlook of the Obed Wild and Scenic River. The cool and shady forests of Stone Preserve provide habitat for several species of salamanders and song birds, such as Swainson's warbler.

Stone Preserve is popular with climbers who enjoy "bouldering," or climbing boulders without the aid of climbing gear. Contact East Tennessee Climbers Coalition (ph: 865-566-6547) and The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (email inquiries to info@seclimbers.org) for more information.

Things To Do

The large sandstone boulders at Stone Preserve provide a beautiful natural setting for the popular sport, "bouldering," or rock climbing without the use of formal rock climbing gear. While there are no official hiking trails as of yet established at Stone Preserve, there are some meandering paths through the woods, including those that lead to popular "bouldering" spots.

The pine and hardwood forests and the large boulders at the preserve are home to a variety of wildlife, including several salamander species. Visitors might catch a glimpse of a red-spotted newt or green salamander during a trip to Stone Preserve.

For more recreational opportunities, including paddling, rock climbing, hiking, and fishing, check out the nearby Obed Wild and Scenic River. (Visit the National Park Service's Obed Wild and Scenic River website for more information.)

Plan Your Visit

The weather at Stone Preserve varies by season but be sure to bring plenty of water, regardless of the season, especially if you plan to go "bouldering."

If you intend to go "bouldering" at Stone Preserve, review the following guidelines about climbing in the Obed Wild and Scenic River region (near Stone Preserve) published by the East Tennessee Climbers Coalition:

ETHICS– A general code of behavior that when violated will result in shame, guilt, sleepless nights, being the butt of jokes and may cause closure of the Obed for rock climbing. 

1. COURTESY

• Be courteous to the park and the rock.
• Be courteous to the other climbers and park employees that you meet while climbing or hiking. All these people can be your friend.
• Don't be a litterbug. Pack out all that you pack in.
• If you are planning a large climbing group at the Obed, please be considerate of other climbers. Pick your outing in low-use areas and on low-use days. If other climbers want to use a route that your group is holding (by top rope or otherwise), let other climbers play through.
• If your dog is not friendly or controllable, please keep Fido on a leash or leave at the house.
• Please bury any dog waste.

2. TOP ROPING

• Please do not top rope through anchors. Please top rope through your own draws.
• It is not necessary to rappel from fixed anchors. If the length of your rope allows, it is OK to lower from fixed anchors.
• Please do not set up top ropes and leave rope unattended. This practice excludes others from climbing.

3. CHALK

• Brush your projects.
• Give your warm-ups a brush, too.
• If you make tick marks make them small, then brush them away when you are finished.
• If you spill chalk, clean it up.

4. FIXED GEAR

• Fixed gear has been left as convenience and for safety, not to be scarfed. Scarfed gear has a tendency to explode.
• Long sticks at the base of cliffs may be the stick clips. Do not use them for another purpose or break them.
  

5. BOLTING

• The BOLTING MORATORIUM IS STILL IN EFFECT
• The Climbing Management Plan is available at http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/public-lands/national-parks/obed-river/climbing-management-plan.pdf
• Do not chop bolts or rebolt without agreement from the Access Fund Regional Coordinator or his designee.

6. CHIPPING OR MANUFACTURING OR GLUE/BOLT ON HOLDS

• DON'T!!!

7. TOPPING OUT

• Do not top out the climbs. The vegetation on the top of the cliff is precious and should not be stepped on.

8. TREES AND VEGETATION

• The vegetation at the bottom of the cliff is also precious and should not be cut, broken, stepped on, stripped, or hurt in any way. Be nice to the trees.
• Please use the well-maintained trails at and to the climbing areas.

9. CAMPING

• Do not camp at the Stone Preserve boulder field.
• Camping is allowed in the Obed Scenic River park land; however, you must be 200 feet from the trail, water, or parking area.
• Do not camp in the South Clear parking area. This is private property
• Don't camp under the popular climbs.
• If you camp at Dell and Marty's, follow the posted rules.

10. COMMUNICATION

• Communicate with the Access Fund and National Park Service whenever you have a concern.
• If you see someone doing things that are not right, call 'em out. Enforcement of the above ethics is on you!

         – – – – – – –

OBED WILD AND SCENIC RIVER– If you want to try paddling, rock climbing, hiking, or fishing on the Obed Wild and Scenic River, which abuts Stone Preserve, explore the National Park Service's Obed Wild and Scenic River website for more detailed information.

Directions

 From Nashville (approx. 141 miles - 2 hrs., 35 min.)
Take I-40 east towards Knoxville. Take Crossville exit 320 onto TN-298/Genesis Rd. Turn left on TN-298 N/Genesis Rd and continue until it ends at TN-62 E/Nashville Hwy. Turn right on TN-62 E/Nashville Hwy. Go approximately 2-3 miles and turn right on Ridge Road. There should be a brown govt. sign for Obed Wild and Scenic River - Lilly’s Access at the corner of TN-62 and Ridge Road. Stay on Ridge Road, cross over Clear Creek, and go up hill to Lilly’s Bluff Parking Area on left. Turn into National Park Service's Lilly’s Bluff Overlook Parking area.

From Knoxville (approx. 69 miles - 1 hr., 23 min.)
Take I-40 west towards Nashville. Take Harriman exit 350 toward Harriman/Midtown. Turn right onto TN-29 N/Pine Ridge Rd. Turn right onto TN-29 N/US-27 N/S Roane St. Take TN-29 N/US-27 N toward Wartburg. Go through Wartburg on US-27 N and turn left onto TN-62 W/Nashville Hwy. Go approximately 4 miles and turn left on Ridge Road. Look for a brown government sign for Obed Wild and Scenic River - Lilly’s Access at the corner of TN-62 and Ridge Road. Stay on Ridge Road, cross over Clear Creek, and go up hill to Lilly’s Bluff Parking Area on left. Turn into National Park Service's Lilly’s Bluff Overlook Parking area.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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