🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Lantern Hikes at Standing Stone, a Ranger's Fly-Fishing Class, Marigolds at Huntsville's Día de los Muertos, a Pup Dash at Reflection Riding, a Free Tour of Red Clay, Crystal Digging at Cathedral Caverns and a Hike to Monte Sano's Stone Cuts

Or: Carry a Lantern to an Old Camp in the Woods, Learn to Cast a Fly Rod, See a Downtown Full of Marigolds, Run a Trail With Your Dog, Walk the Cherokee Council Grounds, Dig for Crystals You Get to Keep and Squeeze Between the Rocks on Monte Sano — Seven New Day Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. Pour that second cup. Here’s batch number fifty-six 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 time we point the truck north to the Upper Cumberland as well as south and west. On Saturday, Oct. 24, a ranger at Edgar Evins State Park teaches a small fly-fishing class in the morning, and that same evening a ranger at Standing Stone State Park leads a lantern hike to an old camp in the woods (with a second, mountain-legends lantern hike on Friday, Oct. 30). On Sunday and Monday, Nov. 1–2, downtown Huntsville holds its first Día de los Muertos celebration, full of marigolds, music and dancers. On Saturday, Nov. 7, Reflection Riding in Chattanooga runs a trail race for you and your dog. On Saturday, Nov. 14, you can take a free ranger tour of Red Clay, the last Cherokee council grounds before the Trail of Tears, or let the kids dig for crystals at Cathedral Caverns. And on Saturday, Nov. 21, a guide leads a hike to the Stone Cuts on Monte Sano.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sat., Oct. 24, 9–11 a.m. (Central — our time): Introduction to Fly Fishing, Edgar Evins State Park, Silver Point. $15; only 8 spots.
• Sat., Oct. 24, and Fri., Oct. 30, 6–8 p.m. (Central — our time): Lantern hikes with a ranger, Standing Stone State Park, Hilham. $10; only 10 spots each.
• Sun., Nov. 1, and Mon., Nov. 2 (Central — our time): Día de los Muertos Huntsville, Lumberyard, downtown Huntsville. $18 through Oct. 25, $20 after; kids 12 and under free.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Eastern (9 a.m.–NOON our time): Tails, Trails and Ales dog-and-owner trail races, Reflection Riding, Chattanooga. Entry fee: check before you go.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 1 p.m. Eastern (NOON our time): Tour of Red Clay State Historic Park, Cleveland, Tenn. Free.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 1:30 p.m. (Central — our time): Junior Rangers Discover Geology, Cathedral Caverns State Park, Woodville, Ala. $12.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. (Central — our time): Stone Cuts Guided Hike, Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville. $8.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Chattanooga and Cleveland are Eastern. The Upper Cumberland parks and Alabama are Central, same as us. Reflection Riding (Chattanooga) and Red Clay (near Cleveland) run one hour ahead, so subtract an hour: the dog races at 10 a.m. Eastern start at 9 a.m. our time, and the Red Clay tour at 1 p.m. Eastern is NOON our time. Edgar Evins, Standing Stone, Huntsville and Woodville are on Central, so their times are our times. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 — set the clocks back Saturday night. The one-hour difference with Chattanooga stays the same after the switch.

🏮 Carry a Lantern to an Old Camp in the Woods at Standing Stone

Up in Overton County, Standing Stone State Park has an old camp tucked back in the woods called ‘Ol Camp Widjiwagan, and Ranger Jonathan Williams walks small groups out to it after dark by lantern light, telling the camp’s history along the way. It’s two chances: a regular lantern hike on Saturday, Oct. 24, and a Cryptid Folklore Lantern Hike on Friday, Oct. 30, when the ranger also talks about the creatures said to roam these hills and other old legends. Think campfire story, not haunted house.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, 6–8 p.m. (‘Ol Camp Widjiwagan Lantern Hike) and Fri., Oct. 30, 2026, 6–8 p.m. (Cryptid Folklore Lantern Hike). Central Time — our time.
• Where: Meet at the Standing Stone State Park office, 1674 Standing Stone Park Hwy., Hilham, TN 38568. Then you carpool about 5 miles to the trailhead in your own car or with another guest; the park doesn’t run a shuttle. Ranger: (931) 310-1509.
• How far: About 90 miles, roughly 2 hours, north through the Upper Cumberland. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $10 per person. Registration is required, and each hike is limited to 10 people, so sign up soon.
• Who’ll love it: Families with older kids, history buffs, tall-tale lovers and anybody who’s never walked the woods by lantern light.
• Good to know: The hike is only about a mile round trip, but it has some up-and-down and loose ground, so wear sturdy shoes. Battery lanterns are provided (you may bring your own). Dress for changeable weather. You’ll get back to Dunlap around 10 p.m. on dark roads, so bring a co-pilot.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — ‘Ol Camp Widjiwagan Lantern Guided Hike)
👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Cryptid Folklore Lantern Guided Hike)

