Ten Incredible State Parks for Family Vacation in Tennessee
May 26, 2025
Photo by ©Kari Edgens, Cumberland Mountain State Park
Planning a family vacation is an exciting adventure, full of endless possibilities for fun and relaxation. Luckily, Tennessee State Parks offer a wide variety of affordable vacation options that cater to all your needs, whether you prefer a classic camping trip or a more comfortable stay in a lakefront lodge. In this blog, we are thrilled to introduce you to ten family-friendly state park vacation destinations in Tennessee. Get ready to create unforgettable memories that won’t break the bank!
Paris Landing State Park
Location: West TN | Paris, TN
Paris Landing State Park is located along the northern border of Tennessee on the shores of Kentucky Lake. Offering a lakefront hotel, full-service restaurant and bar, spacious RV campsites, deluxe lakefront cabins, and some of the best water recreation in Tennessee. Lodge and cabin guests can enjoy an outdoor pool and multiple fire-pits
Location: Middle TN | Burns, TN
Montgomery Bell is a large state park and natural area located 40 minutes west of Nashville. The park’s main attractions are its three stunning lakes, where visitors can go fishing, kayaking, or simply relax by the water. Additionally, the park offers over 16 miles of hiking trails, paddling rentals, an 18-hole golf course, a swim beach, a full-service restaurant, and some of the best mountain biking trails in the state. Those looking for ultimate comfort will enjoy the beautiful lodge that offers hotel rooms with private lakefront balconies. The park also offers spacious cabins with outdoor fireplaces.
Standing Stone State Park
Location: Middle TN | Hilham, TN
Standing Stone State Park, located less than an hour from Cookeville along the Cumberland Plateau, is the perfect relaxing getaway. The park’s peaceful atmosphere and sparkling lake create a serene setting for activities such as canoeing and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy over 8 miles of hiking trails, winding through beautiful forests and hills, providing opportunities to see wildlife and breathtaking views.
Stay in one of the park’s rustic cabins or secluded campsites and use it as your home base to explore other attractions in the area, including Dale Hollow Lake, Cookeville, Cummins Falls, and Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Location: West TN | Millington, TN
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is located 25 minutes outside the hustle and bustle of Memphis, TN. Over 12,000 acres of forested bluffs and cypress swamps border the mighty Mississippi River. With fishing, boating, paddling, over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, and one of the largest disc golf courses in the Southeast, there are plenty of activities for the entire family. You can also venture 30 minutes from the park to Memphis and explore famous BBQ joints, incredible live music, and family-friendly attractions.
Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park
Location: Middle TN | Manchester, TN
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique camping, hiking, and historical experience. Located an hour from Nashville and Chattanooga, the park offers hiking, waterfalls, fishing, wading, and a museum. You can also bring your own kayaks or canoes and paddle down the river to see the park’s natural beauty from a different perspective. Downtown Manchester’s restaurants and shops are only ten minutes away.
Henry Horton State Park
Location: Middle TN | Chapel Hill, TN
Henry Horton State Park offers camping and cabins one hour south of Nashville near the scenic Duck River. This park is home to incredible hiking trails, refreshing paddling experiences, and a full-service restaurant. You can plan your trip around one of the park’s guided kayak tours offered in the summer or sign up for one of the educational programs, ideal for all ages.
Cool off indoors at the Duck River Education Room inside the visitor center, where you can learn about and interact with the river’s unique features. The park also offers some unique playground opportunities, including natural surfaces and materials that allow kids to dig, create, and explore.
Pickwick Landing State Park
Location: West TN | Counce, TN
Pickwick Landing State Park is a lakefront getaway on the southern border of Tennessee, less than an hour from Florence, AL and Corinth, MS. Enjoy Pickwick Lake with boat and paddling rentals, a full-service marina, and a swim beach. Soak up the sun by the pool open to lodge and cabin guests. Then, hit the links at the park’s golf course, grab a bite to eat at the full-service restaurant, and explore the park’s hiking trails. The park offers a lakefront lodge, cozy cabins, an RV campground, and a lakefront tent campground.
David Crockett State Park
Location: West TN | Lawrenceburg, TN
David Crockett State Park, offers lakefront cabins and cozy campsites just an hour and a half south of Nashville. The park offers a lake for fishing and paddling, creeks for exploring, paved bike trails, multiple waterfalls, and a museum depicting Crockett’s life.
Edgar Evins State Park
Location: Silver Point, TN
Edgar Evins State Park sits on the shores of Center Hill Lake less than one hour east of Nashville. The park is a gateway to lakeside adventures, paddling on the Caney Fork River, and waterfall chasing at nearby Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls. Climb the lookout tower at the park visitor center, hike the ridges of the rolling hills, or take a ranger-led pontoon ride out on the water. With some campsites right on the lakeshore, you can relax with a view at the end of the day.
Cove Lake State Park
Location: East TN | Caryville, TN
Cove Lake State Park sits in a picturesque mountain valley on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau, just 30 minutes from Knoxville. The park features scenic nature trails that wind through diverse wetlands and woodlands, offering ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. Biking, paddling, and fishing are also popular activities. There are 100 campsiteswith electric and water hookups, some with incredible lake views. During your stay, you can also make day visits to Norris Dam State Park, Indian Mountain State Park, and Big Ridge State Park, all of which are located within 30 minutes of Cove Lake.
Visit Tennessee State Parks for more information.
Leave feedback about this