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List of Tennessee state parks and natural areas facts for kids

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Welcome to the amazing world of Tennessee's outdoor spaces! This guide will tell you all about the special state parks and natural areas where you can explore, learn, and have fun. These places are protected so everyone can enjoy Tennessee's beautiful nature and history.


Tennessee State Parks: Your Outdoor Adventure Awaits!

Tennessee is home to 57 amazing state parks. These parks are managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). They offer everything from hiking trails to historic sites.

Exploring the Largest and Smallest Parks

The biggest park is the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail. It stretches a long way, from Cumberland Gap near the Virginia border all the way to Prentice Cooper State Forest. This forest is located in Marion County, close to Chattanooga. On the other hand, the smallest state park is Bicentennial Capitol Mall. It is just 19 acres (about 7.7 hectares) in size.

Discovering Tennessee's State Parks by Size

Here is a list of some of Tennessee's state parks. You can see their size and when they were created.

Park Name County/Counties Size Year
Established
acres ha
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park Davidson 19 7.7 1996
Big Cypress Tree State Park Weakley 330 130 1973
Big Hill Pond State Park McNairy 4,138 1,675 1977
Big Ridge State Park Union 3,687 1,492 1934
Bledsoe Creek State Park Sumner 164 66 1973
Booker T. Washington State Park Hamilton 353 143 1937
Burgess Falls State Park Putnam 350 140 1971
Cedars of Lebanon State Park Wilson 9,420 3,810 1937
Chickasaw State Park Chester 1,435 581 1937
Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park Pickett 58 23 1997
Cove Lake State Park Campbell 673 272 1937
Cumberland Mountain State Park Cumberland 1,720 700 1938
Cummins Falls State Park Jackson 211 85 2011
David Crockett State Park Lawrence 1,100 450 1959
David Crockett Birthplace State Park Greene 105 42 1973
Dunbar Cave State Park Montgomery 110 45 1973
Edgar Evins State Park DeKalb 6,300 2,500 1975
Fall Creek Falls State Park Van Buren, Bledsoe 26,000 11,000 1935
Fort Loudoun State Historic Park Monroe 1,200 490 1977
Fort Pillow State Park Lauderdale 1,642 664 1971
Frozen Head State Park Morgan 24,000 9,700 1970
Harpeth River State Park Cheatham, Davidson 520 210 1978
Harrison Bay State Park Hamilton 1,200 490 1937
Henry Horton State Park Marshall 1,523 616 1960s
Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park Polk — — 1972
Indian Mountain State Park Campbell 213 86 1971
Johnsonville State Historic Park Humphreys 2,000 810 1971
Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Claiborne,
Cumberland, Hamilton, Marion, Morgan,
Rhea, Scott, Sequatchie		 31,500 12,700 1998
Long Hunter State Park Davidson 2,600 1,100 1978
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Shelby 12,539 5,074 1944
Montgomery Bell State Park Dickson 3,782 1,531 1943
Mousetail Landing State Park Perry 1,247 505 1986
Natchez Trace State Park Henderson 10,154 4,109 1955
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park Benton 2,587 1,047 1929
Norris Dam State Park Anderson, Campbell 4,038 1,634 1953
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park Coffee 776 314 1973
Panther Creek State Park Hamblen 1,444 584 1967
Paris Landing State Park Henry 841 340 1945
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Pickett 19,200 7,800 1942
Pickwick Landing State Park Hardin 681 276 1969
Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park Madison 1,200 490 1966
Port Royal State Park Montgomery, Robertson 26 11 1978
Radnor Lake State Park & Natural Area Davidson 1,368 554 1973
Red Clay State Park Bradley 263 106 1979
Reelfoot Lake State Park Lake, Obion 280 110 1925
Roan Mountain State Park Carter 2,006 812 1959
Rock Island State Park Warren, White 883 357 1969
Rocky Fork State Park Unicoi 2,036 824 2012
Savage Gulf State Park Grundy, Sequatchie 425 172 2023
Seven Islands State Birding Park Knox 425 172 2013
Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park Fentress 295 119 1967
South Cumberland State Park Franklin, Marion, Grundy 30,899 12,504 1978
Standing Stone State Park Overton 855 346 1939
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area Carter 70 28 1975
Tims Ford State Park Franklin 2,200 890 1978
T. O. Fuller State Park Shelby 1,138 461 1938
Warriors' Path State Park Sullivan 950 380 1952

Tennessee's State Natural Areas: Protecting Unique Places

Tennessee also has 85 special places called state natural areas. These areas are set aside to protect unique plants, animals, and natural features. They are divided into two main types:

  • Class I – Scenic-Recreational: These are beautiful places where you can enjoy nature and do fun activities.
  • Class II – Natural-Scientific: These areas are important for science. They protect rare plants, animals, or special landforms.

