About Tennessee State Parks
To preserve, protect, and share Tennessee's natural and cultural resources while providing safe and quality outdoor experiences.
Tennessee State Parks Mission Statement
Protecting and Preserving
Founded in 1937, Tennessee State Parks protect and preserve the unique natural, cultural, and historic resources of Tennessee.
In addition, citizens across the state benefit from our interpretive programming, outdoor recreational areas, and volunteer opportunities.
As the most biodiverse inland state in North America, Tennessee offers distinct and varied natural landscapes, family-friendly recreational activities, numerous lodging accommodations, engaging volunteer opportunities, and hundreds of educational interpretive programs and events.
Tennessee State Park Statistics
Vision & Leadership
A thriving system of state parks that engages, enriches, and inspires all Tennesseans and our visitors.
To realize our vision to have a thriving system of state parks that engages, enriches, and inspires all Tennesseans and visitors, our leadership developed a comprehensive system plan as well as park-specific strategic management plans to manage our state parks. That vision includes commitment to our resources, providing quality visitor amenities, and delivering best-in-class operations.
Core Values
We believe there is inherent value in Tennessee's natural environment.
We believe that the observation and experience of natural beauty and processes in a setting removed from the hectic world of the day-to-day can uplift and re-create the human spirit.
We also believe there is value in physical reminders of our past. Without history, there is nothing upon which to base our understanding of the present or our dreams of the future.
Our natural and cultural resources provide context and continuity to our lives and help to make us whole. The intrinsic worth of these resources is beyond monetary consideration. We so value these things that we intend to preserve and protect them, even in the face of whatever may be the fashion of the moment, so that all may enjoy them forever.
We share these resources and protect them for the benefit of current and future generations, investing in the development of future stewards to carry our work forward. We are committed to providing parks and programs that are safe, welcoming, and inviting to everyone.
Planning Process
Tennessee State Parks are forever and for everyone. With our vision and mission positioned first and foremost, we utilize a Comprehensive System Plan and park-specific Strategic Management Plans to manage our state parks.
Park Accessibility
From ADA-accessible lodge rooms to paved walking paths and all-terrain vehicles, we are building accessibility for all into our plan.
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Discounts
Tennessee State Parks offers a variety of discounts on accommodations, gift shop merchandise, golf, and more for residents, seniors, employees, veterans, and other eligible visitors. See our Discounts page for more information.
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Veterans
Tennessee State Parks provides complimentary and discounted stays as a thank you to our veterans.
Bringing Visitors Experiences in Nature
Tennessee State Parks Interpretive Programs and Events and experiences can be found throughout the parks. From offering curated museum experiences with virtual reality to providing assistive listening devices and interpretive signage along trails, our efforts are aimed at helping everyone explore and learn about the world around us.
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Division of Archaeology
The Tennessee Division of Archaeology is dedicated to preservation of Tennessee’s historic and prehistoric resources.
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Division of Natural Areas
Connected to and surrounding our state parks are many large and small state natural areas managed by the Division of Natural Areas.
Further Conserving Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation are not only focused on preserving spaces in parks. Take a deeper look at the Archaeological and Natural Area divisions and the incredible work they're doing.
