Living near the park and the rivers

Homes Near Old Stone Fort in Manchester

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is the best known landmark in Manchester, and buyers often ask me what it is like to live close to it. This guide covers what the park is, where it sits, what the City of Manchester has nearby and what to check on any home near the Duck and Little Duck rivers. I describe the area in general terms rather than naming individual streets or subdivisions, because the right home depends on your needs.

What Old Stone Fort is

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) says the centerpiece of the park is site 40CF1, the Old Stone Fort, an ancient Native American earthwork enclosure that overlooks the confluence of the Duck and Little Duck rivers. It dates to the Middle Woodland period, about 100 BCE to 500 CE.

The park brochure describes the site as mounds and earthen walls combined with cliffs and rivers to form an enclosure 1.4 miles around. The hilltop enclosure covers 42 acres and is believed to have served as a central ceremonial gathering place for about 500 years before it was abandoned. By the time European settlers arrived it was unclear how the area had been used, which is how it came to be misnamed a fort.

TDEC adds that early writers guessed the walls were built by Spanish explorers, Romans and others, and often read them as defensive fortifications. No archaeological evidence found to date supports those ideas, and today the site is understood as an ancient Native American ritual enclosure.

The Old Stone Fort was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, according to the National Park Service NPGallery record.

How the park came to be

TDEC says people have lived on this land since at least about 6000 BCE, and that over the centuries it saw earthworks, historic industries and Civil War troop movements. The waterfalls and pools along the Duck River drew locals and visitors, making the area a focal point in the early growth of Manchester. In April 1966 the Tennessee Department of Conservation bought 466 acres of what was then the Chumbley estate to create the park.

Tennessee State Parks lists the park at 782 acres today, and TDEC notes that it is made up of two separate parcels of land along the Duck River.

Where the park sits

• Address. The park is at 732 Stone Fort Drive, Manchester, TN 37355.
• Relative to town. TDEC describes the park as along the Duck River west of Manchester. The park brochure says it is on US 41 on the north side of Manchester.
• Interstate access. The brochure says Exit 110 on Interstate 24 is within two miles of the entrance by way of Highway 53 to US 41, with signs from the interstate.
• To downtown on foot or by bike. The City of Manchester says the Little Duck River Greenway connects the Town Square with Old Stone Fort State Park and the Caretakers Entrance of Old Stone Fort on State Highway 41.
• Bigger cities. The brochure describes Manchester as about one hour from both Nashville and Chattanooga. My commute guide covers the drive.

Inside the park

• Waterfalls. The three largest falls, Step Falls, Blue Hole Falls and Big Falls, are all visible along the Enclosure Trail, according to the brochure.
• Trails. The Enclosure Trail is a 1.4 mile loop that follows the main earthen wall, with 12 wayside panels. The brochure says the enclosure entrance was designed to face the spot on the horizon where the sun rises on the summer solstice. Tennessee State Parks also lists the Backbone Trail, the Forks of the River Trail to the point where the Duck and Little Duck rivers meet, the Moat Trail, the Garrison Road Trail, the Eagle Trail and the Chumbley Woods Trail.
• Chumbley Woods. The brochure says the Chumbley Woods Trailhead on Powers Bridge Road offers another 4.5 miles of trail.
• Bikes. Bicycles are not allowed on park trails except the Power Line Trail.
• Museum and visitor center. The museum introduces the site and its archaeology, and the gift shop and park office are in the same building. Tennessee State Parks lists accessible overlooks of the Duck River by the museum.
• Camping. The campground has 50 sites with water and electric hookups, fire rings, grills, picnic tables and hard surface pads, and a dump station open all year.
• Picnic area. The brochure lists 30 tables with grills, restrooms, a playground and one rentable shelter.
• Fishing. Tennessee State Parks says the Bark Camp and Barren forks provide largemouth bass, bream and catfish. A Tennessee fishing license is required for anyone 13 or older.

