🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Press Nature Into a Clay Ornament at Tims Ford, Hike After Dark for Campfire Cobbler at Red Clay, Make a Depression-Era Yarn Doll in Crossville, Try Archery at Cummins Falls, Knot a Survival Bracelet at Harrison Bay, Hear a Tuba Christmas Choir in Rome, Test Your Aim at Historic Tomahawk Throwing and Walk Fiery Gizzard on the Winter Solstice

Or: Eight New Outings — a Clay Nature Ornament, a Night Hike With Cobbler, a Yarn Doll From the 1930s, Beginner Archery, a Paracord Bracelet, a Tuba Christmas Concert, Tomahawk Throwing and a Solstice Walk

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Sunday, November 8, 2026

Morning, neighbor. This batch is all new to our lists, and it leans toward things you can make with your hands and a couple of walks you will remember. This Friday, Nov. 13, Tims Ford’s Nature Center helps you press leaves and other outdoor finds into a little air-dry clay ornament. Next Saturday, Nov. 21, a Red Clay ranger leads a short night hike that ends with campfire cobbler. On Sunday, Nov. 22, Cumberland Mountain State Park teaches the old-time yarn doll and the Depression-era story behind it. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, beginners can try archery at Cummins Falls. On Monday, Nov. 30, Harrison Bay shows you how to knot a paracord survival bracelet. On Saturday, Dec. 12, you can hear a patio full of tubas at Rome’s Merry TubaChristmas or test your aim at historic tomahawk throwing back at Cummins Falls. And on Monday, Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year, Ranger Ben leads a free Winter Solstice hike at Fiery Gizzard, close to home. What it means for you: most of these are $2 to $5 or free, nearly all need a quick sign-up, and you’ll want to watch the clock, because Rome is on Eastern time and two park pages may be posted on a Central clock even though the parks themselves sit in Eastern counties.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Fri., Nov. 13, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Central (our time): Nature Ornaments, Tims Ford State Park Nature Center, Winchester. $2; register.
• Sat., Nov. 21, listed 6:30–8 p.m.: Night Hike and Campfire Cobbler, Red Clay State Historic Park, Cleveland. $5; register. (Park is Eastern; call to confirm the clock.)
• Sun., Nov. 22, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Central (our time): Learn to Make Yarn Dolls!, Cumberland Mountain State Park Recreation Lodge, Crossville. $2; register.
• Sat., Nov. 28, noon–1 p.m. Central (our time): Introduction to Archery, Cummins Falls State Park, near Cookeville. $5; ages 8+; register.
• Mon., Nov. 30, listed 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Survival Bracelet Making, Harrison Bay State Park Interpretive Center, Harrison. $5; register. (Park is Eastern; call to confirm the clock.)
• Sat., Dec. 12, 1 p.m. (Eastern = noon Central): Merry TubaChristmas, Courtyard Marriott Patio, Rome, Ga. No ticket price listed; check before you go.
• Sat., Dec. 12, 11 a.m.–noon Central (our time): Axe Throwing (historic tomahawk throwing), Cummins Falls State Park. $5; ages 10+; register.
• Mon., Dec. 21, 12:30–3:30 p.m. Central (our time): Winter Solstice Hike, Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead, Tracy City. Free; register by the day before.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: this list mixes Eastern and Central time, and two park pages need a phone call. Tims Ford, Cumberland Mountain, Cummins Falls and Fiery Gizzard are on Central, same as us. Rome, Ga., is on Eastern, so subtract an hour: the tuba concert at 1 p.m. Eastern is noon our time. Red Clay and Harrison Bay sit in Eastern counties, but Tennessee State Parks often posts program times on a Central clock. The pages list the night hike at 6:30 p.m. and the bracelet class at 3:30 p.m. Call 423-478-0339 before the Red Clay hike and the Harrison Bay park office at 423-344-6214 before the bracelet class, so you aren’t an hour early or late. It’s always smart to check before you go.

