Nathan Bedford Forrest For Educators
Warning Alert
Campgrounds, Baseball Field, and Volleyball Court Closed for Renovations
Due to structural renovations, the Happy Hollow and Lakefront Campgrounds, the baseball field, and the volleyball court are closed. We anticipate a reopening of all areas in early 2027. Please watch our alerts and our social media accounts for the most updated information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact the park office.
GPS Information
To get the most direct route to our Park Office when using GPS, please use the park address - 1825 Pilot Knob Road Eva, TN 38333. If you use the park name, it sends you to the back gate which is the long route, depending on your starting point, and there is no cell phone reception.
Nathan Bedford Forrest Educator Programs
Want a fun way to get your students excited about learning? Why not learn with a Park Ranger?
Tennessee State Parks offer accessible, discovery-based educational experiences aligned with Tennessee’s academic standards. Choose a program for your class, plan your day at a park, and request an experience today.
Our Programs
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Field Trips
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School Outreach
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Self-guided/Teacher-led
Nathan Bedford Forrest Programs
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Meet a Ranger
Who are Rangers? What do they do? Find out! It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and education to be a Park Ranger. Join us today to explore a day in the life of a Tennessee State Park Ranger!
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 150 students
Cost: $0/student -
Reptiles of Tennessee
Students will learn about native Tennessee reptiles, including their characteristics, habitats, prey, and predators. This program will feature a live animal ambassador.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 2.LS2.2, 4.LS2.4
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 25 students
Cost: $0/student -
Tennessee Animals
Feathers and skulls and pelts, oh my! What better way to celebrate Tennessee than through learning about its native wildlife? Students will explore the characteristics of different animals that call Tennessee home in this hands-on program.
Meets: K.LS1.3, 2.LS1.1-2, 3.LS1.1, 3.LS4.1
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 25 students
Cost: $0/student -
Eyes in the Sky
How does a bird of prey use its body parts and senses to survive in the wild? In this program, students will collect evidence of a raptor's unique characteristics and how they survive in the wild in Tennessee. Be ready to meet our live raptor ambassador!
Meets: 2.LS1., 2.LS1.2, 2.LS3.1
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 45 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student -
Web of Life
In this program, students identify and model roles in a food chain to understand interactions within an ecosystem. Specifically, students will learn about each of the different roles living things play in our environment and how these jobs work together to create a functioning food web.
Meets: 4.LS2.2, 4.LS2.3
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student -
Creek Crawl
Cool off and explore the creek! Using various nets, buckets, and tools, students will examine the biodiversity in the creek and learn how to identify freshwater creatures. Students will also learn about indicators of stream health.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 4.LS2.5
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 120 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student
How to Request a Program
Program requests use the same form whether you are requesting funding support or not. Once you have submitted the form, allow 10 days for processing. Request educational program experiences at least four to six weeks in advance of the desired time frame for the program.
To complete the form:
Funding Assistance
Field trip funding may be available to remove barriers to participation.
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy (501-C3) assists schools in covering the costs of scheduled programs at a Tennessee State Park. Funds can cover bus transportation costs, park program fees, and park shelter rentals. Partial funds may be awarded. Awards are given after the field trip is completed.
When applying for a program, select “yes” on the application form if you are interested in receiving funding support.
What’s Next?
Submitting the form begins the scheduling and funding process.
The request will be in Pending status until confirmed. Allow 10 days for processing. A park staff member will email confirmation of the program and notify you of any park-related fees.
If you requested funding, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Director will email the decision to award or deny funding. Funding is processed after the program as a reimbursement. Partial funds may be awarded. In this case, the school will be responsible for any costs above the amount written in the award email.
Submitting for Funding Reimbursement
To receive reimbursement, you must provide the following documentation:
- Bus invoice
- Park invoice
- Photos
- Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
- Student and teacher feedback