🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: A Before-Daylight Trade Day in Collinsville, Coffee With a Ranger Over Laurel Gulf and Japanese Fish Printing on Chickamauga Lake

Or: Hunt Bargains at an Alabama Trade Day, Sip Coffee on a Cliff-Top Overlook, Cook Shish Kabobs Over a Fire, Wade 18 Creek Crossings to Window Cliffs, Print a Fish Like an Old-Time Fisherman, Try Rock Climbing for the First Time, Make a Cornhusk Doll and Stroll a Forest of Christmas Trees — Eight New Day Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, October 15, 2026

Howdy, neighbor. Here’s batch number thirty-four of Hundred-Mile Happenings, our running list of unusual, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap. Same promise as always: when, where, how far, what it costs and who’ll love it, in plain words. And no repeats. Every one of these is new to the list.

This round is made for early risers and folks who like to do something with their hands. It starts this Saturday at Collinsville Trade Day, a giant Alabama outdoor market that opens before the sun is up. Then there’s Coffee With a Ranger on a Savage Gulf overlook, Fireside Thursdays campfire cooking at Tims Ford, a Window Cliffs fall foliage hike with Burgess Falls rangers, Japanese fish printing at Booker T. Washington State Park, a beginner rock-climbing day at Foster Falls, Cherokee cornhusk dolls at Red Clay, and Knoxville’s Fantasy of Trees to carry you into Christmas.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Every Saturday (starting Oct. 17), opens 4:30 a.m. Central: Collinsville Trade Day, Collinsville, Ala. Free to browse, per listings; bring cash.
• Sun., Oct. 18, 8:30–9:30 a.m. Central: Coffee With a Ranger, Laurel Gulf Overlook, Savage Gulf State Park. $8; register.
• Thu., Oct. 22, 4:30–6 p.m. Central: Fireside Thursdays: Shish Kabobs, Tims Ford State Park. $10; register.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Central: Fall Foliage Window Cliffs Hike, Burgess Falls State Park. $10; register.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 3–4 p.m. Eastern (2–3 p.m. our time): The Art of Fish Printing, Booker T. Washington State Park, Chattanooga. Cost not posted — check before you go.
• Sun., Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Central: Intro to Rock Climbing, Foster Falls. $50; register.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 11 a.m.–noon Eastern (10–11 a.m. our time): Cherokee Cornhusk Dolls, Red Clay State Historic Park. $3; sign up in advance.
• Wed.–Sun., Nov. 25–29, Eastern: Fantasy of Trees, Knoxville Convention Center. Hours and tickets — check before you go.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Chattanooga, Red Clay and Knoxville are Eastern Time — one hour ahead of Dunlap. The fish printing, the cornhusk dolls and Fantasy of Trees all post Eastern times, so subtract an hour to get Dunlap time. Collinsville (Alabama), Savage Gulf, Tims Ford, Burgess Falls and Foster Falls are on Central, same as us — no clock math. And one more: daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Set clocks back an hour Saturday night, Oct. 31. Write it on the calendar the way you’ll read it at 5 a.m.: “2 p.m. OUR time for fish printing” beats “3 p.m. Eastern” every time.

🛒 Hunt Bargains Before Sunup at Collinsville Trade Day

Some folks drink their first cup of coffee at the kitchen table. Trade Day regulars drink theirs walking the rows. Collinsville Trade Day calls itself one of the largest outdoor markets in the South, and it’s open every Saturday on U.S. Highway 11 in Collinsville, Alabama. You’ll find antiques, collectibles, kids’ toys and clothes, work boots, fishing gear, tools, furniture, fresh produce and plants, plus plenty of food stands. It’s the kind of place where you go looking for a cast-iron skillet and come home with a skillet, a sack of peanuts and a story.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Every Saturday — the next ones are Oct. 17, 24 and 31 and Nov. 7. The market opens at 4:30 a.m. Central and runs until vendors pack up, usually early afternoon.
• Where: 1102 S. Valley Ave. (U.S. Hwy. 11), Collinsville, AL 35961.
• How far: Right at our 100-mile edge — about 100–110 miles, roughly 2 hours, by way of Jasper and I-59 past Fort Payne. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Listings say browsing is free; some visitors report a small parking fee, so bring cash and check before you go. Office: 256-524-2127.
• Who’ll love it: Early birds, bargain hunters, antique pickers, gardeners and anybody who likes a good walk with something to look at.
• Good to know: Alabama is Central Time, like us. Shoppers say the sweet spot is about 7–11 a.m.; many vendors are packing up by late morning. Wear walking shoes and bring a wagon or tote for your finds.

