August 7, 2024 | NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation to further the state’s conservation efforts and to help residents and visitors have more access to Tennessee’s great outdoors.

December 26, 2023 | NASHVILLE – Tennesseans can launch their New Year’s resolutions for healthy lifestyles with one of the free guided hikes on New Year’s Day at Tennessee State Parks throughout the state.

Tennessee State Parks Awards and links to articles

July 16, 2024 | McNAIRY COUNTY – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced a grant of $101,500 for Big Hill Pond State Park from the state’s Tire Environmental Act Program.

November 4, 2025 | Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with family around a great meal. But if you're focused on all of the cooking and cleaning, the holiday can feel more stressful than you'd like. This year, let Tennessee State Parks take on the meal, and you just gather with the people you love most. Tennessee State Parks will host Thanksgiving meals featuring the holiday staples and southern favorites! Make it more than a meal by turning your visit into a getaway with on-site accommodations and free guided hikes the day after Thanksgiving.

October 31, 2025 | NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks will hold public meetings across the state in the coming weeks to discuss site management plans specific to 14 parks.

September 12, 2025 | HILHAM – The National Rolley Hole Championship Marbles and Music Festival – the Super Bowl of marbles – rolls into Standing Stone State Park on Saturday, Sept. 13, featuring world-class marbles players.

October 2, 2025 | Some of the best campgrounds in Tennessee are located within an hour of major cities! In this article, we will explore some beautiful camping spots within one hour of Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis. This will give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the vibrant colors of autumn while experiencing the great outdoors.

Tennessee's state parks are brimming with refreshing experiences that promise both excitement and relief from those climbing temperatures.

Starting in early 2026, North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park will undergo a major improvement project to enhance visitor access and amenities. While construction is underway, the main parking area will be closed, and access to the Blue Hole will be temporarily unavailable for approximately one year.

February 17, 2021  |  As we celebrate Black History Month throughout February, we also recognize the ties to our cultural heritage. Shared and equitable access to our parks is directly tied to our mission to preserve our natural landscape and the history behind it. T. O. Fuller State Park was established for the state’s African American population in an age when segregation barred equal access to the landscape.

While many people enjoy fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee State Parks offer many spectacular spots to enjoy fall colors. If you want to enjoy fall colors in Tennessee this year, here are a few tips for where and when to travel to these beautiful destinations