🌿 Press Leaves Into Clay and Take Home a Nature Ornament

If the leftover leaves in the yard have you thinking about Christmas already, Tims Ford has a gentle Friday afternoon for that. Park staff will help you collect materials outside and press them into air-dry clay so the pattern becomes a nature-inspired ornament you can hang later. All the materials are provided; the small fee covers the supplies.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central (our time).
• Where: Nature Center, Tims Ford State Park, 570 Tims Ford Drive, Winchester, TN 37398.
• How far: About 75–85 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 to 45 minutes by way of Monteagle and Interstate 24. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $2 per person, or $5 if you add a donation when you register.
• Who’ll love it: Grandparents looking for a handmade gift, homeschool families and anyone who likes a quiet craft with a walk outdoors built in.
• Good to know: Register ahead. Questions go to Shelby Smith at 931-418-0215.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Nature Ornaments)

🔥 Follow a Short Night Path to Campfire Cobbler at Red Clay

Here’s an evening that feels like a story you’ll tell later. Ranger Logan leads a short half-mile hike down the Blue Hole Trail, talking about nocturnal animals along the way, then finishes at the fire ring with cobbler cooked over the campfire. The trail is uneven and the light will be low, so this is a careful walk, not a race.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, listed 6:30 to 8 p.m. Red Clay is in Bradley County, which is on Eastern time. Tennessee State Parks often posts times on a Central clock, so call 423-478-0339 to confirm whether to leave Dunlap for a 6:30 our-time start or a 5:30 our-time start.
• Where: Meet at the Gazebo, Red Clay State Historic Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW, Cleveland, TN 37311.
• How far: About 70–80 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 to 30 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $5.
• Who’ll love it: Families who like a short hike, storytellers and anyone who would rather end a walk with something warm than with another look at the parking lot.
• Good to know: Register ahead. Wear closed-toe shoes and dress for a November night. Bring a light and a camp chair for after the hike.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Night Hike and Campfire Cobbler)

🧶 Learn the Great Depression Story Behind a Simple Yarn Doll

A ball of yarn and a little history can go a long way. Interpretive Ranger Abby, at Cumberland Mountain’s Recreation Lodge, will share the story of the yarn doll, how families made them during the Great Depression, and then help you make one of your own. It’s a short Sunday program, close enough that you can still be home before supper.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Central (our time).
• Where: Recreation Lodge, Cumberland Mountain State Park, 24 Office Dr., Crossville, TN 38555.
• How far: About 50–55 miles, roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes up U.S. 127. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $2.
• Who’ll love it: Crafters, grandparents who remember homemade toys, and kids who like making something they can carry home.
• Good to know: Register ahead. Adult supervision is required for ages 12 and under. Questions: 931-484-6138. You can also look up the park on Dunlap.Directory.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Learn to Make Yarn Dolls!)

🏹 Learn Stance, Aim and Release at a Beginner Archery Hour

You don’t have to arrive knowing which end of the bow is which. Cummins Falls staff will share a little history of archery as it relates to the park, give a demonstration, then help you practice the basics of stance, aiming and releasing. The listing calls it perfect for beginners.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, noon to 1 p.m. Central (our time).
• Where: Meet outside the Visitor Center, Cummins Falls State Park, 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501.
• How far: About 90–100 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by way of Spencer and Sparta or Pikeville and Crossville. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $5, with optional $10 and $20 donation levels when you register.
• Who’ll love it: Curious beginners, older kids and anyone who would rather learn a skill than sit through another afternoon of leftover turkey.
• Good to know: Register ahead. You must be at least 8 years old to take part. Questions: 931-268-7223.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Introduction to Archery)

🪢 Tie Your Own Paracord Survival Bracelet at Harrison Bay

A survival bracelet is one of those handy little things that looks like jewelry until you need a length of cord. At Harrison Bay, a ranger meets you at the Interpretive Center to show how to make a paracord survival bracelet. It’s a weekday afternoon program, close enough for an after-lunch drive from the valley.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, listed 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Harrison Bay is in Hamilton County, which is on Eastern time. Tennessee State Parks often posts times on a Central clock, so call the park office at 423-344-6214 to confirm whether to arrive at 3:30 our time or 2:30 our time.
• Where: Interpretive Center, Harrison Bay State Park, 8411 Harrison Bay Road, Harrison, TN 37341.
• How far: About 40–50 miles, roughly 1 hour down the valley toward Harrison. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $5.
• Who’ll love it: Scouts, hikers and anyone who likes leaving with something useful on their wrist.
• Good to know: Registration is required. The listing says to register and pay at the A-frame or online. The park is also listed on Dunlap.Directory.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Survival Bracelet Making)