🎣 Learn to Cast a Fly Rod With a Ranger at Edgar Evins

Ever watched somebody fly-fish and thought it looked like poetry with a fishing line? Here’s your chance to try. Edgar Evins State Park, on the bluffs above Center Hill Lake, offers a small, beginner-friendly Introduction to Fly Fishing. The ranger covers the equipment, the flies and how to cast — and fly rods are provided, so you don’t need to own a thing.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, 9–11 a.m. Central Time — our time.
• Where: Edgar Evins State Park, 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Rd., Silver Point, TN 38582. Meet at the peninsula by the courtesy dock. Instructor: (615) 477-1234.
• How far: About 85 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. To be there by 9, leave Dunlap by about 7 a.m. — easy for us early risers. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $15, and the class is limited to 8 people. Register on the Tennessee State Parks page.
• Who’ll love it: Grandpas and grandkids, retirees looking for a new hobby, and anybody who’s fished with a cane pole and wondered about the fancy stuff.
• Good to know: Bring a hat, sunglasses and a jacket for a cool morning by the water. Make a day of it: Standing Stone’s lantern hike is that same evening, farther north in the same part of the state. Check your map for the drive between the two.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Introduction to Fly Fishing)

🌼 See a Downtown Full of Marigolds at Huntsville’s First Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead — is a Mexican tradition, and it’s a gentle one: families remember the people they’ve loved and lost with bright marigolds, candles, favorite foods and music. Huntsville is throwing its first big, walk-through celebration of it, with live music, folklórico dancers, authentic Mexican food and a “passport” you carry from stop to stop. At the heart of it are the ofrendas, colorful altars honoring children, adults and even the pets we’ve loved. Ticket holders can submit a photo of a loved one online, free, or bring one with you.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Nov. 1, and Mon., Nov. 2, 2026. Listings show it opening at noon Sunday and running to 9 p.m. Monday; check before you go for each day’s exact hours. Central Time — our time.
• Where: A.M. Booth’s Lumberyard, 108 Microwave Dave Way, Huntsville, AL 35801.
• How far: About 105 miles, roughly 2 hours, by way of Jasper, Scottsboro and U.S. 72. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $18 through Sunday, Oct. 25; $20 after that and at the door. Kids 12 and under are free.
• Who’ll love it: Families, music and dance lovers, Spanish students, and anybody who’d like a colorful, peaceful way to remember someone special.
• Good to know: Sunday, Nov. 1, is the morning the clocks fall back, so double-check your car clock before you leave. Buy tickets by Oct. 25 to save $2 each.

👉 Read more (Choose Huntsville — Día de los Muertos Huntsville)
👉 Tickets (Día de los Muertos Huntsville)

🐾 Run (or Stroll) a Trail With Your Dog at Reflection Riding

Here’s one for the dog people. Tails, Trails and Ales is a trail-race day made for you and your four-legged best friend at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Pick a 1-mile Pup Dash, a 5K or a 10K, and go side by side with your dog. Race for time or just stroll — timed and untimed options are offered. Afterward there’s food, pet-friendly vendors and local craft beer for the grown-ups. Every human finisher gets race swag, and every pup gets a bandana.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Eastern. Subtract an hour: that’s 9 a.m. to NOON OUR time.
• Where: Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37419. (423) 821-1160.
• How far: About 35 miles, roughly 1 hour, south toward Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: The entry fee isn’t posted on the center’s page; you register through Bad Beard Events from the event page. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Dog owners, runners and walkers, and families who want a morning outdoors with the whole pack.
• Good to know: One dog per person, and 6-foot leashes are required. There are dog-friendly water stops and a veterinarian and first aid on site. Everyone must sign a liability waiver. Proceeds benefit Reflection Riding.

