Laurel Hill Lake
Northwest Lawrence County is home to Laurel Hill Wildlife Management Area, approximately 15,000 acres owned by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
A variety of native fish are stocked at the 325-acre Laurel Hill Lake and 22-acre VFW Lake; specific areas for hunting are set aside during Tennessee’s hunting seasons. Laurel Hill Bait & Deli offers sportsman licenses, bait and tackle, picnic supplies, and serves as a check-in station for hunters.
Laurel Hill includes 30 miles of chert gravel roads and approximately 30 miles of horse-riding trails. Three areas are set aside for primitive camping, and picnic areas are plentiful. Birdwatching enthusiasts praise the area’s viewing opportunities of migratory and year-round residents.
Located west of Lawrenceburg off Hwy 64.
Natchez Trace
Northwestern Lawrence County offers access to the Natchez Trace Parkway, a path once taken by herds of bison, Native Americans, hunters, and explorers that stretches between Natchez, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee.
The Highway 64 West entrance is your gateway to many historic and scenic destinations along this 10,000-year-old roadway, several within easy driving distance of Lawrence County.
David Crockett State Park
The perfect place to enjoy nature and outdoor adventure is David Crockett State Park, named for the frontiersman who operated a gristmill, powder mill and distillery on the creek that meanders through its 1,319 acres.
The park offers biking and hiking trails; modern cabins, RV and primitive camp sites; a lake for fishing and non-motorized boating; a museum; swimming pool; restaurant; picnic shelters, playgrounds, and a wealth of wildlife to observe.
Located off West Gaines Street approximately two miles west of downtown Lawrenceburg.
Dixie Oaks Golf Course
Dixie Oaks is a public 18-hole course opened in 1996. The picturesque layout offers 5 tee options for each golfer and measures 6,550 yards from the back tees. Unique to Dixie Oaks, the course has zero sand traps but still has plenty of bite to it. Between the rolling terrain, mature tree-lined fairways, occasional water obstacles, and greens that demand accuracy, you’ll play every club in your bag.
Located at 76 Pleasant Garden Rd., Summertown.
Lawrenceburg Golf Course
A golfer-friendly 18-hole course is available to members and out-of-town visitors at the Lawrenceburg Golf & Country Club. The course is relatively short but challenging. It measures 6,100 yards from the blue tees; 5,480 from the white; 4,838 from the silver; and 4,500 from the red. Par is 71 on four par 5s, five par 3s, and nine par 4s. Bermuda fairways and bentgrass greens hold up well year-round. If time is short, there is an on-site driving range and practice green.
Located 1901 West Gaines St., Lawrenceburg.
James D. Vaughan Museum
The history of Southern Gospel Music comes alive in the James D. Vaughan Museum in historic downtown Lawrenceburg. It honors the man Congress declared “Father of Southern Gospel Music.” By association, Lawrenceburg was declared its birthplace.
Vaughan sponsored the first professional southern gospel quartets, established the first southern gospel magazine, recorded the first southern gospel quartets, established the first southern gospel music radio station and taught the South how to sing with the renowned Vaughan School of Music.
Early printing tools and broadcast equipment, copies of Vaughan songbooks and the Vaughan Family Visitor, scores of photographs, musical instruments and other memorabilia from this early music mogul are on display at the museum. Short videos offer more about the history of Southern Gospel and those who brought it to national prominence.
Located on the top floor of the Vaughan Municipal Complex, also known as the Vaughan building on the Public Square.
Old Jail Museum
Lawrenceburg’s Old Jail Museum allows you to step inside jail cells that were in use from 1893 to 1974; stand in the spot where a Sheriff met his fate; and see where barred windows were repaired following an inmate escape.
Displays throughout the building tell stories of Lawrence County’s households, transportation, farms, churches, businesses, and industries. A military history area includes a wide range of memorabilia and items specific to individuals from this community. The campaign and political collection includes items from the life and career of Fred Thompson, a U.S. Senator, Presidential candidate, actor, and attorney who grew up in Lawrenceburg.
The Old Jail Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Located on Waterloo Street one block west of the Lawrenceburg Square.
David Crockett’s Office
He may be best remembered as a frontiersman, but David Crockett was also a public servant who started his political career in Lawrence County.
One block south of the Lawrenceburg Square is a replica of Crockett’s office when he served as a magistrate and member of the Lawrence County Court, the county’s ruling body. This came with the power to marry people, swear out arrest warrants, settle disputes, and act as judge in civil and criminal cases.
