When our family moved to Tennessee, we didn’t set out with the goal of visiting every Tennessee State Park.
We were simply looking for ways to explore the state we now called home.
Like many families settling into a new place, we were trying to learn its landscape, its history, and its personality. State parks turned out to be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to do exactly that. During our first year in Tennessee, it seemed like every weekend found us heading off to another park. One weekend we would be hiking to a waterfall. The next we would be exploring a historic site, walking through an old fort, or discovering a scenic overlook we had never heard of before.
Somewhere along the way, a simple weekend tradition turned into a much bigger adventure. What began as a way to get to know Tennessee became a goal to visit every Tennessee State Park.
This guide shares the Tennessee State Parks we’ve visited so far, our favorite experiences, and the parks that are still waiting on our adventure list. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly hike, a weekend getaway, a scenic drive, or a hidden gem you may not have heard about, Tennessee’s state parks have something for everyone.
Tennessee is home to 65 state parks, each offering its own blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and history. We’re excited to keep exploring them one park at a time.
- Best Of Tennessee State Parks
- Why We Love Tennessee State Parks
- Parks Still On Our List
- Tennessee State Parks We’ve Visited (Complete Guide)
Tennessee State Park Challenge:
- Parks Visited: 32/65
- Parks Remaining: 33
- Started: July 2020
- Most Visited State Parks:
- Fall Creek Falls State Park
- Tims Ford State Park
- Savage Gulf State Park
- Radnor Lake State Park
Our Favorite Tennessee State Parks
After visiting parks across Tennessee, a few have risen to the top of our list. These are the parks we find ourselves recommending again and again, whether you’re visiting Tennessee for the first time or looking for a new adventure close to home.
Best Overall Tennessee State Park
Fall Creek Falls State Park: Tennessee’s flagship state park is famous for its waterfalls, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and family-friendly atmosphere. We’ve visited in multiple seasons and continue to find new reasons to return.
Best Waterfall State Park
Burgess Falls State Park: With powerful cascades, beautiful river views, and some of the most dramatic water scenery in Tennessee, Burgess Falls is a must-see for waterfall lovers.
Best Hiking State Park
Savage Gulf State Park: The Great Stone Door, incredible overlooks, and miles of rugged trails make Savage Gulf one of the best hiking destinations in Tennessee.
Best Hidden Gem State Park
Head of the Crow State Park: One of Tennessee’s newer state parks, Head of the Crow offers beautiful scenery and fewer crowds than many of the state’s more famous parks.
Best State Park for History Lovers
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park: Combining waterfalls, hiking trails, and one of Tennessee’s most fascinating archaeological sites, Old Stone Fort is where nature and history come together.
Best State Park for Families
Tims Ford State Park: With lake activities, easy trails, and plenty of space to relax, Tims Ford is a wonderful choice for a family weekend getaway.
Why We Love Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee State Parks have become more than just places for us to hike or spend a weekend outdoors—they’ve become one of the ways we’ve learned to feel at home in this state.
When we first moved to Tennessee, we were still figuring everything out. The parks gave us an easy place to start. They were accessible, affordable, and always just different enough that every visit felt like a small discovery. One weekend might be a waterfall hike, the next a quiet lake, or a walk through a place layered with history.
Over time, those weekends added up. We started recognizing favorite trails, returning to parks in different seasons, and finding ourselves talking about them long after we left.
What we love most is how different each park feels. Some are wild and rugged, carved deep into the landscape. Others are calm and family-friendly, with lakes and picnic areas where time slows down. Many carry layers of history—Native American heritage, Civil War sites, frontier settlements—that remind us how much life has unfolded in these places long before we arrived.
Tennessee State Parks have given us more than outdoor adventures. They’ve given us memories, routines, and a deeper connection to the state we now call home. And we’re not done yet.
Parks Still On Our List
Even after visiting so many Tennessee State Parks, there are still plenty we’re looking forward to exploring. Part of the fun of this journey is knowing there is always another trail, another overlook, or another hidden corner of the state waiting for us.
Some of these are high on our list for the near future, while others are places we know we’ll make it to eventually as we continue working our way across Tennessee.
High On Our List
These are the state parks we’re especially excited about and hoping to visit soon:
- Cummins Falls State Park
- Reelfoot Lake State Park
- Panther Creek State Park
- Big Hill Pond State Park
- Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park
- Devil’s Backbone State Park
Still Waiting for Their Turn
These are the parks are a little further down the road for us, but they’re very much on our radar:
- Big Cypress Tree State Park
- Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park
- Picket State Park
- Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park
- North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park
- Rocky Fork State Park
Every park we add to this list feels like an open invitation. And if there’s one thing this journey has taught us, it’s that Tennessee always has more to show us than we expect.
Tennessee State Parks We’ve Visited (Complete Guide)
We’ve been slowly working our way across Tennessee’s state park system, exploring everything from waterfalls and hiking trails to historic sites and quiet lakeside escapes. Below are the parks we’ve visited so far, organized by region.
Middle Tennessee State Parks
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
A unique urban state park in downtown Nashville that blends Tennessee history with a walkable green space. We’ve visited many times and always enjoy the sweeping views of the Capitol and the educational exhibits throughout the park.
Bledsoe Creek State Park
A peaceful lakeside park perfect for easy walking trails, birdwatching, and quiet afternoons along the water.