👉 Read more (Reflection Riding — Tails, Trails and Ales)

🔥 Walk the Cherokee Council Grounds on a Free Ranger Tour of Red Clay

Just south of Cleveland, almost on the Georgia line, Red Clay State Historic Park keeps one of the most important places in Tennessee history. In the 1830s, this was where the Cherokee Nation held its councils — the last seat of Cherokee government in the East before the Trail of Tears. On this one-hour guided walking tour, Ranger Taylor Young shares the history and culture of the Cherokee at Red Clay as you walk past the replica council structures, the Eternal Flame Memorial and the Blue Hole Spring, which the park calls a sacred spring. It’s quiet, respectful and moving.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 14, 2026, 1–2 p.m. Eastern. Subtract an hour: that’s NOON to 1 p.m. OUR time.
• Where: Meet on the Visitor Center porch, Red Clay State Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Rd. SW, Cleveland, TN 37311. Ranger: (423) 889-3249.
• How far: About 60 miles, roughly 1½ hours, through Chattanooga and past Collegedale. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. The park lists a “Register for Event” button, so sign up ahead.
• Who’ll love it: History lovers, homeschool families, grandparents with grandkids, and anybody who wants to understand our corner of Tennessee a little better.
• Good to know: It’s a walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes. Schedules can change, so call the park the week before.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Tour of Red Clay State Historic Park)

💎 Dig for Crystals You Get to Keep at Cathedral Caverns

Cathedral Caverns State Park, near Woodville, Ala., is famous for its enormous cave mouth — and on this Saturday its naturalist turns the patio into a little rock school. Junior Rangers Discover Geology teaches kids about the many kinds of rocks and crystals and how to tell them apart, then everybody goes gem mining, sifting through “the sands of mystery” for crystals they get to keep. Kids also learn what it means to be a Junior Ranger. It’s a fine way to start a rock collection.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 14, 2026, 1:30 p.m. Central Time — our time.
• Where: Cathedral Caverns State Park, Woodville, Ala. Meet at the Gift Shop Patio. Host: (256) 609-7482.
• How far: About 80–85 miles, roughly 1¾ hours, by way of Jasper, Scottsboro and U.S. 72. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $12 program fee. Register on the Alabama State Parks page; tickets were still available when we checked.
• Who’ll love it: Rock-pocket kids (you know the ones), young Junior Rangers and the grandparents who drive them.
• Good to know: Want to see inside the cave, too? The guided cave tour is a separate ticket with its own price and times, so check before you go. Note: Red Clay’s tour is the same day, in the opposite direction, so pick one.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — Junior Rangers Discover Geology)

