Overview. This forest walk leads to the historic Massengale Homesite and Spring Box in Rugby State Natural Area. Only the footers of the home remain, but the spring box is in good repair with water continuing to flow. Big South Fork NRRA is across the street to the north and Sheltowee Trace passes through town (see notes below).

Route Type | Loop
Total Distance | 1.27 miles
Elevation Gain | 224 feet
Overall Difficulty | Easy to Moderate

GPS Waypoints
Trailhead | 36.358994, -84.701322
Trail Junction | 36.356353, -84.702269
Trail Junction | 36.354131, -84.699875
Spring Trail Junction | 36.353375, -84.699864
Homesite | 36.353006, -84.700247
Spring Box | 36.353014, -84.699014

Parking. Ample parking is available past the visitors center, but likely fills up on busy summer weekends. Do not block the workhouse lot when parking here.

Trail Navigation. Hiking the loop counterclockwise, take the wide roadbed to the right (southwest) of the infoboard. Walk the trail until reaching the marked fork and take the trail to the left (east) toward the homestead. Walk mostly uphill from here until reaching the homestead that has an infoboard and period fence around it. Circle around and step inside to see the old footers. Drop down to the spring ‘house’ as an out and back spur to see a functional water supply that has been around for more than a century. Meet up with the trail and descend, going straight at the fork to finish the loop.

CAUTION - Trail Map. Be sure to stop at the visitors center to pick-up a paper copy of updated and expanded trail maps. The trail map posted at the trailhead infoboard is old and does not show many of the other trails in the area.

HIKER NOTE - Sheltowee Trace. This trail continues to expand and the southern terminus will move from Burnt Mill Bridge to Rugby when this section is complete. From there, the Trace will be extended a final time to connect with the Cumberland Trail in Wartburg, Tennessee. This will provide hikers with a more than 500 mile long tour of the Cumberland Plateau.

HIKER NOTE - Rugby, TN Hiking. I calculated another 15.5 miles of hiking available with many routes being short, relatively easy hikes through the forest. On my next visit, I’ll certainly try to hike all of these to provide visitors of the historically rich region more details than can be found online at present.

CAUTION - Poisonous Snakes. Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes can be found in the area. Should you encounter one, stop and slowly back away. Always give venomous snakes a wide berth. Know Before You Go => University of Kentucky Venomous Snake Guide

CAUTION - Black Bears. Ursus Americanus - a.k.a. the American black bear is growing in population throughout much of Kentucky. Know Before You Go => US Forest Service Black Bear Safety Tips