Tennessee State Parks: Which to Visit First, Ranked by What You Want

Start with Fall Creek Falls State Park for a big waterfall, Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville for an easy family walk, Cummins Falls State Park near Cookeville for a swimming hole, and Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg for a long hike. Tennessee State Parks says no access fee is charged at any state park, so the only cost of a first visit is the drive. This guide matches 11 Tennessee state parks to what you want from the day, with the one reason to go and how long to allow.

The short version: Tennessee hands out waterfalls the way other states hand out rest stops. The trick is picking the right one for the people in your car.

How we chose

Every park below was checked against its own page on the official Tennessee State Parks site, tnstateparks.com, in November 2026. We sorted them by the four things first-time visitors ask for most: a big waterfall, an easy family day, a place to swim, and a proper hike. The times are our editorial estimates for a first visit, not official figures. Trails, bridges and gorges close for storms and repairs, so check each park's alerts before you go.

Are Tennessee state parks free?

Yes. The Tennessee State Parks frequently asked questions page says there is no access fee for any state park and that donations are accepted instead. Some activities still cost money or need booking: the Gorge Access Permit at Cummins Falls, guided tours, camping and cabins.

If you want a big waterfall

1. Fall Creek Falls State Park, near Spencer

The one reason to go: Fall Creek Falls State Park on the Cumberland Plateau holds the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls, which Tennessee State Parks calls the highest waterfall in the state.

What to do: Walk to the main overlook, which sits beside its parking lot. Tennessee State Parks lists it as a wheelchair-friendly viewpoint with a paved path. If your knees are willing, a trail of about half a mile drops to the base, and the rocks down there are slippery. Storm damage has closed some of the park's side trails, so check the Fall Creek Falls page first.

How long to allow: A half day to see the main falls and one more overlook. A full weekend to do the park justice.

2. Burgess Falls State Park, near Sparta

The one reason to go: At Burgess Falls State Park, the Falling Water River drops over four waterfalls in a single short hike, each one bigger than the last.

What to do: Hike the 1.5-mile River Trail and Service Road loop, which the park rates moderately strenuous. Go out along the river for the cascades and come back on the paved service road. You watch the main falls from the overlook, since the park offers no access to the base. Details are on the Burgess Falls page.

How long to allow: Two hours. It pairs well with Cummins Falls on the same day out of Cookeville.

If you want an easy family day

3. Radnor Lake State Park, Nashville

The one reason to go: Radnor Lake State Park is a protected natural area inside Nashville, with an 85-acre lake and 236 bird species recorded there, according to Tennessee State Parks.

What to do: Walk the 1.35-mile Lake Trail, an easy mulch path along the north side of the lake. Running, bikes and dogs are allowed only on Otter Creek Road, Hall Drive and the dam walkway, so this is a quiet place to walk and look. Trails are typically open from 6 a.m. until 20 minutes after sunset. Parking fills fast on nice days. See the Radnor Lake page.

How long to allow: Ninety minutes to two hours. Arrive early on weekends.

4. Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville

The one reason to go: At Cumberland Mountain State Park, a stone bridge holds back a lake, and the park says it is the largest structure the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ever built.

What to do: Start at the Crab Orchard Stone Bridge on Byrd Lake, which doubles as the lake's dam. The park says CCC Company 3464 began building it in 1938, and the first project superintendent was Alvin C. York, the World War I hero. The Byrd Lake Trail is a 0.5-mile loop of porous pavement that the park lists as ADA-accessible, so strollers and wheelchairs are fine. The Cumberland Mountain page has the details.

How long to allow: Two to three hours.

5. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, Manchester

The one reason to go: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park protects a Native American earthwork enclosure built about 2,000 years ago. It was a ceremonial gathering place, not a fort.

What to do: Walk the Enclosure Trail, which loops the site's edge and passes between two mounds at the entrance. Then visit the park museum. The park says the Duck and Little Duck rivers feed nearly 10 waterfalls here. The Enclosure Trail passes Step Falls, Blue Hole Falls and Big Falls, which the park says tops 30 feet. Construction can close roads and bridges inside the park, so check the Old Stone Fort page for current access.

How long to allow: Two to three hours. It gives you history and waterfalls in one stop.

If you want a swimming hole

6. Cummins Falls State Park, near Cookeville

The one reason to go: Cummins Falls State Park has a 75-foot waterfall that pours into a natural swimming pool at its base.

What to do: Buy a Gorge Access Permit before you go. Tennessee State Parks requires one to reach the base, sells a limited number each day, and gives no refunds or rain checks. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket in the plunge pool, and pool floats aren't allowed. The gorge is open on fair-weather days only and is cleared if rain falls anywhere in the watershed. Hours are shorter in winter. Check the Cummins Falls page the morning you go.

How long to allow: Three to four hours, counting the hike in and out of the gorge, which means wading.

7. Rock Island State Park, Rock Island

The one reason to go: At Rock Island State Park, Twin Falls drops the Collins River over limestone bluffs into the Caney Fork, at a park where the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky rivers meet at the head of Center Hill Lake.

What to do: Look at Twin Falls and the Blue Hole, but don't swim there. The park bans swimming from the TVA powerhouse down to the main beach boat ramp because of hidden currents. Swim at the park's swim beach instead, which has no lifeguards. The park also warns that dam releases can raise the water at any time without warning. Rules are on the Rock Island swimming page.

