10 of the Best Destinations for Fall Break in Tennessee

Highlights: Beautiful hiking trails, a lake with fishing, and a golf course.

Cumberland Mountain is surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Cumberland Plateau. The park boasts a beautiful lake, intriguing history, and picturesque hiking trails. It also features an 18-hole golf course, an on-site restaurant, an aviary, and a museum. Additionally, visitors can take a trip to nearby Ozone Falls, a stunning 110-foot waterfall that has been featured in the movie "The Jungle Book".

Where to Stay: The Park offers campsites that are perfect for tents, trailers, and RVs, some of which offer full hookups. The park also has a variety of cabins that are perfect for a family getaway. The cabins range in size from one to three bedrooms with the largest accommodating up to 10 guests. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen, a fireplace, and a private deck, screened porch, or picnic area.

Highlights: Access to Kentucky Lake, golf course, on-site lakeside dining, hiking.

About the Park: Paris Landing State Park, situated on the widest part of Kentucky Lake, is a haven for those who love lake activities such as phenomenal bass fishing and boating. It's an excellent place to spend a vacation, with its unique overnight accommodations and on-site dining. Spend your days swimming, exploring the hiking trails, setting off on a boating adventure, or teeing off at the golf course.

Where to Stay: The Lodge at Paris Landing sits on the shores of Kentucky Lake, offering commanding views of the water, spacious guest rooms, and an on-site reaturant. The park also offers RV sites with full-hookups, primitive tent sites, camping cabins, and deluxe cabins. Camping cabins are smaller and offer fewer amenities while deluxe cabins can accommodate large groups and offer lakefront views.

Highlights: Boating, fishing, and hiking with beautiful lake views.

Tims Ford State Park is located on a Bill Dance Signature Lake, considered one of the most picturesque in the state and offering some of the top bass fishing. The hiking trails offer stunning views and fun challenges like a suspension bridge. Visitors can rent paddling equipment at the park marina to explore from a fresh perspective.The park also features an 18-hole golf course.

Where to Stay: The park also offers a variety of camping options including RV sites, primitive tent sites, backcountry camping, and paddle-in island camping. The RV sites are equipped with water and electric hookups, and some sites offer sewer hookups as well.

Highlights: Access to Pickwick Lake, pontoon and paddling rentals, incredible fishing, golf course, and on-site dining.

About the Park: Pickwick Lake may be known for summer fun, but the fall holds untapped potential. The hiking, fishing, and boating make this park a great destination for those in West Tennessee looking to enjoy the season. There is also an 18-hole golf course, an aviary, and a disc golf course. The park marina offers pontoon boat rentals so you can cruise the lake and observe the fall colors.

Where to Stay: The Lodge at Pickwick Landing is a stunning destination with guest rooms overlooking the lake, an on-site restaurant, and an indoor pool. For those looking to sleep under the stars, the park offers RV sites with water and electric hookups at the Main Campground and primitive tent sites on the shores of Pickwick Lake at Bruton Branch Campground. The park also has two types of cabins available for families, including villas with lake views and standard cabins tucked away in the woods.

Highlights: Access to Center Hill Lake, close to Burgess and Cummins Falls, unique campsites, and affordable cabins.

Edgar Evins State Park is a picturesque destination located on Center Hill Lake, nestled in the hills of middle Tennessee. The park offers hiking, fishing, and boating. Visitors can also visit iconic waterfalls at nearby Cummins Falls State Park and Burgess Falls State Park. Canoeing on the nearby Caney River is also a fun fall activity.

Where to Stay: Camping options include unique wooden platform sites for RVs and tents, and primitive tent sites in the woods. All platform sites come with water and electric hookups, a picnic table, grill, and fire pit, with some offering views of Center Hill Lake. The park also offers affordable cabins that sleep up to six, with one pull-out couch upstairs and two beds downstairs.

Highlights: Wildlife viewing (Fall Pelican Migration), pontoon tours, unique hiking, lakeside camping, and cabins.

Located in the northwest corner of Tennessee, Reelfoot Lake State Park is a unique destination situated on Tennessee's only natural lake. The 15,000-acre lake is filled with picturesque cypress trees and known for its fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can even catch a glimpse of the annual migration of white pelicans in October.

Where to Stay: The park offers RV and tent sites with water and electric hookups and primitive tent sites. Premium cabins located on the lakeshore are ideal for families, accommodating up to six to eight guests depending on the layout. Each cabin has a back porch with a picnic table, grill, and fire pit, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a cookout during the cooler fall evenings.

Highlights: Charming cabins and close proximity to Dale Hollow Lake, Cummins Falls State Park, and Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park.

Standing Stone is a serene fall break destination on the Cumberland Plateau. With plenty of activities to enjoy, from fishing on Kelly Lake to hiking and viewing fall colors along the trails, you'll be sure to make some unforgettable memories. Plus, the park is conveniently located near Cummins Falls State Park, home to one of Tennessee's most popular waterfalls. And don't miss the chance to explore Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park, where you can visit Hull's cabin, the museum, and the mouth of Bunkum Cave.

Where to Stay: The park offers cozy and charming historic cabins, complete with wood-burning fireplaces.

Highlights: Horseback riding rentals, lake activities, close to Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park.

Chickasaw State Park is a serene destination in west Tennessee, surrounded by thousands of acres of state forest and towering pines. The park offers a beautiful lake for fishing and paddling, as well as guided horseback riding through the park's stables.

Where to Stay: Built in the 1930s, the park's historic cabins provide a glimpse into the past with all of the modern amenities you'll need for a comfortable stay. The park also offers larger standard cabins with great views of the lake and camping.

Highlights: Boating, fishing, and hiking with scenic mountain views.

Norris Dam State Park, located just 30 minutes north of Knoxville, is situated on Norris Reservoir, offering more than 800 miles of shoreline and a variety of recreational water activities. The park features several hiking trails, including the Lakeside Loop Trail, which offers scenic views of the mountains and the lake. Visitors can also enjoy boating and fishing on the reservoir, which is known for its excellent bass fishing.

Where to Stay: Tucked in the woods, the historic cabins at Norris Dam invite you to disconnect and slow down. Providing only the essentials and perks like screened in porches and wood-burning fireplaces, you'll find it easy to relax and recharge. The park also offers larger standard cabins.

Highlights: Access to Fort Patrick Henry Lake, golf course, hiking, and mountain biking.

Warriors' Path State Park is a premier destination for boating, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Located on the shores of the Patrick Henry Reservoir in upper east Tennessee, this park also features a nationally recognized golf course, a marina with concessions, and a Boundless Playground where children of all physical and mental abilities to play together.

Where to Stay: The park offers three campgrounds. The Main Campground and Moody Bluff Campground offer campsites for RVs and tents with hookups, while a Cedar Ridge Campground is available specifically for hammock campers.