Cumberland Mountain State Park

About Cumberland Mountain State Park
The 1,720-acre Cumberland Mountain State Park sits on the Cumberland Plateau around Byrd Lake, a man-made lake created by the impoundment of Byrd Creek in the 1930s. The park provides endless recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, picnicking and interpretive programs. The park also features a popular area restaurant and separate recreation hall that can accommodate up to 250 people. Those looking for an overnight stay can rent fully furnished cabins or more than 140 campsites for tents and RVs. The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain Golf Course is one of the more popular courses among the Jack Nicklaus-designed Bear Trace courses in Tennessee.Facts
Amenities & Services
Rules
Golf courses at Cumberland Mountain State Park
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Crossville, TennesseePublic
Images from Cumberland Mountain State Park
Reviews
Best of Bear Trace
Cumberland is easily my favorite Bear Trace. It’s February and the greens and fairways were great. It rained hard about three days prior to my playing so they didn’t get to cut the fairways, but still they were nice. Because I live in a county that borders Cumberland county it only costs $40 to ride 18. This is definitely a $60-$70 course. I love this place.
Very disappointing
My 3rd course played in a 3 course package. Dorchester and Stonehenge MUCH better.
This course was in decent shape considering all the rain previously, A tight, "back and forth" layout. Some good views. I have played a lot nicer courses for less.
The bad: Pace of play was terrible. We went off at 0900. There was a group of 3, then a single, and then a foursome in front of us. The foursome refused to let the single play through. By hole 10 it was really getting backed up. Someone called ranger/starter, he basically did nothing, said "enjoy the nice day" Took 5 hours and 20 min to play.
Snack Bar: Hotdogs and Brats were cold. Only one person working, so it was slow.
If you take a package to Tennessee Mountain golf, don't pick this course.
Hole in one
Great condition and the staff was wonderful. Got my first ever hole in one on #14
Bear Trace
Great day a the course , friendly staff. Great job course Marshall!! Perfect day for golf, course condition was excellent.
Terrific Nicklaus State Park Course
Enjoyed this Nicklaus course that is part of tn state parks. One of my favorite courses by Jack. Course has a very unique layout with plenty of elevation changes and signature holes.
Conditions could have been better on fairways and tees, greens were solid.
Disappointed
We chose the Bear Trace based on our past experience playing here. We knew the course was challenging but this trip was an exception. The rough was extremely thick and tall. So bad in fact it slowed our pace of play looking for balls. It was like playing in the US Open. Several of the the greens had fungi growing on them causing several bald spots. It was decided in the future this will not be a stop for our family tournament.
Scott
Greens were undulated but had a lot of fungus areas. Fairways in good shape, rough was high.
Skip this course
started at the front desk when they told us to split a small bucket between players. Then the driving range grass was at least 4 inches tall. The place is beautiful but not maintained. It is a true shame! I would never go back.
Fast small undulating greens, tight driving areas
This is very challenging course and as a first timer there, I did not know the best spots to play for or the distances. Course is beautiful, winds through hilly forest terrain, and the greens are very fast, but true. Staff was very nice. When my "A" game returns and I have a gps rangefinder, I will give it another shot.
Not worthy of Bear Trace name
Very disappointed in course conditions. Many dead/bare spots throughout course. A few greens with several bare spots as well. Putting over dirt. Certainly not worth the cost. I have played other Bear Trace Tn trail courses that are immensely better managed and in better condition. Some of the non Bear Trace Tn Golf Trail courses are in much better condition. Expected much more. Will not return to Cumberland Mountain. With the exception of morning cart guy/starter, staff is not very congenial or friendly and seem bothered that you are there to play. This is very different than other Tn Golf Trail courses which have very friendly staff. In addition area of golf shop where you check in is very messy and unkept and gives an appearance of a lack of or very bad management of this facility. This carries over to the lack of proper maintenance of the course.
Beautiful layout!
The course is beautiful and the greens were in good shape, however there are some maintenance issues that need attention. The grass around the aprons on most greens was dead or thin. Weeds have crept into theses areas. Many fairways were thin and some had bare spots. Traps needed raked and trimming around the lips. I would still recommend the course but the prices are high considering the current conditions. Friendly staff!
Bear Trace Cumberland Mountain: Poor Conditions
As someone who is a member at a private club with a Nicklaus signature course, my expectations for this course were probably way too high from a conditioning standpoint. The fairways at Bear Trace Cumberland Mountain were in average shape, but unfortunately they have lost a good number of the greens on the course, some of which were virtually unplayable. Nicklaus courses of this vintage are expensive to maintain and without proper funding there's simply no way a state run daily fee course can expect to keep their course in top notch condition without raising the green fees. The design of the course is challenging and the rolling terrain of the site probably makes growing turf difficult even with an adequate budget. However, I simply can't recommend this course to my fellow golfers when there are other options in the area that are far superior and priced similarly. The pro shop staff was incredibly nice and helpful, but they can't make grass grow, which is sort of essential to the whole process of making a golf course enjoyable. Hopefully, they will get the course back in shape, but I think this course is a prime example of a state park being in way over their head from maintenance standpoint.
TN Golf Trail Fitrst Timers
Our first experience with TN Golf Trail and will say that it an overall good experience. The layout was challenging as all Nickolaus course can be. Play was good with no waiting. The course had some water damage with Nate spots from runoff and lots of clover. But for a public course in a park it was one of the better we played.
Not a country club or resort course but one that will challenge your game And make sure to bring your A putting game.
Tennessee favorite
Having been to this area from Michigan, I never miss playing this course. I really look forward to everything about this course. The staff are great, the layout is great and the pro shop is great. The course conditions are always up to standards and the greens are perfect. Anyone who loves a challenge and wonderful scenery should play here.
Great experience
Great golf course! Must play if you are in the area.
Love this course
Had a great round. People on the course but not rushed or held up. Some of the greens are very challenging. Well maintained and staff are great. I would come back again definitely.
Great course
Great course. Very good layout and challenging. Fairways were in good shape as well as greens. I have no complaints what so ever. One of the best courses around