👉 Read more (Collinsville Trade Day)

☕ Sip Coffee With a Ranger on the Laurel Gulf Overlook

Here’s one tailor-made for the Valley’s early risers, and it’s practically next door. On Sunday morning, Oct. 18, Savage Gulf Ranger Jamie sets up a coffee station at the Laurel Gulf Overlook, a short, paved quarter-mile walk from the Stone Door Ranger Station. Pull up a seat, sip coffee or hot cocoa, ask what rangers actually do all day and look out over one of the prettiest gorges on the Cumberland Plateau while the leaves turn.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Oct. 18, 2026, 8:30–9:30 a.m. Central.
• Where: Meet at the Savage Gulf North Trailhead by the Stone Door Ranger Station, 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs, TN 37305.
• How far: About 35–45 miles, roughly 1 hour, by way of Palmer and Altamont. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $8; complimentary coffee and hot cocoa for registered participants. Discounted souvenir mugs for sale, or bring your favorite mug. Park: 931-692-3887.
• Who’ll love it: Retirees, coffee-and-a-view folks, curious kids and anybody who’d rather start Sunday on a cliff top than a couch.
• Good to know: Central Time. Leave Dunlap by about 7:30 a.m. Cancellations need 24 hours’ notice for a refund. Bring a jacket — overlooks run chilly in the morning.

👉 Read more (Coffee With a Ranger — Tennessee State Parks)

🔥 Cook Shish Kabobs Over the Fire at Tims Ford’s Fireside Thursdays

Tims Ford State Park runs a weekly campfire cooking class called Fireside Thursdays, and the Oct. 22 menu is shish kabobs. Park staff show you how to cook over an open fire with hands-on demonstrations and outdoor cooking tips, and the park says it’s built for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Bring your curiosity and your appetite — and maybe pick up a trick or two for your next cookout at home.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thu., Oct. 22, 2026, 4:30–6 p.m. Central.
• Where: Shelter No. 2, Tims Ford State Park, 570 Tims Ford Drive, Winchester, TN 37398.
• How far: About 70–75 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes, by way of Jasper, Monteagle and Winchester. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $10; register online. Host: Kaylee Robinson, 931-418-0215.
• Who’ll love it: Grill masters, campers, scout families and anyone who thinks supper tastes better outdoors.
• Good to know: Central Time. The Oct. 15 apple fritter class sold out, so register early. You’ll head home around dark — take the mountain easy and watch for deer.

👉 Read more (Fireside Thursdays — Tennessee State Parks)

🍁 Wade 18 Creek Crossings to Window Cliffs for Fall Color

Window Cliffs State Natural Area, managed by Burgess Falls State Park, is one of the most unusual hikes in Middle Tennessee: a narrow, knife-edge ridge tucked inside a bend of Cane Creek. On Saturday, Oct. 24, a park ranger leads a Fall Foliage Window Cliffs Hike to admire the color. Fair warning, and it’s the fun part: the trail has 18 creek crossings, and because it’s a timed hike, you won’t have time to change shoes at each one. Plan on wet feet and big smiles.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Central.
• Where: Window Cliffs Parking Lot, 8400 Old Cane Creek Road, Baxter, TN 38544.
• How far: About 80–90 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes, by way of Spencer and Sparta. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $10; register online. Host: Taylor Semelroth, (615) 982-5989.
• Who’ll love it: Sure-footed hikers, teens who like a challenge, photographers and anybody who’s always wanted to walk a ridge with a creek on both sides.
• Good to know: Central Time. Wear shoes that can get wet and bring water and snacks. The park says the trail can be impassable in high water and will contact registrants if weather cancels it. Not a stroller or easy-walker hike.

👉 Read more (Fall Foliage Window Cliffs Hike — Tennessee State Parks)

🐟 Print a Fish Like an Old-Time Fisherman at Booker T. Washington State Park

Before cameras, Japanese fishermen recorded their best catches by inking the fish and pressing paper over it. It’s called Gyotaku (gee-oh-TAH-koo), and the prints show every scale and fin. On Saturday, Oct. 24, a ranger at Booker T. Washington State Park on Chickamauga Lake teaches the history of the art and lets you make your own fish print to take home. All materials are provided. The park’s own words: “Come ready to learn, create, and get a little messy!”

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, 3–4 p.m. Eastern (2–3 p.m. Dunlap time).
• Where: Booker T. Washington State Park fishing pier (park office: 5801 Champion Road, Chattanooga, TN 37416).
• How far: About 50 miles, roughly 1 hour, by way of Chattanooga. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not posted — check before you go. No registration was listed when we checked.
• Who’ll love it: Kids who like messy art, fishermen with a sense of humor, homeschool families and grandparents who want a hands-on hour with the grandkids.
• Good to know: Eastern Time — subtract an hour. Wear clothes that can take a little ink. Pair it with a walk along the lake.

