History Comes Alive At This Full-Scale British Fort In Tennessee With Mountain Views And Water Activities

Visitors to Tennessee's Mississippi Valley are invited to step into a period before the formation of the United States of America and see what life was like for British soldiers in the 18th century. Fort Loudoun State Historic Park in Vonore, Tennessee, brings guests face-to-face with reenactors, guided tours, and special events throughout the year. This fort, however, is a reconstruction, and not one of America's best-preserved, like Fort Ticonderoga in New York. But what it lacks in age, it more than makes up for in authenticity.

Built in 1756, Fort Loudoun is one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier. It was used as a garrison during the French and Indian War by the British Colony's Independent Company of South Carolina as a way to protect the Mississippi Valley from the French. Not only did it help the British drive the French away, but it also formed an alliance with the Overhill Cherokee Nation. Trade between the two nations flourished afterward.

When the allyship between the Cherokee and British crumbled four years later, it is believed the Cherokee burned down the fort. The remains sat buried under nature's foliage until 1917. The fort was eventually reconstructed and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, just 20 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most breathtaking national parks on the East Coast.

Tennessee has a number of don't-miss state parks to include on your next trip, and Fort Loudoun is definitely a top contender. The historic park sits on an island in the Little Tennessee River just 30 miles south of Knoxville. Plan a full day to explore the fort and to take advantage of the 1,200-acre park on which it sits.

Fort Loudoun State Historic Area hosts special "garrison weekends," which bring the fort's history to life with reenactors. On select weekends, as highlighted on the park's website, guests can see demonstrations of what life was like during the French and Indian War. The special weekends are free to all visitors. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round and hosts special ticketed seasonal events such as the 18th Century Trade Faire in October and the annual Christmas at Fort Loudoun event.

A visitors' center greets guests and invites them to explore the site as well as watch a brief, 15-minute film explaining the fort's history. Just outside, there are views of the Appalachian Mountains from multiple scattered picnic areas near three hiking trails. The trails vary in length from half a mile to just over 2 miles, and maps of each are available at the visitors' center. There's also a boat dock and fishing pier for those looking to spend the day on the water.