Some of these natural areas have limited access to protect their delicate environments. For example, nine areas are not open to the public at all. One, Hubbard's Cave, has limited access during the summer.

Exploring Tennessee's Natural Areas

Here is a list of some of Tennessee's state natural areas. You can see their type, size, and how you can visit them.

Park Name Class County/Counties Size Property Owner Access Status
(Public/Private)		 Year
Established
acres ha
Auntney Hollow State Natural Area II Lewis 26 11 Private Private – No access 2002
Barnett's Woods State Natural Area II Montgomery 40 16 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1995
Bays Mountain State Natural Area I Sullivan 3,650 1,480 City of Kingsport Public – Full access 1973
Beaman Park State Natural Area II Davidson 1,678 679 Nashville Parks & Recreation Public – Full access 2013
Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area I Weakley 270 110 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Bone Cave State Natural Area II Van Buren 400 160 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1974
Burgess Falls State Natural Area I Putnam 217 88 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Campbell Bend Barrens State Natural Area II Roane 35 14 Private Public – Limited access 2006
Carroll Cabin Barrens State Natural Area II Decatur 250 100 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2002
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area II Franklin 931 377 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1975
Cedars of Lebanon State Forest Natural Area II Wilson 2,690 1,090 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1974
Chimneys State Natural Area I Marion 33 13 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1999
Coldiz Cove State Natural Area II Fentress 165 67 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1984
Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area II Davidson, Wilson 140 57 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1995
Crowder Cemetery Barrens State Natural Area II Roane 15 6.1 Private Public – Limited access 2006
Devil's Backbone State Natural Area I Lewis 950 380 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1997
Dog Cove State Natural Area & Beecher Wallace Homestead — White 757 306 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2019
Dry Branch State Natural Area II Lewis (primary),
Hickman, Perry		 2,169 878 State of Tennessee Private – No access 2007
Duck River Complex State Natural Area II Maury 2,612 1,057 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2002
Dunbar Cave State Natural Area I Montgomery 144 58 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1973
Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade State Natural Area II Rutherford 185 75 USACE Public – Limited access 1998
Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area II Bledsoe, Van Buren 16,181 6,548 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1974
Falling Water Falls State Natural Area I Hamilton 136 55 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Fate Sanders Barrens State Natural Area II Rutherford 230 93 USACE Public – Limited access 1999
Flat Rock Cedar Glades & Barrens State Natural Area II Rutherford 846 342 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1999
Frozen Head State Natural Area I, II Morgan 15,150 6,130 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1974
Gattinger's Cedar Glade & Barrens State Natural Area II Rutherford, Wilson 57 23 Private Private – No access 2003
Ghost River State Natural Area I Fayette 2,306 933 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1997
Grundy Forest State Natural Area I Grundy 234 95 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1974
Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area I Carter 693 280 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1986
Hawkins Cove State Natural Area II Franklin 249 101 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1985
Hicks Gap State Natural Area II Marion 350 140 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1989
Hill Forest State Natural Area II Davidson 225 91 Friends of Warner Parks
Nashville Parks & Recreation		 Public – Limited access 2010
Honey Creek State Natural Area II Pickett 109 44 National Park Service
(Big South Fork)		 Public – Full access 1973
House Mountain State Natural Area I Knox 527 213 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1987
Hubbard's Cave State Natural Area II Warren 50 20 The Nature Conservancy Public – Limited access
during summer		 1995
John & Hester Lane Cedar Glades State Natural Area II Wilson 45 18 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 2009
John Noel at Bon Aqua State Natural Area I Hickman 35 14 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2007
Langford Branch State Natural Area II Lewis 23 9.3 Swan Conservation Trust Private – No access 2001
Laurel–Snow State Natural Area II Rhea 2,259 914 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Lost Creek State Natural Area — White 200 81 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2012
Lucius Burch Jr. Forest State Natural Area I Shelby 728 295 Shelby County Public – Full access 1988
Manus Road Cedar Glade State Natural Area II Rutherford 22 8.9 State of Tennessee Private – No access 2004
