Nashville, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Tennessee State Parks was recognized Tuesday, September 24, as one of four finalists for the award of top state park system in the nation at the National Recreation and Park Association annual conference in Baltimore, Md.

Tennessee is home to 56 state parks, one of which can be found in Clarksville-Montgomery County. Dunbar Cave State Park is regarded as an important prehistoric site. Mississippian Native American tribes regarded the caves as a sacred place, and its caverns contain art dating back to the 14th century (CE). In more recent history, the mouth of Dunbar Cave has served as a popular dance hall, hosting musical legends like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash.

Dunbar Cave has many hiking trails, and guests may register to tour the cave’s interior during the summer months. The park also hosts several exciting events throughout the year, including Dunbar Cave – 1865 which will be held this weekend.

For more information on Dunbar Cave State Park, including a calendar of events, visit them online.

Just outside of Clarksville, in Adams, Tenn, is Port Royal State Park. Located along the Red River, this park is home to one of Middle Tennessee’s oldest colonial settlements and is an official site of the Trail of Tears National Trail. The park features multiple hiking trails and the Visitor’s Center is housed in an 1859 Masonic Lodge.

For more information on Port Royal, visit them at their website.

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The award, part of the 2019 Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, is administered by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

“Tennessee State Parks are a part of the fabric of Tennessee communities and are key contributors to the high quality of life our citizens enjoy,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “I want to thank Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly for their continued support.”

For information on Tennessee’s other state parks, visit the Tennessee State Parks website.

For more information on the Gold Medal Awards, visit http://www.nrpa.org/goldmedal.