Vacation at Tennessee State Parks: Our Top 9 Favorite Trip Ideas

Who:  Families, recent graduates, solo travelers, RV owners, van-lifers.

What: Curated itineraries with adventures and campsites along the way.

Where: Create your own road trip visiting any of our state parks or follow one of our pre-mapped trips.

Why: Affordable, customizable, see more of Tennessee, flexible.

Maybe you can’t take an international trip, but you still want to experience the thrill of exploring somewhere new for the first time. Road trips take you down new paths and allow you to pack lots of unique adventures into a couple of days. Curate your own or follow one of our pre-made road trips that map out overnight stays and points of interest.

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Bonus Tip: Tennessee's Trails & Byways program offers themed adventures leading you to the hidden gems across the state. Tennessee State Parks are conveniently included in these road trips, offering places for you to stay while exploring the Screaming Eagle, Top Secret, and other Trails & Byways.

Who: People looking to explore the mountains of Tennessee.

What: Cabins and camping destinations in the Tennessee mountains.

Where: Parks like Roan Mountain State Park and Rocky Fork State Park.

Why: Bucket-list item, incredible views, and hiking opportunities.

From the Cumberland Mountains to the Appalachian Mountains, there are multiple ways to experience the peaks of Tennessee at our state parks. Pitch your tent near the clear Doe River at Roan Mountain State Park or explore rugged backcountry trails at Rocky Fork State Park. You can also take in mountain views from your campsite at parks like Indian Mountain and Cove Lake.

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Who: Families looking for affordable vacations with lots of activities.

What: Establish a home base at a campsite and explore nearby areas.

Where: Any Tennessee state park with a campground.

Why: Affordable and accessible family vacation that can be planned near attractions.

Everyone deserves to rest and rejuvenate on vacation. Car camping at Tennessee state parks provides an affordable and restorative getaway centered around outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. In addition to traditional park activities, our parks offer free and low-cost staff-led programs that are great for families and foster a love for the outdoors in visitors of all ages.

With campgrounds located all over the state, your options for activities are wide open. Choose from hiking the mountains of East Tennessee, kayaking a river just outside of Nashville, exploring historical sites in West TN, and much more.

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Bonus Tip #1: Many of our campgrounds feature playgrounds. This is great for planning trips with kids.

Bonus Tip #2: As you explore campgrounds, pay attention to things like bathhouses, water, electricity, fire pits, picnic tables, and other amenities found at that site or within the campground. That information lives on park campground pages. Details about what particular sites have to offer are visible when you hover/click on sites on reserve.tnstateparks.com.

Who: Couples and families.

What: Resort-style vacation surrounded by outdoor activities.

Where: Montgomery Bell State Park, Pickwick Landing State Park, Paris Landing State Park, and Fall Creek Falls State Park.

Why: All-in-one vacation, minimal planning required, convenient for families.

Indulge in a resort-style vacation surrounded by outdoor activities at one of our lodges. A lodge stay is similar to a hotel offering on-site restaurants, lounges, pools, comfortable rooms, and access to the outdoor activities you love. The convenience our lodges offer is great for families and couples looking to get away without lots of planning or the need for outdoor gear. You can roll out of bed, grab some food from the restaurant, and hit the trails or the water. 

Who: Those who want the best of both for an affordable price.

What: Establish a home base at a cabin, campground, or lodge located near a city: Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville.

Where: Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville.

Why: Affordable lodging, explore both the city and the natural surroundings, rest peacefully.

Why not have the best of both worlds? If you’re looking to explore a city during the day, why not retreat to a peaceful and affordable cabin, lodge, or campsite at night? Tennessee State Parks offer accommodations within an hour of Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. Find a park with overnight accommodations near a city you're interested in by using our Find a Park Map.

Who: Experienced adventurers looking to enjoy the outdoors.

What: Backcountry camping, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing.

Where: Parks with backcountry camping, climbing, and whitewater rafting.

Why: Find overnight accommodations with easy access to specific activities.

Tennessee State Parks offer opportunities for adventures like backpacking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and more. If you’ve got the skills, we’ve got the outdoor spaces for you to put them to the test.

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If you’re not skilled in these activities, but you’d like to learn, make a trip out of it! Check out our upcoming events calendar to find an outdoor workshop you’re interested in.

Who: Boaters looking for easy access to the lake.

What: Cabins and campsites right on/near the lake with ample boating and fishing opportunities

Where: Parks like Pickwick Landing State Park, Tims Ford State Park, Paris Landing State Park, Norris Dam State Park, and Natchez Trace State Park.

Why: Stay on the lake with easy access to boat ramps.

Can't get enough of the lake life? Stay near the water at a cabin or campsite and enjoy easy access to state park boat ramps. Tennessee State Parks offer access to some of the most pristine lakes for fishing, boating, and water sports.

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Who: Hunters, fishers, horse owners, ATV riders.

What: Campsites, cabins, and lodges near WMA/forestry lands.

Where: Natchez Trace State Park, Chickasaw State Park, Reelfoot Lake State Park, and Tims Ford State Park. 

Why: Access to fishing, hunting, ATV riding, horse trails, and camping.

If you’re looking to spend a couple of days hitting the ATV or horse trails, fishing some of the top lakes in Tennessee, or hunting on WMA/forestry land, let Tennessee State Parks provide the overnight accommodations. Explore RV, tent, and wrangler campsites as well as cabins.

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Note about ATVs and OHVs: The use of these vehicles is not allowed in Tennessee State Parks, but may be allowed on nearby or adjacent public lands. We ask that you obey all applicable public land rules. Staff in the park offices listed above can provide that information in person or over the phone about where to ride and the rules you would need to follow.

• All Tennessee State Parks are free to enter.
• Cabins at Tennessee State Parks have a two-night minimum (and may have additional minimums at peak times).
• Campsites must be reserved at least one day in advance. Reservations can be made online or by calling the park.
• All parks with cabins offer camping as well.
• All of our campgrounds are pet-friendly and all parks with lodging have a number of pet-friendly cabins and lodge rooms.
• When you’re visiting our parks, please remember to practice responsible recreation to reduce your impact.
• Additional resources for trip planning can be found on our website.