🪨 Hike to the Stone Cuts on Monte Sano With a Guide

High above Huntsville, Monte Sano State Park has a trail spot locals love called the Stone Cuts, where the path winds through narrow passages between big limestone rocks. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret, and it’s easier and more fun with someone who knows the way. On Saturday, Nov. 21, park staff lead a Stone Cuts Guided Hike, offered twice that day.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Central Time — our time. (There’s another one Sun., Dec. 20, at 11 a.m.)
• Where: Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville, Ala. The meeting spot isn’t listed on the main page — check your registration or call the park before you go.
• How far: About 105 miles, roughly 2¼ hours, by way of Jasper, Scottsboro and U.S. 72. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $8 per person; register on the Alabama State Parks page (about 20 spots per hike when we checked). Monte Sano also charges a day-use fee (about $5 adults, $2 seniors and kids); check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Hikers, photographers, scout troops and families with kids who like to scramble.
• Good to know: The park doesn’t post the hike’s length or difficulty, so ask when you register. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. The 10 a.m. hike means leaving Dunlap around 7:30 a.m.; the 2 p.m. hike gets you home before dark.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — Stone Cuts Guided Hike)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Sat., Oct. 24, 9–11 a.m. (Central — our time): Introduction to Fly Fishing, Edgar Evins. $15; 8 spots.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 6–8 p.m. (Central — our time): ‘Ol Camp Widjiwagan Lantern Hike, Standing Stone. $10; 10 spots.
• Sun., Oct. 25: Last day for $18 Día de los Muertos tickets.
• Fri., Oct. 30, 6–8 p.m. (Central — our time): Cryptid Folklore Lantern Hike, Standing Stone. $10; 10 spots.
• Sat. night, Oct. 31: Set the clocks back one hour. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
• Sun., Nov. 1, and Mon., Nov. 2 (Central — our time): Día de los Muertos Huntsville, Lumberyard. Kids 12 and under free.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–NOON OUR time (10–1 Eastern): Tails, Trails and Ales, Reflection Riding.
• Sat., Nov. 14, NOON OUR time (1 p.m. Eastern): Tour of Red Clay State Historic Park. Free.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 1:30 p.m. (Central — our time): Junior Rangers Discover Geology, Cathedral Caverns. $12.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. (Central — our time): Stone Cuts Guided Hike, Monte Sano. $8.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Write the time zone on the fridge note: Chattanooga and Cleveland are Eastern — subtract an hour. The Upper Cumberland parks and Alabama are Central — our time.
• ✅ Sign up this week for the fly-fishing class and the lantern hikes. With only 8 and 10 spots, they’ll fill fast.
• ✅ Call ahead on details that weren’t posted: the Tails, Trails and Ales entry fee, the Stone Cuts meeting spot and trail length, and Día de los Muertos daily hours.
• ✅ The Standing Stone, Huntsville and Monte Sano trips are about 2 hours each way, and the lantern hikes end after dark. Bring a co-pilot and a flashlight.
• ✅ For the lantern and Stone Cuts hikes, pack sturdy shoes, water and a jacket. For the dog race, a 6-foot leash and a water bowl.
• ✅ Programs can change with the weather. Check the event page the morning you go.
• ✅ Fill up and grab a snack 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 seven outings are new for article #56. We’ve featured other programs at some of the same places, like Owl Odyssey at Reflection Riding, cornhusk dolls at Red Clay, a fall art float at Standing Stone, and bats and leaf lanterns at Cathedral Caverns, but these are separate events.

Which ones are free?

The Red Clay tour is free. The Stone Cuts hike is $8 (plus Monte Sano’s day-use fee), the lantern hikes are $10, Junior Rangers Discover Geology is $12 and the fly-fishing class is $15. Día de los Muertos is $18 through Oct. 25 and $20 after, with kids 12 and under free. Tails, Trails and Ales doesn’t post its entry fee on the center’s page, so check before you go.

Which ones are best for young kids?

Junior Rangers Discover Geology is made for them, and kids 12 and under get into Día de los Muertos free. The 1-mile Pup Dash is a good fit for a family with a calm dog. The lantern hikes and the Stone Cuts hike suit older kids who can handle uneven ground.

Which ones are easiest if I don’t walk far?

The fly-fishing class, the crystal digging and Día de los Muertos involve little or no hiking. The Red Clay tour is an hour of walking at an easy pace. The lantern hikes are about a mile with some up-and-down and loose ground, and the park hasn’t posted the Stone Cuts hike’s length, so ask before you sign up.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Dunlap and Sequatchie County are on Central. Edgar Evins, Standing Stone, Huntsville and Woodville, Ala., are Central too. Reflection Riding in Chattanooga and Red Clay near Cleveland are on Eastern time, one hour ahead, so the dog races at 10 a.m. Eastern start at 9 a.m. our time, and the Red Clay tour at 1 p.m. Eastern is noon our time. That one-hour gap stays the same after the clocks fall back on Nov. 1.

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. When a detail isn’t posted, we say so. We keep a list so we never repeat an event. If you know a hidden gem, tell us at Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• Tennessee State Parks — ‘Ol Camp Widjiwagan Lantern Guided Hike, Standing Stone
• Tennessee State Parks — Cryptid Folklore Lantern Guided Hike, Standing Stone
• Tennessee State Parks — Introduction to Fly Fishing, Edgar Evins
• Choose Huntsville — Día de los Muertos Huntsville
• Reflection Riding — Tails, Trails and Ales
• Tennessee State Parks — Tour of Red Clay State Historic Park
• Alabama State Parks — Junior Rangers Discover Geology, Cathedral Caverns
• Alabama State Parks — Stone Cuts Guided Hike, Monte Sano
• Alabama State Parks — Monte Sano entrance fees
• 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 trip to make a good memory. A lantern swinging on a dark trail, the first good cast of a fly line, a table of marigolds for someone you miss, a dog wearing a brand-new bandana, a cool spring where the Cherokee once gathered, a crystal in a child’s palm and a narrow path between the rocks 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.