8 Best National Parks in Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Encompassing over half a million acres of land, the park spans the state borders of Tennessee and North Carolina, with main entrances spread out across Gatlinburg, Townsend, and Cherokee. Among its most famous offerings are a virtually endless stretch of forests, world-renowned wildlife, and a whopping 850 miles of hiking trails.

For a picture-perfect view, don’t miss out on the early morning fog that the park is named after, or the waterfalls and spectacular display of wildflowers. If you’re planning a visit in early summer, you might also catch a glimpse of the Photinus carolinus – a rare group of fireflies that synchronise their light patterns.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park preserves a natural landmark known as the first great gateway to the West. Located at the meeting point of Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, Cumberland Gap is a mountain pass that has been used for thousands of years by bison, Native Americans, and pioneers moving west. The evolution of its settlement is showcased throughout the park with museum exhibits and preservation sites.

History aside, the park also boasts a stunning landscape with lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and diverse animal life. Beneath the mountains, you’ll find another world of geological wonder – a magnificent underground cavern that goes on for miles, with its own mysterious passages waiting to be explored.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park straddles northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. One of the first and largest Civil War parks, it commemorates the Battle of Chickamauga and the Siege of Chattanooga, the latter of which marked a major turning point in the war.

Exhibits and maps at the museum provide extensive information on the historical events. As you tour the park grounds, you’ll also find artillery displays, monuments, and tablets detailing military units and their battle positions. The park serves not only as an educational experience for tourists but also as a live panel that documents our nation’s history.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a hiking trail across the eastern United States. Extending almost 2,200 miles, it passes through 14 states connecting Georgia and Maine, with almost 200 miles within Tennessee.

Traversing numerous ridge crests and valleys, The Appalachian is home to some of the most breathtaking views and pristine wilderness that the country has to offer. Think ancient forests, roaring waterfalls, and mountaintop vistas with no end in sight. The sheer length of the trail also comes with the convenience of choices – whether you are a serious hiker ready for a challenging trek, or a casual tourist hoping to snatch a perfect photo, one of the countless segments of the trail will have you covered.

Stones River National Battlefield Tennessee memorialises one of the most decisive and deadly battles of the Civil War. Located about 30 miles southeast of Nashville, it is the site of the Battle of Stones River, fought on New Year's Eve 1862. The battle resulted in nearly 24,000 casualties and yielded important military and political gains for the Union.

The museum at the visitor’s centre provides exhibits and an orientation film to start your visit. Throughout the park, there are driving tours and walking trails to explore at your own pace, as well as ranger programmes and interpretive events held on a regular schedule.

Big South Fork National River & Recreational Area encompasses over 100,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, protecting the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Centred along Tennessee’s border with Kentucky, this rugged territory is the result of millennia of water carving that led to miles of deep gorges, sandstone cliffs, and river valleys.

The park features an abundance of outdoor activities to be enjoyed year-round, including hiking, climbing, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. If you’re looking for a taste of the past, there are also rock shelters and homestead remnants scattered within the area – a testament to the rich history surrounding the riverplains.

Trail of Tears is a national historic trail that commemorates the forced removal of the Cherokee from their homelands. Stretching over 5000 miles across 9 states, it marks the paths that 17 Cherokee detachments followed westward in the 1830s into present-day Oklahoma.

The original routes can be explored on foot, on horseback, or by bike. Museums and historic sites along the way provide information and interpretation to supplement your visit, so make sure to plan ahead and add them to your stops.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park is a 3 state park dedicated to the top-secret Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II. Its Tennessee site, located in Oak Ridge, features 3 facilities used for uranium enrichment, at an industrial complex that served as the project’s headquarters after its relocation from New York City.

Today, you can learn the history of the atomic age through a museum and bus tour. The community still features several highly secured nuclear research facilities, as well as other historic sites that showcase the storey of the Manhattan Project.