🎺 Hear a Patio Full of Tubas and Euphoniums in Downtown Rome

If you’ve never heard Christmas carols come rolling out of a whole choir of tubas and euphoniums, Rome has a patio waiting for you. Visit Rome lists Merry TubaChristmas as a public concert of traditional Christmas music, part of a nationwide tradition started by Dr. Harvey G. Phillips to honor his teacher, the tubist William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902. Players register and rehearse in the morning; the concert itself is in the early afternoon.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, concert at 1 p.m. Eastern (noon Central). Participants begin registering and rehearsing at 10 a.m. Eastern (9 a.m. our time).
• Where: Courtyard Marriott Patio, 300 West 3rd Street SW, Rome, GA 30165.
• How far: About 85–95 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: The listings we checked do not state a ticket price for listeners, so check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Band-program families, brass players and anyone who likes a slightly unusual Christmas concert.
• Good to know: Dress for sitting outside in mid-December. Visit Rome’s page lists 800-444-1834 with its welcome-center information if you want to ask about seating or cost.

👉 Read more (Georgia’s Rome — Merry TubaChristmas 2026)

🪓 Try Historic Tomahawk Throwing at Cummins Falls

That same Saturday, if Rome is the wrong direction, Cummins Falls offers something you don’t see every weekend: a guided hour of historic tomahawk throwing. Park interpreters cover safety, grip, stance, distance and release, then let you try your aim in a friendly, supervised competition. They also talk about how tomahawks were used as both tool and weapon on the early frontier.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 11 a.m. to noon Central (our time).
• Where: Cummins Falls State Park, 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501.
• How far: About 90–100 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $5.
• Who’ll love it: History buffs, older kids and anyone who likes learning a skill with a staff member standing close by.
• Good to know: Register ahead; spots are limited. The listing says ages 10 and older, and that children may need an adult with them — check during registration. Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes, and bring water. This is the opposite direction from the Rome tuba concert, so pick one. Questions: 931-268-7223.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Axe Throwing)

🌅 Walk Fiery Gizzard With a Ranger on the Shortest Day of the Year

The winter solstice is simply the shortest stretch of daylight we get, and Ranger Ben marks it with a walk close to home. You’ll meet him at the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead at Grundy Forest and hike about 2 miles over uneven ground. The listing asks you to dress for the weather and to register a day ahead, because they cannot take walk-ups.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Monday, Dec. 21, 2026, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central (our time). The park page lists the start as 12:30 p.m. CST.
• Where: Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead at Grundy Forest, 131 Fiery Gizzard Rd., Tracy City, TN 37387.
• How far: About 25–35 miles, roughly 45 minutes to an hour by way of Whitwell and up the mountain. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. Optional donation amounts are listed when you register.
• Who’ll love it: Neighbors who want a close-to-home walk and anyone who likes marking the turn toward longer days.
• Good to know: Registration is required and closes 24 hours before the hike. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for December. Questions: 931-383-1664.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Winter Solstice Hike)

Before you head out, a quick checklist:

• 🕰️ Mind the time zones. Tims Ford, Cumberland Mountain, Cummins Falls and Fiery Gizzard are Central, like us. Rome is Eastern (subtract one hour). Red Clay and Harrison Bay sit in Eastern counties, but the park listings may use a Central clock — call before you go.
• 🌿 Fri., Nov. 13: Nature Ornaments at Tims Ford, 2:30 p.m. our time. Register; $2.
• 🔥 Sat., Nov. 21: Night hike and cobbler at Red Clay, listed 6:30 p.m. Bring a light and a camp chair. Call 423-478-0339 about the clock.
• 🧶 Sun., Nov. 22: Yarn dolls in Crossville, 1:30 p.m. our time. Kids 12 and under need an adult.
• 🏹 Sat., Nov. 28: Beginner archery at Cummins Falls, noon our time. Ages 8 and older.
• 🪢 Mon., Nov. 30: Survival bracelet at Harrison Bay, listed 3:30 p.m. Call 423-344-6214 about the clock.
• 🎺 Sat., Dec. 12: TubaChristmas in Rome at 1 p.m. Eastern (noon ours), or tomahawk throwing at Cummins Falls at 11 a.m. our time. They’re in opposite directions, so pick one.
• 🌅 Mon., Dec. 21: Winter Solstice hike at Fiery Gizzard, 12:30 p.m. our time. Register by Sunday, Dec. 20.
• ⛽ Fill up before the longer drives to Winchester, Cookeville and Rome. Need a local mechanic, tire shop, feed store or gas stop? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these is free?

