Parks & Natural Areas
Tennessee is a rich and varied place with mile-high mountains in the east, the grand Mississippi River in the west and 19,000 miles of sparkling rivers in between. Parks, forests, birding, hunting, camping and water, water everywhere--Tennessee has a mind-boggling array of natural resources.
Investigate the beauty and mystery of Reelfoot, a cypress-filled natural lake in Tennessee's northwest corner, created by a series of earthquakes, where dozens of species of fish and shore and wading birds are harbored, including golden and bald eagles. Grab your binoculars and explore the diversity of habitats, stretching 65 miles alongside the Tennessee River, on Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge which provide ample feeding, nesting and resting areas for 301 bird species. Get spritzed by the highest waterfall in the eastern United States, Fall Creek Falls, laced with cascades, gorges, streams, and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber. Stride a celebrated riverfront greenway, Chattanooga's Riverpark, and cross America's longest pedestrian bridge, the Walnut Street Bridge, spanning the Tennessee River as it flows south-southwest. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the largest national park in the east and America's most visited. A tour of the Smokies, by any means of locomotion, offers panoramic views, tumbling mountain streams, weathered historic buildings and uninterrupted forest stretching to the horizon.
Paris Historic Downtown
"Unique shops and cafes surround one of the oldest courthouses in Tennessee with antique stores and walking tours of the historic downtown ...more
City: Paris, TN
Phone: 731-642-1030
Percy Warner Park
"Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, collectively known as The Warner Parks, are managed by the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation of Nashville and Davidson County. The Warner Parks are the largest municipally administered parks in Tennessee and together span 2684 acres of forest and field, 9 miles from downtown Nashville.
Over 500,000 people visit the Parks annually to utilize ...more
City: Nashville, TN
Phone: (615) 352-6299
Pickett State Park
"Dramatic sandstone cliffs, stone arches, rock shelters and rushing mountain streams make Pickett State Park on the Cumberland Plateau a scenic wonderland. Unique microclimates form around these geologic formations, creating havens where diverse flora and fauna thrive. In Tennessee, Pickett is second only to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in biodiversity.
Rare plants, such as Cumberland sandwort, Lucy Braun’s snakeroot, ...more
City: Jamestown, TN
Phone: 877-260-0010
Pickwick Landing State Park
"Pickwick Landing was a riverboat stop dating from the 1840s. In the 1930s, during the Depression, the site was chosen for one of the Tennessee Valley Authority's dams on the Tennessee River. What today comprises the park was once the living area for the TVA construction crews and their families. The property passed from TVA to the Tennessee State Park ...more
City: Pickwick Dam, TN
Phone: 800-250-8615
Pilot Knob/Nathan Bedford Forest State Park
"Tennessee River Folklife Museum sits atop the highest point in West Tennessee. Displays, exhibits and programs offered. Wildlife ...more
City: Eva, TN
Phone: 800-714-7305
Pin Oak Lodge at Natchez Trace State Park
"With the many acres of scenic woodlands, the park includes four lakes, a swimming beach, a 47 room resort inn and restaurant complex, cabins, group lodge, camping areas, picnicking sites, playgrounds, a ball field, a regulation pistol firing range, picturesque hiking trails, a wrangler camp, 250 miles of horse riding trails, a park store and archery range. Located at I-40, ...more
City: Wildersville, TN
Phone: 800-250-8616
Pittman Center Heritage Museum
"The community of Pittman Center had a strong desire to showcase its cultural heritage, and out of that desire came the Pittman Center Heritage Museum, located in the new Pittman Center Elementary School. The motto for the museum is “heritage is that which we have received from our ancestors and are obligated to pass on,” and the museum passes that ...more
City: Gatlinburg, TN
Phone: 865-436-5499
Point Park
"Point Park commemorates the 1863 battles for Chattanooga. Point Park Visitor Center houses the James Walker Painting, "Battle of Lookout ...more
City: Lookout Mountain, TN
Phone: 423-821-7786
President Andrew Johnson Museum & Library
"First (1841) college building. Includes President's personal books and Tusculum College archives on display. Oldest college in Tennessee. 23rd oldest in ...more
City: Greeneville, TN
Phone: 800-729-0256
Randolph Bluff Historic Site
"Just past the Randolph United Methodist Church, you’ll find one of the best views of the Mississippi River, high above the floodplain on the second Chickasaw Bluff. A Civil War historical marker describes the
area’s significance including Fort Wright (now private property) near this spot. The 1861 fort served not only as a defensive position for the
Confederates on the ...more
City: Randolph, TN
Phone: 615-329-4441
Red Clay State Historic Park
"Red Clay was the last seat of Cherokee government before the tribe's forced removal on the Trail of Tears. The spring on site supplied water during council meetings of chiefs. The Cherokee capital was moved here from Georgia in 1832 when that state stripped the tribe of the right to govern itself.