Hours, events and contact

The brochure lists park hours of 8:00 a.m. to sunset, with the museum open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The park phone is (931) 461 7676, and Tennessee State Parks reservations and information are at 1 888 867 2757.

Annual events on the brochure include Nature Day on the last Saturday in March, a Summer Solstice Gathering on the first day of summer and the Knap In and Atlatl Weekend on the first full weekend in October. The brochure adds that nature and interpretive programs run on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Park conditions change. In late October 2026 the park website posted a notice that the park bridge was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic for construction, so check the park page for current alerts before you go.

City amenities nearby

The City of Manchester lists the Old Stone Fort waterfalls, the Old Stone Fort Golf Course, the Little Duck River Greenway, City Park, the Recreation Complex outdoor pool and an indoor pool among its things to do.

• Little Duck River Greenway. The city describes a 2.4 mile, 8 foot wide concrete walkway with wooden boardwalks, bridges and an octagonal overlook. It connects Coffee County Middle School, Dave King Park, Fred Deadman Park, the Recreation Center, the Town Square, Memorial Garden and Old Stone Fort, and the newest section reaches the Manchester Sports Park. It is for pedestrians only, with no horses or motorized vehicles, and the section from the Town Square through the Memorial Garden into Fred Deadman Park is lighted.
• Recreation Center. The city lists a 69,000 square foot complex with an outdoor leisure pool, an indoor competition pool, a warm water therapy pool, a gymnasium and an indoor walking track.
• City park hours. The city lists park hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from March 1 through October 31, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from November 1 through February 28.

The park brochure also points visitors to the Downtown Manchester Historic Square and Foothills Crafts. For more ideas, see things to do in Manchester.

Buying a home near the park and the rivers

A home close to the park can put trails and the greenway near your door. It can also come with questions that are worth answering before you write an offer.

• Flood zone first. The Duck and Little Duck rivers meet at the park. Look up the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, ask your lender whether flood insurance will be required and get a quote during your inspection period. My flood zones guide walks through each step.
• City or county. Confirm whether the address is inside Manchester city limits or in unincorporated Coffee County. That decides which property taxes apply, which floodplain rules apply and which office handles permits.
• Water and sewer. The City of Manchester Water and Sewer Department serves the city and some areas of the county. Ask whether the home is on public water and sewer or on a private well and septic system. See my utilities guide, my septic guide and my well water guide.
• Inspections. Plan a full home inspection and ask about drainage, grading and any past water in the home. My home inspection guide explains what a standard inspection covers.
• Land and building. If you are looking at acreage or a lot to build on, my land buying guide covers surveys, septic and road access. Inside the city, Manchester runs a stormwater program and lists a small residential land disturbance permit, so ask the city before you grade or build.
• Property taxes. Tennessee assesses residential property at 25 percent of appraised value, and city homes pay both city and county taxes. My Coffee County property taxes guide explains how to estimate the bill.
• Schools. Public schools in the area are run by Manchester City Schools and Coffee County Schools. School assignment depends on the address, so confirm zoning with the district. See my schools guide.
• Park neighbors. The park hosts camping, events and visitors through the year. Visit at different times of day, including a weekend, to see how traffic and activity feel on the road you are considering.

Selling a home near Old Stone Fort

If you own a home near the park and are thinking about a move, I will prepare a price recommendation based on recent comparable sales and walk you through the Tennessee seller disclosure. Request a free home value report to get started.

Keep reading:

• Manchester TN neighborhoods and areas
• Living in Manchester
• Things to do in Manchester
• Flood zones and flood insurance in Manchester
• Buying land in Coffee County
• All Manchester guides

Looking at a home near Old Stone Fort?

I help buyers compare homes near the park with the rest of Manchester and Coffee County, and I can line up flood zone checks, inspections and utility questions before deadlines pass. Call or text me at (615) 497 1658, or request my buyer guide below and tell me what you are looking for.

Common questions

Matt Sargent is a Tennessee licensed affiliate broker with Keller Williams who helps buyers and sellers in Manchester and Coffee County. Call (615) 497 1658 or send a message.