How long to allow: A half day in summer.

If you want a long hike

8. Frozen Head State Park, near Wartburg

The one reason to go: Frozen Head State Park is a proper all-day climb. Tennessee State Parks lists the Chimney Top Trail at 7.05 miles and rates it difficult.

What to do: Hikers who want the summit head for the observation deck on top of Frozen Head. The park built it in 2006 to replace an old CCC fire tower, and it rises just above the trees for a 360-degree view. Trail renovations can close parts of the park's network, so check the Frozen Head page for what's open. Rugby is in the same Morgan County if you want a second stop.

How long to allow: A full day for a summit hike.

9. Savage Gulf State Park, near Beersheba Springs

The one reason to go: At Savage Gulf State Park, the Great Stone Door is a crack that splits a cliff from top to bottom. Tennessee State Parks compares it to a door left slightly open.

What to do: Take the 0.90-mile Stone Door Trail from the Stone Door Ranger Station, past the Laurel Gulf Overlook to the Stone Door and its view. Strong hikers can go on into the gulf. Greeter Falls is in the same park. Jumping from waterfalls or cliffs is banned in every part of the park, and climbing is allowed only in the Stone Door area with a permit. Older park maps file Savage Gulf under South Cumberland State Park, so don't be thrown by the old name. See the Savage Gulf page.

How long to allow: Two hours for the Stone Door. A full day or an overnight for the gulf.

10. Roan Mountain State Park, Roan Mountain

The one reason to go: Roan Mountain State Park puts you near the rhododendron gardens at Carvers Gap, which the park says are about a 20-minute drive away.

What to do: Inside the park, Rosebay rhododendron typically peaks in early to mid July, while the Catawba rhododendron at Carvers Gap usually blooms in mid to late June. The park says an Appalachian Trail access point is eight miles away, so you can add a stretch of the Appalachian Trail (AT) to your trip. Storm damage has closed some trails here, so check the Roan Mountain page for trail status.

How long to allow: A full day with the drive up to Carvers Gap.

If you want wildlife

11. Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tiptonville

The one reason to go: Reelfoot Lake State Park sits on the only large natural lake in Tennessee, formed by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812.

What to do: Book a winter eagle tour. Reelfoot Lake runs two-hour guided bus or van tours in January and February, with naturalists and spotting scopes, and they often sell out. In spring, guided kayak floats paddle into the lake's cypress swamp. Book through the Reelfoot Lake tours page. Union City is the nearest bigger town.

How long to allow: A half day for a tour. A weekend if you're driving across the state for it.

Which Tennessee state park should you visit first?

If you only get one day, go to Fall Creek Falls State Park, the park with the state's highest waterfall. If you have kids under 10, start with Radnor Lake or Cumberland Mountain. If it's July and hot, book a Cummins Falls permit. To fit two parks in a day, base yourself in Cookeville and do Burgess Falls in the morning and Cummins Falls in the afternoon.

What should you check before a first visit to a Tennessee state park?

Run through this list before you leave for any Tennessee state park.

• Check the park's alerts page the morning you go. Closures are common after storms.
• Buy a Cummins Falls Gorge Access Permit before you leave home.
• Pack water shoes for Cummins Falls and a life jacket for kids 12 and under.
• Arrive before 9 a.m. at Radnor Lake on weekends.
• Book Reelfoot Lake eagle tours as soon as winter dates open.
• Leave dogs and bikes off Radnor Lake's main trails.
• Never swim at Rock Island's Blue Hole or Twin Falls.
• Drop a few dollars in the donation box. Entry is free, but upkeep isn't.

For more trips, see our outdoors guides, Tennessee road trips and places to stay.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do Tennessee state parks charge an entrance fee?

No, Tennessee State Parks says no access fee is charged at any state park, and it accepts donations instead. Some activities, such as the Cummins Falls Gorge Access Permit, guided tours, camping and cabins, cost extra.

What is the best Tennessee state park for a first visit?

For most first-timers, we'd pick Fall Creek Falls State Park, which holds the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls, the state's highest waterfall according to Tennessee State Parks. Its main overlook sits beside a parking lot, so you don't need to hike to see it.

Can you swim at Cummins Falls State Park?

Yes, you can swim in the plunge pool at the base of Cummins Falls, but you need a Gorge Access Permit, and only a limited number are sold each day. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket, and the gorge closes when rain is in the watershed.

Can you swim at Rock Island's Blue Hole?

No, Rock Island State Park bans swimming from the TVA powerhouse down to the main beach boat ramp, which covers the Blue Hole and Twin Falls, because of hidden currents. The park's swim beach is the designated swimming area, and it has no lifeguards.

Which Tennessee state park is best for a long hike?

We'd pick Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, where Tennessee State Parks lists the Chimney Top Trail at 7.05 miles. Savage Gulf State Park near Beersheba Springs is a strong second choice for a full day in the backcountry.

When can you see bald eagles at Reelfoot Lake?

Reelfoot Lake State Park runs guided eagle tours in January and February. They are two-hour bus or van trips led by naturalists, and they often sell out, so book early.