May Prairie State Natural Area II Coffee 492 199 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1973
Meeman-Shelby State Natural Area II Shelby 11,000 4,500 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2002
Montgomery Bell State Natural Area II Dickson 1,086 439 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1998
Morrison Meadow State Natural Area II Warren 20 8.1 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 2008
Mount View Glade State Natural Area II Davidson 9 3.6 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1995
Natural Bridge State Natural Area I Franklin 3 1.2 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area II Hamilton, Sequacthie 7,093 2,870 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1999
Overbridge State Natural Area II Rutherford 70 28 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1995
Old Forest State Natural Area II Shelby 125 51 City of Memphis Public – Full access 2011
Ozone Falls State Natural Area I Cumberland 43 17 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Piney Falls State Natural Area II Rhea 818 331 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area II Fentress 3,000 1,200 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2006
Powell River Preserve State Natural Area II Claiborne 15 6.1 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1995
Radnor Lake State Park & Natural Area II Davidson 1,368 554 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Reelfoot Lake State Natural Area I Lake, Obion 18,000 7,300 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Riverwoods State Natural Area II Shelby 21 8.5 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1978
Roundtop Mountain State Natural Area II Sevier 237 96 National Park Service
(Great Smoky Mountains)		 Public – Full access 1974
Rugby State Natural Area I Morgan 762 308 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2006
Savage Gulf State Natural Area II Grundy, Sequatchie 15,590 6,310 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1974
Sequatchie Cave State Natural Area II Marion 133 54 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2001
Sherwood Forest State Natural Area — Franklin 3,075 1,244 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2020
Short Springs State Natural Area I Coffee 420 170 State of Tennessee,
TVA, City of Tullahoma		 Public – Full access 1994
Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area I Maury 90 36 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2006
Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area II Rhea 783 317 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Stones River Cedar Glade and Barrens State Natural Area II Rutherford 185 75 National Park Service Public – Full access 2003
Sunk Lake State Natural Area II Lauderdale 1,873 758 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1986
Sunnybell Cedar Glade State Natural Area II Rutherford 36 15 State of Tennessee Private – No access 1995
Taylor Hollow State Natural Area II Sumner 173 70 The Nature Conservancy Private – Access by
permission only		 1995
Twin Arches State Natural Area II Fentress, Pickett, Scott 1,500 610 National Park Service
(Big South Fork)		 Public – Full access 1974
Vesta Cedar Glade State Natural Area II Wilson 150 61 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1986
Vine Cedar Glade State Natural Area II Wilson 35 14 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 2000
Virgin Falls State Natural Area II White 1,157 468 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1973
Walker Branch State Natural Area II Hardin 520 210 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1997
Walls of Jericho State Natural Area II Franklin 750 300 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2006
Walnut Knob State Natural Area — Smith 18 7.3 State of Tennessee Private – No access 2020
Walterhill Floodplain State Natural Area II Rutherford 34 14 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1985
Washmorgan Hollow State Natural Area II Jackson 73 30 The Nature Conservancy Public – Limited access 1995
Watauga River Bluffs State Natural Area II Carter 50 20 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 1998
William B. Clark Conservation Area II Fayette 460 190 The Nature Conservancy Public – Full access 2000
William L. Davenport Refuge State Natural Area II Polk 120 49 State of Tennessee Public – Limited access 1997
Wilson School Road Forest and Cedar Glades State Natural Area II Marshall 58 23 State of Tennessee Private – No access 2008
Window Cliffs State Natural Area II Putnam 275 111 State of Tennessee Public – Full access 2014

Tennessee's Scenic Rivers: Waterways to Explore

Tennessee also protects certain rivers as "state scenic rivers." These rivers are special because they are free-flowing and unpolluted. They are divided into three classes based on how developed their surroundings are:

  • Class I – Natural River Area: These rivers are wild and beautiful. They are usually hard to reach except by hiking trails.
  • Class II – Pastoral River Area: These rivers flow through areas that are partly used for farming or other outdoor fun.
  • Class III – Developed/Partially Developed River Area: These rivers have more buildings or development along their banks.