The Trail of Tears actually began here as well, ...more
City: Cleveland, TN
Phone: (423) 478-0339
Reelfoot Lake State Park
"The earth cracked, the river flowed backward and a dramatic, new landscaped took shape. The New Madrid Earthquakes of December 1811 through February 1812 caused soil liquification, warping, landslides, fissuring and ejections that forever changed the northwest corner of Tennessee. A series of four violent earthquakes felt as far away as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Norfolk, Virginia, formed Reelfoot Lake. Some ...more
City: Tiptonville, TN
Phone: 731-253-8003
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
"Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1941 to manage the northern third of Reelfoot Lake as a refuge for migratory birds. Additional lands acquired in Southwestern Kentucky expanded the refuge to it s current 10,428 acres. The proximity of Reelfoot Lake and the refuge to the Mississippi river has always made the area a major stopover and wintering ground ...more
City: Union City, TN
Phone: 731-538-2481
Reelfoot Scenic Boat Cruises
"A tradition at Reelfoot Lake--since 1961--cruise boats piloted by experienced naturalists provide the best way to view and experience Reelfoot's most interesting areas. Your cruise tours the islands, flooded timber and lily pads as state park naturalists offer insight and information about all aspects of the lake. Cruises provide a great opportunity to view birds, including Great Blue Herons and ...more
City: Tiptonville, TN
Phone: 731-253-9652
Rice 18th Century Gristmill
"The Rice Family operated the mill in Union County from 1798 - 1935 when TVA moved it to Norris Dam. During the summer the mill grinds ...more
City: Lake City, TN
Phone: 865-494-0720
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
Site marks the home of the 17th president, who succeeded Lincoln and oversaw Reconstruction. Contains a ...more
City: Greeneville, TN
Phone: 423-638-3551
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers access to the Tennessee portion of the Appalachian Trail, or ...more
City: Gatlinburg, TN
Phone: (865) 436-1200
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River passes through 90 miles of scenic gorges and valleys containin ...more
City: Oneida, TN
Phone: 423-286-7275
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Cedars of Lebanon State Park is named for the dense cedar forest that existed in the biblical lands of Le ...more
City: Lebanon, TN
Phone: 800-713-5180
Cherokee National Forest
Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol.
The 640,000-acre Cherokee ...more
City: Cleveland, TN
Phone: (423) 476-9700
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge lies in the Lower Mississippi River floodplain along the Chickasaw Blu ...more
City: Ripley, TN
Phone: (731) 635-7621
Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge is located four miles east of Dover, in Stewart County, Tennessee, ...more
City: Dover, TN
Phone: 931-232-7477
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
The site of the first decisive Union victory of the Civil War. A visitor center explains the importance o ...more
City: Dover, TN
Phone: 931-232-5706
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge along the Hatchie River puts wildlife first. A drive around O'Neal Lake features wetland hab ...more
City: Stanton, TN
Phone: 731-772-0501
Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife viewing and nature walks available. Hiwassee Refuge is closed from Nov. 1-Feb. 28, except at des ...more
City: Birchwood, TN
Phone: 800-262-6704
Kyker Bottoms Refuge
Kyker Bottoms Refuge is a 350-acre area in southern Blount County owned and managed by the Tennessee Wild ...more
City: Maryville, TN
Phone: 865-856-8691
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge was established as an inviolate sanctuary for wintering waterfowl in 1 ...more
City: Union City, TN
Phone: 731-538-2481
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area
Nestled between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Native wildlife abounds as well as a maintained herd of e ...more
City: Golden Pond, TN
Phone: 800-525-7077
Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness and Buzzard Point
Natural wilderness area with waterfalls, forests, unique rock formations, deep gorges and trails for hiki ...more
City: Dayton, TN
Phone: 423-566-2229
Lower Hatchie Wildlife Refuge
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) sits along the lower 17 miles of the Hatchie River in wester ...more
City: Henning, TN
Phone: 731-738-2296
Lucius Burch Natural Area
The natural area is a remnant of historic river meanders, bald cypress-water tupelo swamps, bottomland ha ...more
City: Ellendale, TN
Phone: 901-382-0235
Manus Road Cedar Glade
Manus Road is a 15-acre natural area in Rutherford County about 10 miles east of Murfreesboro. It support ...more
City: Rutherford County, TN
May Prairie
May Prairie boasts one of Tennessee's most diverse plant communities, with more than 300 species, 25 of ...more
City: Manchester, TN
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Bordering on the mighty Mississippi River, two-thirds of this 13,467-acre park are bottomland hardwood fo ...more
City: Millington, TN
Phone: 800-471-5293
Natchez Trace Parkway
The 444-mile Parkway commemorates the "Old" Natchez Trace, beginning as an animal path and progressing ...more
City: Pasquo, TN
Phone: 800-305-7417
Obed Wild & Scenic River
Recreation includes whitewater kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, hiking, fishing and picnicking. A sceni ...more
City: Wartburg, TN
Phone: 423-346-6294
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail follows the Revolutionary War route of Patriot militia m ...more
Phone: 864-936-3477
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1941 to manage the northern third of Reelfoot Lake a ...more
City: Union City, TN
Phone: 731-538-2481
Savage Gulf State Natural Area
Savage Gulf, a 15,590-acre natural area, is carved into the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau in Gru ...more
City: Palmer, TN
Phone: 931-779-3532
Sequatchie Cave State Natural Area
Sequatchie Cave is a 10-acre, biologically significant, natural area where Owen Spring Branch flows from ...more
City: Jasper, TN
Phone: 423-942-2552
Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge
Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary with recreational use by the general public. The 31 ...more
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-525-9400
Shiloh National Military Park
Established in 1894 to preserve the scene of the first major battle in the Western theater of the Civil W ...more
City: Shiloh, TN
Phone: 731-689-5696
Short Springs Natural Area
Beautiful, peaceful nature preserve with wildlife and walking trails located on the edge of the city. ...more
City: Tullahoma, TN
Phone: 931-455-5497
Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area
Stillhouse Hollow Falls is a 90-acre state natural area named for its most significant feature, 75-feet S ...more
City: Summertown, TN
Stinging Fork Pocket Wilderness
Natural wilderness area with forests, unique rock formations, deep gorges and trails for hiking. ...more
City: Spring City, TN
Phone: 423-566-2229
Stones River National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River was one of the bloodiest and most significant battles of the Civil War. ...more
City: Murfreesboro, TN
Phone: 615-893-9501
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge has more than 50,000 acres on Kentucky Lake in Northwest Tennessee and ...more
City: Paris, TN
Phone: 731-642-2091
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Nature walks, lakeside areas, open horseback riding, hunting, boat ramps, migratory bird sanctuary, eagle ...more
City: Camden, TN
Phone: 800-225-7469
The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
Partners with organizations and individuals across the state to tell the whole story of America's greate ...more
City: Murfreesboro, TN
Phone: 615-898-2947
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail commemorates the removal of the Cherokee and the paths that 17 ...more
City: Multi-city, TN
Phone: (505) 988-6888
Twin Arches State Natural Area
Twin Arches state natural area is approximately 1,500 acres located in parts of Fentress, Scott, and Pick ...more
City: Oneida, TN
Phone: 865-569-9778
Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness Area
Trail features a 317-acre natural area, 110-foot falls, two lesser falls and cave, eight mile round trip, ...more
City: Sparta, TN
Phone: (931) 836-3552
Walker Branch Natural Area
Walker Branch is a 225-acre natural area located just miles south of Savannah in Hardin County. The prope ...more
City: Pittsburg Landing, TN
Walls of Jericho
The Walls of Jericho is a 750-acre natural area that is within the 8,943-acre Bear Hollow Mountain Wildli ...more
City: Pitcher Ridge, TN
Phone: (615) 532-0431
Walterhill Floodplain
Walterhill Floodplain State Natural Area is a 34-acre natural area located in Rutherford County. It is un ...more
City: Walterhill, TN
Phone: 615-898-2523
Washmorgan Hollow
Washmorgan Hollow, a sheltered ravine on the Eastern Highland Rim in Jackson County, is an excellent habi ...more
City: Gainesboro, TN
Phone: (615) 383-9909
Watauga River
Watauga River Bluffs is a 50-acre natural area located in Carter County along the Watauga River. Its most ...more
City: Johnson City, TN
Phone: (800) 238-2264
William B. Clark Conservation Area
William B. Clark Conservation Area is a 460-acre natural area along the Wolf River in Fayette County loca ...more
City: Rossville, TN
Phone: 731-512-1369
William R. Davenport Refuge
William Davenport Refuge is 120-acre natural area located in Polk County. It was named after the previous ...more
City: Ducktown, TN
Phone: 931-484-9571
Sunk Lake
Sunk Lake supports excellent examples of bald cypress swamp, bottomland hardwood forest, and emergent marsh aquatic habitat. The diversity of wetland and upland communities offer a wide range of habitat for waterfowl and other birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and rare plant species ...more
City: Lauderdale, TN
Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness Area
"Virgin Falls is a 1,157-acre natural area located adjacent to the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness in White County. The natural area is named for Virgin Falls, which is formed by an underground stream that emerges from a cave, then drops over a 110-foot high cliff before disappearing into another cave at the bottom of the sink. The area is noted ...more
City: Sparta, TN
Phone: (931) 836-3552
Volunteer Princess Cruises
"Luxurious and fully climate controlled, the Volunteer Princess departs from Volunteer Landing Marina in downtown Knoxville. The chefs prepare your meal fresh on board, and every outing is a special occasion. Enjoy sunset dinner cruises, champagne brunch cruises, and more. Also, available for corporate and private ...more
City: Knoxville, TN
Phone: 865-541-4556
Walker Branch Natural Area
"Walker Branch is a 225-acre natural area located just miles south of Savannah in Hardin County. The property was purchased with wetland acquisition funds by TWRA who cooperatively manages the site with the Natural Areas Program. It is located in the West Tennessee Uplands, a subunit of the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province. The preserve straddles the immediate floodplain of the ...more
City: Pittsburg Landing, TN
Walls of Jericho
"The Walls of Jericho is a 750-acre natural area that is within the 8,943-acre Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Both of the public lands on the Tennessee and Alabama side total 21,453 acres. The initiative to acquire this land was a lengthy project completed by The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee and Alabama. The natural area is approximately twelve miles ...more
City: Pitcher Ridge, TN
Phone: (615) 532-0431
Walterhhill Floodplain
"Walterhill Floodplain State Natural Area is a 34-acre natural area in Rutherford County. It is uniquely different from most natural areas in that it is primarily comprised of an agricultural field. Its main function as a natural area is to protect, maintain, and restore a healthy population of a rare plant species, the Stones River bladderpod (Lesquerella stonensis), which grows ...more
City: Walterhill, TN
Phone: 615-898-2523
Walterhill Floodplain
"Walterhill Floodplain State Natural Area is a 34-acre natural area located in Rutherford County. It is uniquely different from most natural areas in that it is primarily comprised of an agricultural field. Its main function as a natural area is to protect, maintain, and restore a healthy population of a rare plant species, the Stones River ...more
City: Walterhill, TN
Phone: 615-898-2523
Warner Park Nature Center
"The area's foremost provider of environmental education and outdoor recreation programs. Free programs, activities and services for park visitors.
The Warner Parks are open dawn - 11 p.m. ...more
City: Nashville, TN
Phone: 615-352-6299
Warriors Path State Park Golf Course On the Tennessee Golf Trail
"An 18-hole course designed by George Cobb. Bent grass greens, Bermuda fairways and tees overseeded for winter play. Located on the shores of Fort Patrick Henry Lake, the course is along rolling countryside and has a scenic view of the lake from the No. 5 ...more
City: Kingsport, TN
Phone: 423-323-4990
Washmorgan Hollow
"Washmorgan Hollow, a sheltered ravine on the Eastern Highland Rim in Jackson County, is an excellent habitat for both plants and animals. Owned by the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee, this 73-acre natural area has an uncommonly rich and diverse flora. Steep slopes, dropping 200-300 feet, separate winding ridges. A perennial stream creates a waterfall at the head of the hollow, ...more
City: Gainesboro, TN
Phone: (615) 383-9909
Watauga River
"The Watauga River tailwater begins just below Wilbur Dam, in Elizabethton, TN. The stream is well known for its trophy rainbow and brown trout fishing. The upper section offers some public access, for wading. However, most of the trophy section is only accessible by boat. Within its 16 miles of fishable trout water, the Watauga River has one of the ...more
City: Johnson City, TN
Phone: (800) 238-2264
Watauga River Bluffs
"Watauga River Bluffs is a 50-acre natural area located in Carter County along the Watauga River. Its most conspicuous feature is the steep slope that drops more than 200 feet to the river's edge. The slope and the narrow bluffs make up most of the 50 acres. It is ecology noteworthy because Watauga River Bluff supports the largest known population ...more
City: Johnson City, TN
WC Johnson Park Nature Trail
"The boardwalk runs along laterals of the famous Wolf River, preserving natural vegetation and providing protected wildlife habitats. Interpretive signage and outdoor nature classroom make it a good stop for outdoor education ...more
City: Collierville, TN
Phone: 901-853-3225
West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center
"An Authentic Southern Experience!
Just off I-40, Exit 56, (behind McDonald's) in Brownsville, Tennessee, is the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Opened in 1999, the center offers visitors a taste of what West Tennessee has to offer — a staging area for your West Tennessee adventure.
Learn more about Brownsville's Historic Homes, the famous "Mind Field," Dunbar Carver Museum, the ...more
City: Brownsville, TN
Phone: 731-779-9000
Wetlands Water Park
"Five water slides, kids' pools, nature trails and picnic areas. Groups and parties welcome. "Fantastic Fridays" events all ...more
City: Jonesborough, TN
Phone: 423-753-1553
White Lightning Trail
"The White Lightning Trail is waiting for you: a picturesque drive through the fertile valleys and rustic charm of the Tennessee hills. After leaving the city limits, you’ll pass through the Great Smoky Mountains into historic country music — Maynardville — home to country music greats like Chet Atkins and Roy Acuff. Heading north, you’ll travel along the same route ...more
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Upcoming events
Date: May 17, 2013 - May 19, 2013
Memphis in May - BBQ
Location: Memphis, TN
Date: May 17, 2013 - May 19, 2013
Big Bubba's Make-A-Wish Celebrity Softball Game, Family Night and Softball Tournament 2013
Location: Hendersonville, TN
Date: May 17, 2013 - May 19, 2013
Annual Smoky Mountain Classic Chevy Roundup
Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
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What is a locavore?
Besides being the New Oxford American Dictionary's 2007 Word of the Year, a locavore is a person who buys locally grown foods and ingredients as an eco-friendly measure, eliminating the need for extra preservatives and shipping costs.
