Winter Hiking & Camping in Tennessee’s State Parks

Big Hill Pond State Park in Pocahontas, Tennessee, approximately an hour and a half east of Memphis, is potentially one of the most under-the-radar, backcountry hiking in the state. A little more than 4,000 acres of forested hills and swampy bottomlands are bordered by the Tuscumbia River and Cypress Creek in southwestern Tennessee, near the Mississippi state line. The park’s namesake may be a beautiful pond grown in with incredible cypress trees, but it’s Travis McNatt Lake which forms the very heart of the park. There are four backcountry trail shelters with bunks for backpackers, three of which definitely qualify as remote. Let the chorus of frogs lull you to sleep and listen to the whistle of the Memphis to Charleston Railroad echo through the wilderness during your winter camping trip. If you want to make camp, take advantage of 28 tent and small RV campsites. Each site has a table and a grill. The campground has a modern bathhouse with hot showers but does not have any hook-ups or dump station. Big Hill Pond’s highlights include a 70-foot observation tower with panoramic vistas of the beautiful Tennessee borderlands and the Cypress Dismal Swamp boardwalk, which winds through a lush and waterlogged landscape.

• Seasonal Highlights: Explore the Azalea Springs trail with guided hikes from park rangers around the holidays.

Chickasaw State Park in Henderson, about an hour and a half east of Memphis, has some of the most unique camping and lodging accommodations. On the hillsides above Lake Placid, at the very center of the park, are seven Works Progress Administration cabins. These cabins each have their own fireplaces and televisions, making them ideally situated for the ultimate lakeside weekend. There are six two-bedroom cabins within easy access to Lake Placid. You'll find full-size appliances in the kitchen and a wood-burning fireplace in the main living area-- making these cabins a perfect winter getaway in Tennessee. Another accommodation option in the park is the wrangler campgrounds, located near the stables for those traveling with horses. The park's 1,400 acres are a small part of the much larger Chickasaw State Forest, which encompasses more than 14,000 acres of protected lands. These woodlands and lakes are situated on some of the highest elevation landscape in West Tennessee. The main hiking trails that crisscross the hills above the lake range from easy to moderate in difficulty, making them some of the most pleasant longleaf pine woods you’ll ever stroll through. Guided horseback rides are available at the park stables. Also available to suit your camping needs are 53 RV sites along with 29 tent camping sites-- perfect for cold weather camping.

• Accessibility options: Chickasaw State Park's Accessibility Offerings include all terrain wheelchairs (available through advance registration), adult-size changing tables, some ADA-accessible lodge rooms, cabins, and campsites, and Colorblind Viewfinders. 
   
• Seasonal highlights: Join guided hikes and hatchet throwing lessons- with park rangers- to complete your camping in the snow.

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is located just minutes from Manchester, approximately two hours south of Nashville, and all of the modern conveniences a person might want or need, including stores and restaurants. Pitch your tent at one of the recently renovated campsites in Tennessee - there are 50 of them with water and electric hookups, grills, picnic tables and hard-surface pads. The dump station is open year-round for winter camping. While here, explore the history of Old Stone Fort itself. The name is actually a misnomer - it’s neither a fort, nor is it made of stone. It is actually an earthen enclosure which served as ceremonial grounds for prehistoric Native Americans that came here before the Cherokee, the Creek and other Tennessee tribes. Constructed 1,500-2,000 years ago, the entrance of the earthen enclosure is oriented to face the exact spot where the sun rises at the time of the summer solstice. The enclosure sits at the top of a large hill between the Little and Big Duck Rivers, which combine at the far end of the park. The two rivers create a dramatic landscape of deep gorges, thundering waterfalls and cliff overhangs, which the park’s hiking trails are designed to follow, easily leading hikers to the most beautiful spots. Due to the park's excellent culmination of history, natural beauty, and easy-level-hike: a visit to Old Stone Fort is a perfect family-friendly winter activity near Nashville.

• Accessibility options: View the Duck River from one of our accessible overlooks located by the Museum and Visitor Center. RV Sites 25, 35, and 41 are wheelchair-friendly and should be specifically requested when making a reservation.
   
• Seasonal highlights: enjoy ranger-led holiday hikes, birding tours, and nature-inspired craft classes this winter.

