Port Royal State Park

Port Royal State Park spreads across 26 acres (10.5 hectares) along the Red River, showing different natural landscapes, walking trails, and ruins from an old settlement. The ground is mostly level and easy to navigate, with clear paths running through wooded areas and alongside the river.

The settlement began in 1797 and served as a key supply point during the Cherokee removal in 1838. After that period, people moved away and most buildings gradually disappeared over time.

The 1859 Masonic Lodge and General Store still stands as the final building left from the original settlement, showing what community life looked like here. Walking around it, you can sense the daily routines of the people who once called this place home.

The marked paths are easy to walk and information signs explain the site's history at several spots. Wear comfortable shoes and check the website for current hours before you go, as seasonal changes can affect access.

A steel truss bridge from 1890 crosses Sulphur Fork Creek and shows early American bridge building techniques of that era. This structure remains a rare example of 19th century engineering still standing in the park.