Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is a 70-acre state facility in Tennessee with a reconstructed Fort Watauga, interpretive center, amphitheater, and riverside trails. The grounds feature exhibits about frontier life, a walking network along the Watauga River, and spaces designed for both learning and outdoor recreation.

In 1775, Richard Henderson and Daniel Boone negotiated the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals with Cherokee leaders at this location, a moment that sparked western expansion into Tennessee and Kentucky. This agreement shaped the course of frontier settlement and westward movement in early America.

The amphitheater hosts outdoor performances of 'Liberty: The Saga of Sycamore Shoals,' which tells stories of early frontier settlement through music, drama, and dialogue. These performances bring together visitors and community members to experience regional history as a shared narrative.

The visitor center offers guided tours, interpretive exhibits, and historical reenactments, while designated riverbank areas allow fishing. Wear comfortable shoes for walking the grounds, and check the center's hours before planning your visit.

The grounds feature a tree grown from seeds that traveled to space during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. This specimen was planted here in 1976, creating an unusual link between space exploration and local environmental history.

Location: Elizabethton

Address: 1651 W Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Phone: +(888)8672757

Website: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals

GPS coordinates: 36.34289,-82.25493

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:01