Your Guide to Exploring Tennessee State Parks
August 1, 2020 | Permalink
Recharge With Tennessee State Parks
Let's recharge. Let's wake up to the crisp air of the Appalachian Mountains, reconnect to the natural pace of life, and rediscover places that will take your breath away.
Whether you're looking to pitch your tent under the stars or cozy up in a cabin, with 56 Tennessee State Parks, you're never more than an hour away from some relaxation and adventure. This article is here to help you plan your next getaway, so you can spend less time planning and more time outdoors.
All of our parks are free for everyone to enter and enjoy!
Sort and filter through our parks to discover the perfect place to visit based on lodging, activities and more.
We know you may have questions about planning a trip to a Tennessee State Park during COVID-19. For information on what Tennessee State Parks is doing to keep visitors safe check out our Keeping Visitors Healthy page and for trip planning tips visit our COVID-19 and Travel Planning page.
Things to Do
Photo: Tennessee Photographs
Recreation and relax. Most parks feature hiking trails, serene picnic areas, and opportunities to view native wildlife, but many also feature:
Finding solitude in nature is one of the main reasons people love exploring state parks. For ideas on ways to social distance while enjoying our parks click the link below.
Stay Overnight
When you stay overnight at a Tennessee State Park, you open the door to connecting with nature on a new level.
Take in sweeping views of the stars at Pickett CCC Memorial State Park’s certified dark sky or drift to sleep to the sound of the rushing Ocoee River at Hiwassee Ocoee State Park. No matter the park you choose to stay the night at, you’ll uncover a whole new side to the park you experienced during the day.
Stay the night at one of our campgrounds, cabins, or lodges. We’ve got the overnight accommodations to fit your needs and style.
Camping
Whether you’re with us for one night or a week, our park campgrounds provide a place for you to recharge away from the fast pace of everyday life. Set up your personal oasis in the heart of our parks, and enjoy easy access to park activities. Many of our campgrounds offer the opportunity to explore nearby cities and attractions during the day while offering an escape to back to nature at night. From backcountry sites to drive up full-service RV campgrounds, Tennessee State Parks is ready to host your next adventure.
Fall Camping: Explore five fall camping destinations or our top parks for fall vacations.
Cabins
Large groups and solo travelers looking to experience the outdoors with a few added comforts will find a home away from home at one of our cabins. Our parks feature a variety of cabin styles. If you’re looking for a weatherproof, A/C equipped camping experience, try a camping cabin. If you have a family that needs space to spread out, look into our deluxe cabins. No matter your needs or style, there’s a cabin waiting for you at our parks.
Fall Cabins: Explore our picks for the best cabins to view fall foliage.
Lodges
The lodges at Tennessee State Parks offer a resort-style experience surrounded by the natural beauty of a state park. Find your natural vacation with rooms that offer incredible views, full-service restaurants on-site, golf courses, and easy access to all the natural recreation activities that our parks offer.
How to Prepare for your Visit
Photo: Seth Dortch
Tennessee State Parks wants you to have a safe and enjoyable visit at our parks. Our staff committed to keeping visitors healthy during COVID-19. Find out more about how you can keep yourself and others safe as well as the steps we are taking to keep visitors healthy.
To prepare for your visit to our parks, you can find park hours and contact information on the specific park pages on our website.
Visit our FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions.