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.
Riverside Cemetery
"Self-guided tour of resting place for 140 unknown and 40 known Confederate soldiers. Founded in 1821. Thirty acres of statues, monuments, and ...more
City: Jackson, TN
Phone: 731-424-1279
Roan Mountain State Park
"Daniel Boone was among the longhunters who traveled the Appalachian Mountains to hunt and trade. Legend says that he had to leave behind his ailing red horse on the peak of the mountain. When he returned the following spring, he found the horse alive and healthy. It is said that he named the spot Roan Mountain, in honor of his ...more
City: Roan Mountain, TN
Phone: (800) 250-8620
Rock Island State Park
"While natural attractions draw visitors from across the country to Rock Island, the area also has a rich history dating to prehistoric time. World-record fish caught in the "Blue Hole" keep fishermen coming year after year, and its true depth remains a mystery, with sunken rock pillars indicating the possibility of a collapsed underwater cave.
Four-time world freestyle kayaking champion Eric ...more
City: Rock Island, TN
Phone: 800-713-6065
Rogersville Historic District
"National Register Historic district referred to as "Tennessee's largest collection of Federal-type architecture," dating from ...more
City: Rogersville, TN
Phone: 423-272-2186
Ross's Landing
"This newly renovated park across from the Tennessee Aquarium features a river pier, a marina, a natural amphitheatre and the Chattanooga Green which is used for small festivals, concerts and for park users to capitalize on a great view of the river. There is a public boat landing area here.
As a performance venue, Ross's Landing's main stage is the ...more
City: Chattanooga, TN
Phone: (423) 643-6081
Rutherford County Courthouse & East Main Street Historic District
"Built in 1859, this pre-Civil War structure is still a working county building. This was the site of General Morgan's raid before ...more
City: Murfreesboro, TN
Phone: 615-895-1887
Salem Cemetery Battlefield
"A self-guided tour amid the monuments honoring Union and Confederate soldiers killed in the December 19, 1862 battle near Jackson. Approximately 1,000 soldiers were engaged in the battle between General Forrest's cavalry and Union troops. Welcome Center, three tour stops, battle map inlay, five monuments and historical cemetery with reference to David ...more
City: Jackson, TN
Phone: 731-424-1279
Sam Davis Home and Museum
"Featuring a historic site with 1860s home, Middle Tennessee museum and outbuildings. Learn the story of Civil War hero Sam Davis, called the "Boy Hero of the Confederacy."
The Sam Davis Home is one of Tennessee’s most significant Confederate memorial properties. Samuel (“Sam”) Davis, born here in 1842, enlisted in the Rutherford Rifles (Co. I, 1st Tennessee Infantry) in 1861 and ...more
City: Smyrna, TN
Phone: 615-459-2341
Sam Davis Trail
"A four-stop tour - site of capture with monument, site of execution with museum, cemetery where he was briefly buried and life-size statue in town ...more
City: Pulaski, TN
Phone: 931-424-4044
Sam Houston Schoolhouse
"Houston, the only person in U.S. history to be elected governor in two different states (Tennessee and Texas), moved to Maryville when he was 14 years old. At 16, he ran away from home and was adopted by the Cherokee nation. He returned to Maryville at age 19 and founded the first school built in Tennessee.
He served with distinction in ...more
City: Maryville, TN
Phone: 865-983-1550
Scarritt-Bennett Center Series
"A non-profit conference, retreat, education center in the heart of Nashville. Gothic buildings, gardens, international museum and gift ...more
City: Nashville, TN
Phone: 615-340-7500
Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park
"Alvin York, one of the nation’s most decorated war heroes, became the public face of the Congressional Medal of Honor after capturing 35 German machine guns and 132 prisoners in the Argonne Forest in 1918. York was a hard-working, hard-fighting sharpshooter, a simple country boy and a religious pacifist who displayed tremendous courage, calm and common sense in taking charge ...more
City: Pall Mall, TN
Phone: 931-879-6456
Sheriff Buford Pusser Home & Museum
"The Buford Pusser home and museum is the real home, furnishings and memorabilia of the late Buford ...more
City: Adamsville, TN
Phone: 731-632-4080
Shiloh National Military Park
"Established in 1894 to preserve the scene of the first major battle in the Western theater of the Civil War, Shiloh is considered one of the best preserved battlefields in the Nation. Besides preserving the site of the bloody April 1862 battle in Tennessee, the park commemorates the subsequent siege, battle, and occupation of the key railroad junction at nearby ...more
City: Shiloh, TN
Phone: 731-689-5696
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
William B. Clark Conservation Area
"William B. Clark Conservation Area is a 460-acre natural area along the Wolf River in Fayette County located approximately 1 mile north of Rossville, TN. The natural area protects an un-channelized section of the Wolf River including meanders, sloughs, and bottomland hardwood forests. The river and its sloughs provide excellent habitat for rare and endangered freshwater mussels and other aquatic ...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 owner's father. The area is significant for both ecological and historical reasons. The ecological aspects are exceptional due to the occurrence of a rare Southern Appalachian bog community. The bogs contain cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and tawny cotton-grass (Eriophorum virginicum), both rare species in ...more
City: Ducktown, TN
Phone: 931-484-9571
Windrock Campground
"Windrock Campground is located two miles from Windrock Mountain, known as the Coal Creek OHV Area (72,000 acres with 400 miles of riding trails). Tranquil setting, family oriented camping for tents and RVs/campers with a view of the ...more
City: Oliver Springs, TN
Phone: 865-435-3939
Wolf River
"Wolf River's unchannelized headwaters include lush wetlands and its lower stretches contain refuges of undisturbed forest in the heart of ...more
City: Memphis, TN
Phone: 901-452-6500
Woods, Wonders and Wildlife Trail
"Perched high on “the mountain,” as the Cumberland Plateau is often called locally; you’ll find this tour on the Cumberland Plateau Nature Trail full of charming towns and woodland solitude. The Southern Tour will give you a multitude of sensory experiences from the quite peace of ancient Old Growth forest at Piney Falls and Savage Gulf State Natural Areas, to ...more
City: Adams, TN
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
See more May events »
Turtle Capitol
Called "Turtle Capital of the World," Reelfoot Lake also features thousands of sliders, stinkpots, mud and map turtles.