The Winter Solstice hike at Fiery Gizzard is listed as a free program, with optional donations when you register. The yarn-doll class and the nature-ornament workshop are $2. The Red Clay night hike, beginner archery, survival bracelet and tomahawk throwing are $5 each (archery also lists higher donation tiers). The TubaChristmas listings we checked do not state a ticket price, so check before you go.

Which one is closest to Dunlap?

The Winter Solstice hike at Fiery Gizzard’s North Trailhead, about 25–35 miles away. Harrison Bay is about 40–50 miles, and Cumberland Mountain in Crossville is about 50–55 miles. Cummins Falls and Rome are the farthest, about 85–100 miles.

Do any of these need a sign-up ahead?

Yes. Register for the nature ornaments, the Red Clay night hike, the yarn-doll class, beginner archery, the survival bracelet (at the A-frame or online), tomahawk throwing and the Winter Solstice hike. The solstice hike’s registration closes 24 hours beforehand. The tuba concert does not describe a listener sign-up on the pages we checked; players register and rehearse at 10 a.m. Eastern.

Which are best with younger kids?

The nature-ornament workshop and the yarn-doll class are the gentlest for families. Yarn dolls require an adult with anyone 12 or under. Archery is for ages 8 and older. Tomahawk throwing is listed for ages 10 and older. The Red Clay night hike is only half a mile, but it is uneven and dark, so it is better for kids who are steady on their feet and willing to use a light.

Why are some on Central time and some on Eastern?

Franklin, Cumberland, Jackson and Grundy counties — Tims Ford, Crossville, Cummins Falls and Fiery Gizzard — are on Central time, like Sequatchie County. Bradley and Hamilton counties, and Rome, Ga., are on Eastern time. Tennessee State Parks listings for Red Clay and Harrison Bay may follow a Central clock even though those parks sit in Eastern counties, which is why we ask you to call those two. When in doubt, look for “ET” or “CT” on the event page, or phone the park.

Can I pair any of these in one trip?

Not the Dec. 12 pair: the Rome concert and the Cummins Falls tomahawk class sit in opposite directions. The Nov. 21 night hike is an evening program, so it does not pair easily with a far-off morning craft. The Sunday yarn-doll class in Crossville stands well on its own as a shorter drive.

Why are some details missing?

I only list what an official page or reliable local listing shows. The TubaChristmas pages do not state a listener ticket price, and the Red Clay and Harrison Bay listings do not spell out whether their posted times are Eastern or Central. I’ve marked anything unclear check before you go.

🔗 Other Resources

• Tennessee State Parks — Nature Ornaments at Tims Ford
• Tennessee State Parks — Night Hike and Campfire Cobbler at Red Clay
• Tennessee State Parks — Learn to Make Yarn Dolls! at Cumberland Mountain
• Tennessee State Parks — Introduction to Archery at Cummins Falls
• Tennessee State Parks — Survival Bracelet Making at Harrison Bay
• Georgia’s Rome — Merry TubaChristmas 2026
• Tennessee State Parks — Axe Throwing at Cummins Falls
• Tennessee State Parks — Winter Solstice Hike at Fiery Gizzard
• Dunlap.Directory — Cumberland Mountain State Park
• Dunlap.Directory — Harrison Bay State Park
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t have to do all eight. If you want something close to home, save the date for the Winter Solstice hike at Fiery Gizzard on Monday, Dec. 21, and sign up the day before. If you want a Friday afternoon with your hands busy, register for the nature ornaments at Tims Ford this Friday. And if you want an evening that feels a little magical, call Red Clay about the clock and follow Ranger Logan to that campfire cobbler on Nov. 21. Jot down three things: Rome is an hour ahead of us; Tims Ford, Crossville, Cummins Falls and Fiery Gizzard are on our time; call about the posted times at Red Clay and Harrison Bay; and check before you go. And for more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.