Henry Horton State Park has some of the most diverse ranges of camping and lodging accommodations for camping in the winter. There are eight cabins, 56 RV campsites, 19 tent campsites and three backcountry sites, the latter of which are located on the ridge above the river and the wetlands. There are six hike-in hammock camping sites as well. Located in Chapel Hill, the park is situated on the estate of former governor Henry Horton. Governor Horton’s property sat along the scenic Duck River, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the entire world and the longest river located entirely within the state. The number of unique activities available at Henry Horton State Park makes it a recreational paradise and one of the best places to camp in Tennessee. Anglers pull several species of bass and catfish from the calm waters of the river. Golfers enjoy the championship caliber Buford Ellington golf course, also named for one of Tennessee’s governors. A trap and skeet range for shooters is here, which includes two traps fields, five skeet fields and a gun rental on site.

• Accessibility options: Henry Horton State Park accessibility efforts include all-terrain wheelchairs, accessible paved hiking trails, and overnight ADA-compliant accommodations with advance reservations.
   
• Seasonal highlights: Indulge in winter stargazing, ranger-led holiday hikes, support animal meet & greets and much more during your cold weather camping stay.

Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee's largest and most visited state park. It also provides a variety of lodging options with tons of campsites in Tennessee. There's the newly opened Lodge Fall Creek Falls which provides a gateway to all the adventure possible in the park. Step outside the lobby and you're instantly connected to waterfalls, hiking, golfing, fishing and treetop adventures. The Lodge has 85 guest rooms equipped with modern amenities and many offer lakeside views from a balcony or patio. Lakeside and landside cabins are also available. Twenty lakeside cabins are located directly on Fall Creek Lake. Known as fishermen cabins, 10 cabins are two-story with two bedrooms and one and a half baths. The other ten are one-story, three bedrooms, two bath cabins. The landside cabins are located on a wooded hill overlooking the lake and come with a gas fireplace, patio, picnic table and grill. The park also has 222 campsites in five different areas. All sites have tables, grills, water, and electricity and are served by six bathhouses. 92 sites have sewer connections and some sites will accommodate an RV up to 65 feet in length. Spend your days challenging yourself on the Canopy Challenge Course featuring zip lines, bridge crossing and over 70 aerial obstacles. Explore the more than 56 miles of trails or go on two wheels to discover the 24 miles of mountain biking trails.

• Seasonal highlights: Experience sunset pontoon tours, Appalachian Christmas ornament making, gingerbread house-making, folk-art needle felting, and lantern night hikes. For more details and up-to-date events, explore Fall Creek Fall's event calendar.

Fiery Gizzard State Park, is one of three parks that were formerly known as South Cumberland State Park. As South Cumberland grew to protect more than 30,000 acres, the park was split to create three distinct parks: Savage Gulf State Park, Head of the Crow State Park, and Fiery Gizzard State Park. The land that is composed of the protected parks are known as some of the top hiking and camping destinations in Tennessee. Start at the Fiery Gizzard State Park Visitor’s Center in Monteagle, about 44 minutes east of Chattanooga, where you can get maps and relevant trail and winter camping information. The wildernesses of these three parks are vast, remote and contain the most strenuous but rewarding hiking trails. First is the Fiery Gizzard Trail, an approximately 12.5-mile, one-way trail connecting Grundy Forest with Foster Falls. Along the trails, you will hike along its namesake creek, through rocky gorges and deep woodlands. Be aware of the trail's challenging terrain if you plan on hiking or camping in the snow. Second is the breathtaking Savage Gulf with sweeping vista views, cascading waterfalls, historic sites and the centerpiece of it all, Stone Door. This massive rock cliff split in two some eons passed. Now, you can hike straight down the cleft, right between the rock faces. There are a number of campsites to choose from like the Foster Falls Campground that has 25 rustic campsites for small trailers or tents; primitive group camping sites that can accommodate 30-60 campers depending on the site and location; and over 90 miles of backpacking trails with 93 campsites, eight group sites and one rustic lodge, the Hobbs Cabin. Rustic accommodations not your speed? Check out this list featuring glamping in and near Chattanooga.

Looking for camping in the Smokies but want a more private winter camping experience? Opt for the rugged ridges and vast mountain expanses of Roan Mountain State Park for your cold weather camping near the Smoky Mountains. The park encompasses more than 2,000 acres of wildlife, hardwood forests, and hollows and ridges of the Roan foothills. Hikers can journey alongside creeks or mountaintops alike and explore over 12 miles of hiking trails. Of the 110 Tennessee camp sites, there are 86 RV sites with water and electric hook-ups, 20 tent sites and 4 group tent sites. There is a dump-station located at campground check-in. There is also a trio of backcountry campsites for adventures looking for an even more remote winter camping adventure. 

• Accessibility options: Roan Mountain State Park has accessible overlooks, an accessible visitor center and interpretive museum, and ADA-accessible lodge rooms, cabins, and campsites.