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Tennessee Equestrian Communities Near Big South Fork: Spruce Creek Acres

By
Real Estate Agent with Tennessee Recreational Properties

Big South Fork, Tennessee, is a destination for trail riders and many who have come to ride in the Big South Fork National Park have come to stay.

Several equestrian communities have been developed now near Big South Fork. Ten years ago, people who wanted to come here for the riding bought parcels of land in Spruce Creek Acres, the oldest of these equestrian communities, and began to build cabarns (cabin/barn combination) or small cabins. Each one is different and most are tucked into the trees, so it has a very rural look and feel. Deeded trails wind throughout and connect directly to the Cumberland Trailhead, a major gateway into the Big South Fork.

Spruce Creek is an equestrian community abutting the Big South Fork National Park in Jamestown, Tennessee

Spruce Creek is growing exponentially as those who bought lots years ago are now retiring and moving to this area. Those lots are being cleared and others bought as the demand for small, easy-to-maintain houses increases. Buyers want the "cabin" look and feel but newcomers seem to want two bedrooms and two baths with large closets and plenty of storage space, on one floor.

There also seems to be a burgeoning number of pre-fab buildings built by the Mennonites that are being brought in on a flatbed, set on blocks and fitted out as cabins. This is a very economical way for weekenders to have a little place here for part-time use.

A representative sample of recent or new construction in Spruce Creek, with a Mennonite building, a cabarn, a cabin and a sizeble house with garage and full basement.

Social life centers around the central pavilion, where you'll find a well-attended potluck supper on the last Saturday of warm months so it's easy to get to meet people and find riding buddies. There's always a bonfire in the firepit and attendees linger late into the evening, enjoying the ambiance. A bi-monthly newsletter keeps members of the Spruce Creek Trails Association connected, which you can read on the Spruce Creek website.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

You'll also find a lot of information about the area in general on Tennessee Recreational Properties' website.

Comments (12)

Diane Williams
Pell City, AL

Your area sounds like a wonderful place to live and enjoy life.

Mar 30, 2010 12:26 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

It must be so nice to have a whole development of neighbors who share your lifestyle and passion.  It sounds beautiful!

Mar 30, 2010 12:33 AM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

Leslie, your posts make me miss my horse!  We had as many as 7 when my boys were young.  Then football got in the way and now none of us ride any more.  Tennessee seems like a wonderful place to live. 

Mar 30, 2010 01:36 AM
Robert Hicks
United Country River City Realty - Savannah, TN

Yum, Yum,, Pot Lucks and Bonfire's,, and good company,, what else could a person ask for???

Mar 30, 2010 12:57 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

I wanted to come over and thank you for helping me get my old job back.

Thanks for all your help!

Mar 30, 2010 04:12 PM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Diane. I lived in Vermont for 10 years, moved to Florida and was MOST unhappy there. Tennessee is the perfect compromise...four seasons with fairly mild winters. It looks and feels so much like Vermont...WITHOUT the high taaxes...that I don't miss it the way I did. I really love it here.

Apr 08, 2010 09:32 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Sharon. This is a really unique place. The equestrian subdivision isn't a novel idea but any that I've ever known of feature a central barn. Because the focus here is on trail riding, everyone has their own little barn. There are also a lot of weekenders who may have only an RV hookup and some pipe corrals. it's all very low key, which suits me!

Apr 08, 2010 09:38 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

Is that one home that looks like a barn actually a home or actually a barn? I'm thinking it's a house since it's on a raised foundation. Quite unique.

Apr 13, 2010 07:55 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Sandra. Tennessee is a wwonderful place to live! I grew up in CT, lived in ME for 15 years and VT for 10; this has all of the assets of New England without the drawbacks such as harsh winters and high taxes! Big South Fork sure is horse country....there are probably more horses here than people....LOL.

Apr 16, 2010 01:27 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Robert. Thanks for commenting. Potlucks will start up this month and run through the summer. I am the editor of the Spruce Creek newsletter and people are already emailing, asking if there's a potluck this month.

It's nice that Spruce Creek is such a supportive, totally horse-oriented community. Weekenders and seasonal homeowners try to get here as often ans they can and visitors to he area often exclaim, you LIVE here?? You are SO LUCKY.!!"

Apr 16, 2010 01:32 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Russel. It's ALWAYS nice to see Zoey! Sometimes when an employer is foolish enough to let a valued employee go and has to hire him or her back, the employee is in a position to negotiate for "perks"  so I hope Zoey had a  good business advisor and ended up with more than she had before!!

I have never seen a full-length picture of her...just assorted body parts such as tails and toes...she is GORGEOUS!!

Apr 16, 2010 01:55 PM
Anonymous
Joanne

This sounds like an amazing place! We will ne retiring soon and Spruce Creek looks like a great possibility. Can anyone tell me how I can find a copy of the by-laws, or community rules for this area? What are building restrictions, the do-don'ts etc. Thanks!

May 30, 2017 06:32 PM
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