Red Clay hosted the last two major Cherokee councils before the Cherokee were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands.
The Blue Hole Spring was considered sacred by the Cherokee and served as the primary water source for thousands during council meetings.
The park contains a memorial flame that burns perpetually to commemorate the lives lost during the Trail of Tears.
The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
In 1984, the park was officially dedicated as a site of Cherokee history by tribal leaders.
The park grounds contain a replica council house built according to traditional 1830s Cherokee architectural specifications.
The annual Red Clay Intertribal Powwow takes place here, drawing members of various Native American nations to celebrate heritage.
The park geography includes significant karst topography, common to the Tennessee Valley.
Red Clay State Historic Park serves as the final capital of the Cherokee Nation before the forced removal known as the Trail of Tears. The 263-acre site features the Blue Hole Spring, a limestone aquifer that emits approximately 140,000 gallons of water daily. It was the site of the last Cherokee national councils from 1832 to 1838. The park includes a museum and visitor center documenting the history of the Cherokee people and their government. Visitors can walk reconstructed Cherokee homesteads and a council house. The property is situated on the Tennessee-Georgia border. It serves as a commemorative site for the federal government's policy of Indian Removal.
The wooden overlook bridge providing a direct view of the Blue Hole Spring.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes to explore the woodland trails and uneven ground near the spring.
Visit the visitor center before walking the grounds to understand the historical context of the site.
Bring insect repellent, as the humid, wooded areas around the spring attract mosquitoes.
Do not treat the site as a recreational water park; swimming and wading in the Blue Hole Spring are strictly prohibited.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as the site is a memorial to a major human tragedy; follow all posted rules regarding the protection of the spring and historical structures.
