Christmas Fern Trail

To access the Christmas Fern Trail, drive into the East area of the park and drive up to the parking lot beside the Tea Room in the old CCC Camp. The trail descends into the woods beside the team room and quickly comes to a fork. The trail is marked with a purple marker to differentiate it from other trails in the area. You can either descend gently by continuing straight ahead or descend more steeply to the right via a set of stairs. Along this path down the hill, you can see a huge variety of species in a short distance. Christmas ferns cover the forest floors, and there's a canopy of Umbrella Magnolia. Also, find random patches of delicious raspberries when in season. If you go to the right, the trail drops closer to the lake via a set of log steps. The trail comes to a junction with the Tall Timbers Trail which goes off to the right. Turning to the left, the trail winds through the woods along the lake until it comes to the intersection with the Norris Dam Storybook Trail. Obscured views of the lake can be enjoyed along this section of the trail and there are some frequent use trails that lead to the shore in places. There is a bench here where you can sit and enjoy the peacefulness of the woods. From here the trail narrows a bit as the trail turns back to the left and starts to climb steadily back up the hill. The trail eventually emerges at the previous split and you have a short distance until you get back to your vehicle.