Lone Mountain State Forest closed over coronavirus concerns

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lone Mountain State Forest was closed due to concerns about the coronavirus after personnel noticed an increase in visitors, Tennessee officials said.

Many visitors have been gathering in parking lots and trail heads and not following guidelines to maintain social distancing, the Department of Agriculture said in a news release Thursday. The Division of Forestry is within the Department of Agriculture.

Access points and trails will be closed to prevent groups from gathering in order to protect public health, the release said.

The 3,572-acre (1,446 hectare) forest is located on the Cumberland Plateau in Morgan County, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) west of Knoxville.