Color Blind Viewers Bring Fall to Life

September 21, 2024 |

Tennessee’s landscapes are filled with vivid greens, fiery reds, warming oranges, and bright yellows. But not everyone can fully experience its beauty.

So, the first-ever colorblind viewfinders outfitted with innovative EnChroma® lenses, designed to alleviate red-green colorblindness, were installed by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development at beautiful lookouts across the state, including many Tennessee State Parks. This special lens technology enables people with colorblindness to see a broader range of clear, vibrant colors. Now, even more travelers and residents alike can experience the beauty of Tennessee.

Check out the following state parks with viewfinders:

1. Chickasaw State Park

West TN

Viewer Location: Across the lake, opposite the boat dock | Directions • Park Map
Situated on some of the highest terrain in West Tennessee, the park’s 1,280 acres offer breathtaking views along the shoreline of Lake Placid.

Plan Your Trip

2. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

West TN

Viewer Location: Poplar Lake (near the nature center) | Directions • Park Map
Bordering the mighty Mississippi, this 13,467-acre state park has varying terrain and impeccable beauty.

Plan Your Trip

3. T.O. Fuller State Park

West TN

Viewer Location: Tires to Trails (near the interpretive center) | Directions • Park Map
Viewing the stunning Mississippi flood plains, this state park is the perfect setting for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike!

Plan Your Trip

4. Fort Pillow State Historic Park

West TN

Viewer Location: Mississippi Slip-In Overlook | Directions • Park Map
Overlooking the Mississippi River, this historic park is located 40 miles north of Memphis.

Plan Your Trip

5. Paris Landing State Park

West TN

Viewer Location: Picnic Area, East of the Lodge at Paris Landing | Directions • Park Map
Along the western shore of the Tennessee River, this viewer overlooks the 160,000-acre Kentucky Lake and offers stunning views all year round.

Plan Your Trip

6. Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park

West TN

Viewer Location: Tennessee River Folklife Interpretive Center and Museum | Directions • Park Map
View the dazzling Kentucky Lake nestled in Pilot Knob, Tennessee.

Plan Your Trip

7. Fall Creek Falls State Park

Middle TN

Viewfinder Location: Millikan’s Overlook | Directions • Park Map
A paradise of more than 20,000 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau.

Plan Your Trip

8. Savage Gulf State Park

Middle TN

Location: Laurel Gulf Overlook | Directions • Park Map

Please Note: This viewer is currently closed for construction as the park replaces the wooden overlook. The estimated time of reopening is early Fall 2025.

This park features one of Tennessee’s most scenic wilderness areas, including the nearly 19,000-acre Savage Gulf State Natural Area. The park offers approximately 60 miles of hiking to remarkable vistas, waterfalls, and historical locations such as the Stage Coach Road.

Plan Your Trip

9. Standing Stone State Park

Middle TN

Viewfinder Location: Tea Room | Directions • Park Map
A rustic park covering nearly 11,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau, noted for its outstanding scenery.

Plan Your Trip

10. Radnor Lake State Park

Middle TN

Viewfinder Location: Lake Trail | Directions • Park Map

Please Note: This viewer is currently closed as Otter Lake Road inside Radnor Lake State Park undergoes a construction project to stabilize the road and increase its accessibility. The project is intended to be completed in late Fall 2025.

The first ADA-accessible colorblind viewfinder was installed at Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville. The state park, located about 11 miles from downtown Nashville, is a 1,368-acre park with hiking trails and tons of wildlife viewing opportunities. It's a natural oasis that will make you feel worlds away from the bright lights and action of downtown Nashville. Parking is available at the West Lot near the Visitor Center. The Lake Trail is accessible to people with all-terrain wheelchairs.

Plan Your Trip

11. Montgomery Bell State Park

Middle TN

Viewfinder Location: The Lodge at Montgomery Bell | Directions • Park Map
The park features three lakes, cabins, a campground, a group camp, and a beautiful lodge and restaurant. The Colorblind Viewer looks out onto Lake Acorn and the dense foliage surrounding the shoreline.

Plan Your Trip

12. Roan Mountain State Park

East TN

Viewfinder Location: The Chesnut Ridge Overlook | Directions • Park Map
Located near the trailhead of the Chesnut Ridge Trail, the Chestnut Ridge Overlook offers a stunning view of the Highlands of Roan and features a colorblind viewfinder.

Plan Your Trip

13. Pickett CCC Memorial State Park

East TN

Viewfinder Location: Pogue Creek Canyon Overlook Trailhead | Directions • Park Map
Located at Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area at Pickett, the Pogue Creek Canyon offers a stunning view of the natural area and surrounding state forest.

Plan Your Trip

Watch the Video

Images of color blind travelers experiencing the brilliant fall colors for the first time using specially equipped viewfinders at Tennessee’s Ober Gatlinburg made national news with an emotionally-charged video that captured men seeing color for the very first time.

Fall Color Destinations in Tennessee

There are many great spots to view the changing colors of fall in Tennessee State Parks. Check out the blog below to find out when and where to view fall colors in Tennessee.

Read the Blog