Tennessee State Parks
A family list of state parks, sorted into West, Middle, and East. Day use is free. A cabin or a campsite is not. Book that on the state site.
A lake made by the 1811–12 earthquakes. Winter is eagle season.
Getting there: Highway 21 east of Tiptonville, in the northwest corner of the state. Day use does not need a reservation. A cabin or campsite does. Book that on the Tennessee State Parks site before you leave home. Blue Bank and Eagle Basin have had intermittent closures for repair.
Official park page · (731) 253-9652
Bluff forest north of Memphis, with a lake and short trails.
Getting there: About 20 minutes north of Memphis on Highway 51, then Riddick Road. One Way Road past the campground has been closed for erosion. Check the park page the morning you go.
Official park page · (901) 876-5215
The largest state park in Tennessee, with lakes and cabins.
Getting there: I-40 exit 116, then Highway 114 south. Day use does not need a reservation. The lodge has been closed for a rebuild. Confirm cabins and campgrounds on the park page.
Official park page · (731) 968-3742
On Kentucky Lake, with an inn and a marina.
Getting there: Highway 79 at the Tennessee River, about 15 minutes northeast of Paris. The inn is on the park. A slip or a cabin should be booked ahead in summer.
Official park page · (731) 641-4465
On Pickwick Lake near the Alabama and Mississippi lines.
Getting there: Highway 57 near the state lines, south of Savannah. The inn and marina are the stop. Book a room before a holiday weekend.
Official park page · (731) 689-3129
A CCC-era park with a lake, cabins, and a golf course.
Getting there: Highway 100 between Jackson and Bolivar. Day use is open. Cabins and the lodge need a reservation.
Official park page · (731) 989-5141
A Civil War fort on the Mississippi bluff.
Getting there: Highway 87 west of Henning, then the park road to the bluff. It is a walking visit. There is no lodge.
Official park page · (731) 738-5581
The first state park east of the Mississippi open to Black visitors, with a pool and trails.
Getting there: In southwest Memphis, off Highway 61. It is a city-edge park, not a long drive.
Official park page · (901) 543-7581
Waterfalls on the Cumberland Plateau, including a 256-foot drop.
Getting there: About 30 minutes south of Crossville on Highway 111, then Highway 284. Day use does not need a reservation. A cabin or campsite does. Book that on the Tennessee State Parks site before you leave home. A few trails remain closed from 2023 storm damage.
Official park page · (423) 881-5298
A lake park west of Nashville, with an inn and cabins.
Getting there: I-40 exit 182, about 40 minutes west of Nashville. The inn is on the park. Weekend cabins go early.
Official park page · (615) 797-9052
A quiet lake in the city. No bikes, no swimming, no pets on the trails.
Getting there: Otter Creek Road, about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville. The lots fill on a fair Saturday. There is no camping.
Official park page · (615) 373-3467
On Percy Priest Lake, with a flat lake trail.
Getting there: Hobson Pike southeast of Nashville, off I-40. Day use is open. Couchville Lake is the easy walk.
Official park page · (615) 885-2422
Cedar glades and a campground east of Nashville.
Getting there: Highway 231 south of Lebanon, about 30 minutes east of Nashville. Cabins need a reservation.
Official park page · (615) 443-2769
A downtown park at the foot of the Capitol, with fountains and a granite map.
Getting there: James Robertson Parkway, next to the farmers market. Walk from downtown. There is no camping.
Official park page · (615) 741-5280
Where the Caney Fork meets the Collins, with falls you can walk behind in season.
Getting there: Highway 70S between Sparta and McMinnville. The gorge trail is steep. Wear shoes that can get wet.
Official park page · (931) 686-2471
A short, steep walk to a waterfall.
Getting there: Highway 135 south of I-40 at Cookeville. The trail is not a stroller path. There is no camping.
Official park page · (931) 432-5312
A gorge swim in warm months. A permit is required to go below the falls.
Getting there: West of Cookeville, off Highway 70. The gorge requires a free permit and is closed when the water is high. Check the park page that morning.
Official park page · (931) 261-3471
On the Duck River, with an inn and a golf course.
Getting there: Highway 31A between Shelbyville and Columbia. The inn is the overnight stop.
Official park page · (931) 364-2222
High-country park under the rhododendron balds.
Getting there: Highway 143 south of Roan Mountain town. It is cooler than the valley. Cabins book up for the June bloom.
Official park page · (423) 772-0190
A TVA-era dam park with cabins and a gristmill.
Getting there: Highway 441 off I-75 north of Knoxville. Day use is open. Cabins need a reservation.
Official park page · (865) 426-7461
A steep mountain park. The lookout is a real hike.
Getting there: Highway 62 west of Wartburg. The campground is first-come for many sites. The summit trail is not a short walk.
Official park page · (423) 346-3318
A quieter lake park north of Knoxville.
Getting there: Highway 61 north of Knoxville. Cabins and the campground need a reservation in summer.
Official park page · (865) 992-5523
A small lake park at the edge of the Cumberland Mountains.
Getting there: I-75 exit 134 at Caryville. It is a short stop, not a lodge park.
Official park page · (423) 566-9701
On Chickamauga Lake, with a marina and a campground.
Getting there: North of Chattanooga on Highway 58. A slip or a campsite should be booked for a holiday.
Official park page · (423) 344-6214
On Fort Patrick Henry Lake, with a pool and trails.
Getting there: Off I-81 at Kingsport. It is a city-edge park. The pool is seasonal.
Official park page · (423) 239-8531
A reconstructed fort on the Watauga River.
Getting there: Highway 321 in Elizabethton. It is a walking and museum visit. There is no camping.
Official park page · (423) 543-5808
River fields east of Knoxville, kept for birds.
Getting there: Kodak Road off I-40 east of Knoxville. It is a day park. There is no camping.
Official park page · (865) 407-8335
This is not every park. The official find-a-park page is the full list. Links go to tnstateparks.com.