👉 Read more (The Art of Fish Printing — Tennessee State Parks)

🧗 Try Rock Climbing for the First Time at Foster Falls

Ever watched climbers on the Foster Falls cliffs and wondered what it feels like? On Sunday, Nov. 8, rangers at Fiery Gizzard State Park host Intro to Rock Climbing for true beginners. You’ll learn the gear, safety, climbing commands and knot tying, then climb beginner-friendly routes with rangers watching over you. All climbing gear is provided — harnesses, helmets and climbing shoes in sizes 5 to 11. It’s our shortest drive of the batch.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Nov. 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Central.
• Where: Meet at the pavilion at the Foster Falls trailhead parking lot, 498 Foster Falls Road, Sequatchie, TN 37374.
• How far: About 35 miles, roughly 45 minutes, by way of Jasper and U.S. 41. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $50; register online. Host: Joshua Bovee, 931-924-2980.
• Who’ll love it: Teens, adventurous adults, first-timers and anybody who wants to say “I climbed Foster Falls” at Thanksgiving dinner.
• Good to know: Central Time. Bring water and a snack and wear comfortable outdoor clothes. Climbing is weather-dependent and may be canceled for rain or lightning, so check before you go. Clocks will have fallen back by then.

👉 Read more (Intro to Rock Climbing — Tennessee State Parks)

🌽 Make a Cherokee Cornhusk Doll at Red Clay State Historic Park

Red Clay State Historic Park, just above the Georgia line south of Cleveland, was the last seat of the Cherokee Nation’s government in the East before removal, and it’s a quiet, thoughtful place to visit. On Saturday, Nov. 14, Ranger Taylor shares the Cherokee origin of cornhusk dolls and helps you make one to take home. Stay for the free guided walking tour at 1 p.m. Eastern the same afternoon to see the replica structures, the Eternal Flame memorial and the Blue Hole Spring.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 14, 2026, 11 a.m.–noon Eastern (10–11 a.m. Dunlap time). Free tour 1–2 p.m. Eastern (noon–1 p.m. our time).
• Where: Red Clay State Historic Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW, Cleveland, TN 37311.
• How far: About 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes, by way of Chattanooga. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $3 per person for the doll program; you must sign up in advance. The walking tour is free. Park: (423) 889-3249.
• Who’ll love it: Crafty kids, history lovers, homeschool families and grandparents passing along old-time skills.
• Good to know: Eastern Time — subtract an hour. Pack a picnic; there’s a lot of history to soak up between programs.

👉 Read more (Cherokee Cornhusk Dolls — Tennessee State Parks)

🎄 Stroll a Forest of Decorated Christmas Trees at Knoxville’s Fantasy of Trees

For a notable trip a little later on, Knoxville’s Fantasy of Trees has been a holiday tradition since 1985. The Knoxville Convention Center fills with more than 350 designer-decorated trees, plus mantels, door designs, table centerpieces, an Adopt-a-Tree forest decorated by local schoolchildren, holiday vendors and family activities. Proceeds benefit Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. It’s a long drive, but it’s the kind of day that puts the whole family in the Christmas spirit.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Wed., Nov. 25–Sun., Nov. 29, 2026 (Thanksgiving week), Eastern. Listings show it opening at 9 a.m. Eastern Nov. 25 and closing at 4 p.m. Eastern Nov. 29; daily hours and Thanksgiving Day hours weren’t posted yet — check before you go.
• Where: Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902.
• How far: Past our usual line — about 115–125 miles, roughly 2–2½ hours, by way of Crossville and I-40. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Ticket prices not posted yet — check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Christmas decorators, families home for Thanksgiving, grandparents looking for gift ideas and anyone who loves a good cause.
• Good to know: Eastern Time — subtract an hour. Thanksgiving-week traffic is heavy; leave early and plan for downtown parking.

