Tennessee Vacation - The State's Official Travel Planning Website

Nature & Wildlife

Tennessee is a panorama of outdoor wonder. Try trails, waterfalls, bluffs, river gorges. Pack your binoculars and camera. Swing through our zoos and aquariums. Come face-to-face with sights, sounds, events you cannot get enough of. Take a leap of perspective as you wind down by gearing up.

Astounding, with larger-than-life detail, Tennessee's natural points of interest form seismic statements, such as the thundering 145-foot waterfall of Ruby Falls and the breathtaking formations underground at Tuckaleechee Caverns. Roll down your car window; marvel at the cascades, rapids and falls, the pounding force of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg.

Wend your way to boastworthy birding at Cheatham Wildlife Management Area, Kyker Bottoms Refuge and Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge. Catch world-class fishing on the Tellico River and at Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Backpack at acclaimed Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness Area. Water ski and boat in a striking setting on South Holston Lake, and whitewater it on the Nolichucky.

Hang out at the zoo and monkey around with the Chattanooga chimps at Warner Park. Banter with tropical birds, glimpse giraffes and big cats, learn about nocturnal animals at the Memphis Zoo. Touch a shark or ray; be entertained by river otters, penguins, reef fish and seahorses; buzz by the butterfly garden in the Tennessee Aquarium. It's okay to gape at the huge sharks in the world-class saltwater tank at Ripley's Aquarium. They'll be expecting you.