Located on South Military Avenue approximately two blocks from the Lawrenceburg Square.
Ralph J. Passarella Memorial Museum
The Ralph J Passarella Museum is a small museum in downtown Loretto with unusual historical collections and memorabilia.
It offers a hands-on experience by showcasing items such as newspapers, magazines, books, toys, tools, quilts, medical equipment, telephone receivers, telephone operator’s switchboards, soda fountain, wood burning kitchen stove, church vestments from the local Catholic community, vintage clothing, and much more.
Located at 128 North Main Street, Loretto.
Amish Heritage Farm Museum
The property that is now the Amish Heritage Farm Museum was one of the first established near Ethridge, Tennessee in 1944 when a group of Old Order Amish came to Lawrence County from Ohio and Mississippi.
Today the house has been restored back to its original state, complete with period furnishings and artifacts from the 1940s. A harness shop, henhouse, a replica of a one-room Amish school house, and more are part of the tour site.
Located at 1016 Brewer Road, Ethridge: turn onto Brewer Road from Highway 43 North and travel .07 mile.
Amish Farms
Many visitors enjoy driving or taking horse-drawn wagon tours through Lawrence County’s Amish Country, home to approximately 250 Old Order Amish families.
A number welcome visitors and offer a wide variety of prepared foods, produce, furniture, saddles, harnesses, baskets, and other items for sale. Handmade signs at the end of an Amish driveway direct you to these sellers; otherwise the family does not do business with the public.
There are absolutely no Sunday sales, and photographs of Amish people are not allowed.
Located 4001 Highway 43 North, Ethridge.
Lawrence County Disc Golf Trail
With three beautiful, challenging and well-designed municipal courses, the Lawrence County Disc Golf Trail is a great place to up your chain game. Travel from south to north to play all three at St. Joseph City Park, Loretto City Park, and in Lawrenceburg adjacent to David Crockett State Park along Shoal Creek.
Shoal Creek
There are several places in Lawrence County to enjoy Shoal Creek and its tributaries, whether you are a wader, rower, or fisherman. Crockett Falls at David Crockett State Park is a popular destination for water play. The creek surrounds Lawrenceburg’s Veterans Park on three sides, providing spots to fish from the bank or access the water for fly fishing.
Shoal Creek Canoe Run and Double G Canoe Rentals in southern Lawrence County rent canoes and kayaks for trips that range from 3-4 to 10-12 hours. In Lawrenceburg, Crockett Shoals Tubing Co. offers a slower, more leisurely tour down the creek.
Shoal Creek Canoe Run is located at 472 Iron City Road, Iron City.
Double G Canoe Rentals is located at 629 Busby Road, Loretto.
Dog Park
The Mitzi Sweet Memorial Dog Park provides fenced enclosures where dogs can run and play off-leash. Separate areas are available for small and medium/large dogs, along with covered seating for owners, waste collection bags and receptacles, and water sources for dogs. A nearby quarter-mile trail through the woods is perfect for walks with your leashed pet.
Located on West Gaines west of downtown Lawrenceburg then turn left onto Skyline Drive.
Motor Sports
U.S. 43 Drag Raceway and Thunderhill Raceway Park offer two different styles of racing events in northern Lawrence County. U.S. 43 is a 1/8 mile track that provides weekend events for classes including Pro Mod, Street Car, and Junior Dragsters. Thunderhill is a 1/3 mile oval, high-backed, red clay track that hosts weekly events for Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, E-Mods, Hot Shots and Trucks.
Wheelin’ in the Country Off-Road Park is 700+ privately-owned acres with trails designed for beginners to more extreme 4×4 enthusiasts. ATVs, buggies, dirt bikes, trucks, jeeps and hybrids are welcome.
U.S. 43 Drag Raceway is located on 29 Dooley Road, Ethridge.
Thunderhill Raceway Park is located 75 North Old Military Road, Summertown.
The Farm
One of the nation’s oldest intentional communities is on the Lawrence/Lewis County line near Summertown. The Farm was established as a commune in 1971 by hippies who followed San Francisco State College instructor Stephen Gaskin on a search for a more spiritual life. The Farm Welcome Center offers a small museum about the Farm’s beginnings, its Book Publishing Company titles, tie-dyed t-shirts, handmade jewelry, and a map of areas open to the public.
Located at 100 Farm Road, Summertown.