👉 Read more (Fantasy of Trees — Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Every Saturday (Oct. 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7), opens 4:30 a.m. (Central): Collinsville Trade Day, Collinsville, Ala. Free to browse; bring cash.
• Sun., Oct. 18, 8:30–9:30 a.m. (Central): Coffee With a Ranger, Savage Gulf. $8; register.
• Thu., Oct. 22, 4:30–6 p.m. (Central): Fireside Thursdays: Shish Kabobs, Tims Ford. $10; register.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Central): Fall Foliage Window Cliffs Hike, Burgess Falls. $10; register.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 3–4 p.m. (Eastern — subtract an hour): The Art of Fish Printing, Booker T. Washington State Park. Cost not posted.
• Sun., Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (Central): Intro to Rock Climbing, Foster Falls. $50; register.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 11 a.m.–noon (Eastern — subtract an hour): Cherokee Cornhusk Dolls, Red Clay. $3; sign up. Free tour at 1 p.m. Eastern.
• Wed.–Sun., Nov. 25–29 (Eastern — subtract an hour): Fantasy of Trees, Knoxville Convention Center. Hours and tickets to be confirmed.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Write the time zone on the fridge note: Chattanooga, Red Clay and Knoxville are Eastern (subtract an hour); Collinsville, Savage Gulf, Tims Ford, Burgess Falls and Foster Falls are Central like us.
• ✅ Fall back Saturday night, Oct. 31 — daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
• ✅ Register early for Coffee With a Ranger, Fireside Thursdays, the Window Cliffs hike, rock climbing and the cornhusk dolls — state park programs fill up.
• ✅ Pack shoes that can get wet for Window Cliffs, a light jacket for the overlook and the campfire, and cash for Trade Day.
• ✅ Call ahead for fish printing costs and check Fantasy of Trees hours and tickets the week before.
• ✅ Fill up and grab a snack or picnic fixings before you leave the Valley. Find local stops on Dunlap.Directory.

Remember: check the clock, check the weather, and pick the outing that fits your crew. A good day trip gets you home tired and happy, not worn out.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are these events already on earlier Hundred-Mile Happenings lists?

No. We keep a covered-events list and skip anything we’ve already featured. All eight are new for article #34. We’ve listed other programs at Savage Gulf, Tims Ford, Burgess Falls, Booker T. Washington and Fiery Gizzard before (like the Stone Door Sunset hike and Coffee on the Caney at Rock Island), but these specific programs are separate and new to the list.

Which ones are free or nearly free?

Collinsville Trade Day is free to browse, per listings (bring cash for a possible parking fee and for shopping). Red Clay’s walking tour is free, and the cornhusk doll program is $3. Coffee With a Ranger is $8, Fireside Thursdays and the Window Cliffs hike are $10 each, and Intro to Rock Climbing is $50 with all gear provided. Fish printing and Fantasy of Trees hadn’t posted costs when we checked.

Which ones are best for young kids?

Fish printing and the cornhusk dolls are the clearest little-kid picks — short, hands-on and take-home. Coffee With a Ranger has hot cocoa and a short paved walk. Fantasy of Trees is a great family stroll. The Window Cliffs hike and rock climbing are better for older kids, teens and sure-footed adults. Trade Day works for any age with a stroller or wagon.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Dunlap and Sequatchie County are on Central. So are Collinsville (Alabama), Savage Gulf, Tims Ford, Burgess Falls and Foster Falls — no clock math. Chattanooga, Red Clay (Bradley County) and Knoxville are Eastern, one hour ahead, so subtract an hour from posted times for fish printing, the cornhusk dolls and Fantasy of Trees.

How early do I really need to get to Trade Day?

The gates open at 4:30 a.m. Central, but you don’t have to be there in the dark. Shoppers say 7 to 11 a.m. is the sweet spot, and many vendors pack up by late morning. Leaving Dunlap around 5 a.m. puts you there for the best of it.

How do you pick these events?

We look for one-of-a-kind, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap, and we check each one against the organizer’s own page or a trusted listing whenever we can. We keep a list so we never repeat an event. If you know a hidden gem, tell us at Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• Collinsville Trade Day
• Collinsville Trade Day — Visit Lookout Mountain
• Coffee With a Ranger — Tennessee State Parks
• Savage Gulf State Park
• Fireside Thursdays: Shish Kabobs — Tennessee State Parks
• Tims Ford State Park
• Fall Foliage Window Cliffs Hike — Tennessee State Parks
• Burgess Falls State Park and Window Cliffs
• The Art of Fish Printing — Tennessee State Parks
• Booker T. Washington State Park
• Intro to Rock Climbing at Foster Falls — Tennessee State Parks
• Cherokee Cornhusk Dolls — Tennessee State Parks
• Tour of Red Clay State Historic Park — Tennessee State Parks
• Fantasy of Trees — Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital
• National Weather Service Morristown: Valley forecast
• Dunlap.Directory: Local businesses for gas, food and supplies

🍂 Slow Down and Go See Something

You don’t need a big vacation to make a memory. A dawn walk through a trade day, a cup of coffee on a cliff-top overlook, a kabob sizzling over a campfire, a wet-footed hike to a ridge, a fish print on the fridge, a first climb up a sandstone wall, a cornhusk doll made by hand and a forest of Christmas trees are all within a drive of the Valley. Grab a buddy, check the clock and the weather, and go.

Keep exploring, keep it easy and keep reading. Read Dunlap.Today for more Hundred-Mile Happenings, and find the Valley businesses that’ll fuel your trip on Dunlap.Directory.