Burgess Falls State Park
A dramatic waterfall hike featuring a series of cascades that culminate in a powerful drop into a deep limestone gorge.
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Known for its unique cedar glades and open forest landscape, this park offers a completely different feel from many of Tennessee’s wooded hikes.
David Crockett State Park
A blend of history and outdoor recreation honoring the legacy of frontiersman David Crockett, with hiking trails and peaceful lake views.
Dunbar Cave State Park
A fascinating mix of natural cave systems, Native American history, and scenic walking trails.
Edgar Evins State Park
Perched above Center Hill Lake, this park offers stunning overlooks, wooded trails, and some of the best lake views in Middle Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
One of Tennessee’s most iconic parks, known for its massive waterfalls, deep gorges, and extensive trail system. We’ve visited in multiple seasons and have several posts from different trips.
- Five Favorites: Autumn Hikes in Tennessee
- Waterfall Trails & Colored Leaves
- Favorite Places in Tennessee
- Bridge and Waterfall
- Winter at Fall Creek Falls
- Visiting Fall Creek Falls
Fiery Gizzard State Natural Area
A rugged and scenic trail system known for its challenging terrain, rock formations, and beautiful creekside hiking.
Harpeth River State Park
A collection of natural and historic sites along the Harpeth River, including hidden caves and scenic river overlooks.
Head of the Crow State Park
A newer Tennessee State Park still taking shape, offering quiet natural beauty and a less crowded outdoor experience.
Henry Horton State Park
A peaceful park along the Duck River with golf, hiking, and family-friendly outdoor activities.
Long Hunter State Park
A great trail system along Percy Priest Lake with wildflowers, shoreline views, and easy access from Nashville.
Montgomery Bell State Park
One of Tennessee’s oldest state parks, featuring historic iron works sites, lakes, and wooded hiking trails.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
One of our most-visited parks, combining waterfalls, river overlooks, and ancient Native American earthworks.
Radnor Lake State Park
A protected wildlife area just outside Nashville, known for its peaceful walking trails and abundant wildlife viewing.
Rock Island State Park
Famous for its waterfalls, swimming holes, and dramatic river scenery carved into limestone rock formations.
Savage Gulf State Natural Area
A breathtaking gorge system with deep hiking trails, overlooks, and the unforgettable Great Stone Door.
- Five Favorites: Autumn Hikes in Tennessee
- Greeter Loop Trail- Savage Gulf State Park
- Colors of Fall at the Great Stone Door
- Hiking to the Great Stone Door
- Savage Gulf State Park
Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park
A rugged wilderness area with waterfalls, gorges, and challenging terrain ideal for backcountry-style hiking.
Tims Ford State Park
A lake-centered park we return to often, perfect for swimming, boating, hiking, and family weekends.
- Five Favorites: Autumn Hikes in Tennessee
- Travis Hollow Bridge Trail
- One Last Fall Hike
- Old Spann House Trail
- Lost Creek Trail
- Travis Hollow Bridge Trail
- Marble Trail
East Tennessee State Parks
Booker T. Washington State Park
A peaceful lakeside park on Chickamauga Lake offering quiet shoreline views, picnic areas, and easy walking trails just outside Chattanooga.
Cumberland Mountain State Park
A historic park built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, featuring a scenic lake, stone structures, and easy hiking trails.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
A reconstructed British fort on the Tennessee River that brings colonial-era history to life.
Frozen Head State Park
A lesser-known gem with rugged hiking trails, mountain views, and a more remote feel than many other parks.
Roan Mountain State Park
A mountain park known for its rhododendron gardens, hiking trails, and sweeping Appalachian views.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
A historic site along the Watauga River that played a major role in early frontier history.
Warrior Path State Park
A family-friendly park in Northeast Tennessee offering lake access, trails, and a wide range of recreational activities.
West Tennessee State Parks
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
A forested escape near Memphis with towering hardwoods, scenic trails, and peaceful lake views.
Mousetail Landing State Park
A quiet Tennessee River park known for rolling hills, wooded trails, and relaxed waterfront scenery.
Natchez Trace State Park
A large, quiet park with lakes, forests, and recreation areas that feel far removed from nearby highways.
Paris Landing State Park
A scenic lakeside park on Kentucky Lake, popular for fishing, boating, and sunset views.
Port Royal State Park
A historic frontier site preserving the remains of an early Tennessee settlement and trading post.
When we first moved to Tennessee, we never imagined a simple weekend trip to a state park would grow into a years-long adventure.
What began as a way to explore our new home became one of our favorite family traditions. Along the way we’ve discovered waterfalls, climbed overlooks, walked through history, and found some of the most beautiful places in Tennessee.
We’ve still got parks left to visit, trails left to hike, and stories left to uncover. But that’s part of the fun. Because every Tennessee State Park has something unique to offer, and every visit reminds us that there is always more to discover just around the next bend in the trail.
We’ll keep exploring one park at a time—and we’ll keep updating this guide as the journey continues.
Interested in other Tennessee places to explore? Then you may be interested in these:
Thanks for coming along on this great adventure as we visit every Tennessee State Park. May you be surrounded and inspired by the natural beauty around you.
Coming Up Next:
Cheekwood Gardens & Estate: America by Rail
For More Information:
Read More From:
Follow along for more adventures near and far!
Leave a Reply