Discovering Tennessee's Scenic Rivers

Here is a list of Tennessee's state scenic rivers. You can see their class, location, and length.

River Class County/Counties Location Length Year
Designated
miles km
Blackburn Fork Scenic River I Jackson Cummins Mill Road downstream for 1.5 miles (2.4 km), the entire distance within Cummins Falls State Park 1.5 2.4 1968
II 1.5 miles (2.4 km) downstream of Cummins Mill Road to the confluence of the Roaring River 12.5 20.1
Buffalo Scenic River II Lawrence Entire section within Lawrence County, from the head of the river to the Lewis County line 15.5 24.9 1968
Clinch Scenic River III Anderson, Knox, Roane Melton Hill Dam upstream to the Highway 62 bridge in Solway 18.5 29.8 1996
Collins Scenic River II Grundy Section within Savage Gulf State Natural Area 5 8.0 1968
Conasauga Scenic River I Polk Segment in the Cherokee National Forest from the Georgia state line downstream to the
U.S. 411 bridge in Conasauga		 9 14 1969
Duck Scenic River II Maury Iron Bridge Road near Columbia upstream to Maury–Marshall county line 37.3 60.0 2001
French Broad Scenic River III Cocke North Carolina state line downstream to J.W. Walters Bridge in Douglas Lake 33 53 1968
Harpeth Scenic River II Davidson, Rutherford Entire section in Rutherford County, from the head of the river to the Williamson County line 6.75 10.86 1968
III Section in Davidson County, from the Williamson County line at Highway 100 bridge to the Interstate 40 bridge 8.5 13.7
II Section in Davidson County, from the Interstate 40 bridge to the Cheatham County line 6 9.7
Hatchie Scenic River I Hardeman, Haywood, Lauderdale,
Madison, McNairy, Tipton		 Entire length in Tennessee from Mississippi state line to Mississippi River confluence 163 262 1970
Hiwassee Scenic River III Polk Segment in the Cherokee National Forest from the North Carolina state line downstream to the
U.S. 411 bridge in Delano		 23 37 1968
Obed Wild & Scenic River I Cumberland, Morgan Western edge of the Catoosa WMA to the confluence with the Emory River (24.3 mi (39.1 km)), as well as:
  • Clear Creek from the Cumberland–Morgan line to the confluence with the Obed River (18.5 mi (29.8 km))
  • Daddys Creek from the Cumberland–Morgan line to the confluence with the Obed River (2.3 mi (3.7 km))
  • Emory River from the confluence with the Obed River to the Nemo Bridge (0.9 mi (1.4 km))
 46 74 1976
Roaring River Scenic River I Jackson, Overton Highway 136 bridge to a point 2 miles (3.2 km) downstream 2 3.2 1968
II A point 2 miles (3.2 km) downstream of the Highway 136 bridge to the confluence with the
Cumberland River at Cordell Hull Lake		 19 31
Soak Creek Scenic River III Bledsoe, Rhea Confluence with Georgia Branch in Bledsoe County downstream to its confluence with the
Piney River in Spring City		 6.75 10.86 2016
Spring Creek Scenic River I Jackson, Overton Waterloo Mill downstream to the Jackson–Overton county line 4.4 7.1 1968
II Jackson–Overton county line to the confluence with the Roaring River 4.6 7.4
Tuckahoe Creek Scenic River III Knox Entire length in Knox County, from Jefferson County line to confluence with French Broad River 16.1 25.9 1968

Past State Parks and Natural Areas

Sometimes, parks or natural areas change their status or are no longer managed by the state. Here are a few examples of former state parks and natural areas in Tennessee:

Former State Parks

  • Poor Valley Creek State Park (This park was planned but never fully opened.)
  • Ross Creek Landing

Former State Natural Areas

  • Morril's Cave (also known as Worley's Cave) State Natural Area in Sullivan County
  • Short Mountain-Jim Cummings State Natural Area in Cannon County, which was about 500 acres (202 hectares).
  • Sneed Road Cedar Glade State Natural Area in Williamson County, which was a small area of 1 acre (0.4 hectares).

See also

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