Explore 3 Regions of Fun Things To Do in Tennessee
From east to west, there is an abundance of outstanding outdoor activities to enjoy in the Volunteer State.
It is nearly 600 miles from the Mississippi River that forms Tennessee’s western border to the pointy tip on the state’s eastern edge. And in between is a wonderful playground of natural beauty. Here are 15 fun things to do in Tennessee, five in each of the state’s three Grand Divisions:
In This Article
Explore the East
Go glamping at Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The nation’s most-visited national park can be enjoyed in style with a glamping trip, where nature meets luxury. Make the great outdoors a little greater with your own tent-covered bed and private bathroom. Breathtaking views always included.
Climb the cliffs along the Obed Wild and Scenic River: Climbers from throughout the world hang out at this spot approximately 60 miles west of Knoxville. The cliffs along the Obed, which is managed by the National Park Service, contain more than 300 climbing routes of varying difficulty.
Pedal the bikeways of the Scenic South: Some of the best scenery in the region can be found on these backroad bike routes crisscrossing seven counties surrounding Chattanooga. Enjoy the sights – and the low-traffic roads – along the Tennessee River Basin, the Sequatchie Valley and the Cherokee Forest.
Sleep peacefully at Fall Creek Falls State Park: Nestled between the eastern and middle part of the state, this nearly 30,000-acre park is known for its namesake waterfall, which at 256 feet has the longest single plunge east of the Mississippi River. And now it is easier to enjoy this natural wonder following the opening of a new 85-room lodge.
Must-Do in the East
Whitewater raft on the Ocoee River: Paddle like an Olympic athlete through the Class III and IV rapids of the Ocoee River, which was the site of kayak events during the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. More relaxing trips are available on the nearby Hiwassee River and Pigeon River.
Meet in the Middle
Walk the trails at Radnor Lake State Park: This 1,368-acre urban oasis is located less than 10 miles south of downtown Nashville. Hustle and bustle are replaced with peace and quiet along the park’s nearly 8 miles of trails, including the wheelchair-accessible Lake Trail.
Canoe the Harpeth River in Kingston Springs: There are nine river access points along a 40-mile stretch of this calm waterway, making it popular for kayaking and canoeing. In addition, the river cuts through the Mound Bottom State Archaeological Area, an ancient Native American complex.
Catch a big one at Percy Priest Lake: The bass usually are biting at this man-made reservoir, making it a popular spot for professional fishing tournaments. Amateur anglers are aided by the presence of 20 fish attractor locations maintained by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Go chasing waterfalls: There are hundreds of waterfalls cascading across Tennessee, and many are located in the Cumberland Plateau region just east of Nashville. Some require a hike to reach (such as Cummins Falls near Cookeville), while others easily can be seen from the side of the road.
Must-Do in the Middle
Ride the Natchez Trace Parkway: This 444-mile national scenic byway begins near Nashville and runs southwest to the Alabama state line and on to Natchez, Mississippi. Since commercial traffic is prohibited and there are a limited number of access points, the parkway is ideal for bike riding or a leisurely drive.
Go West
Spend the day at sprawling Shelby Farms: One of the largest urban parks in the country – more than five times larger than New York’s Central Park – can be found in Memphis, with 4,500 acres of green space and nearly 11 miles of trails.
Go birding at Reelfoot Lake State Park: Located in the northwestern corner of the state, Reelfoot is a flooded forest filled with aquatic plants and flowers. Birds flock to the 15,000-acre lake, including thousands of bald eagles that make the area their temporary home each winter.
Make the Big River Crossing: One of the quickest adventures also is one of the most visually impressive. This 1-mile pedestrian bridge connects downtown Memphis to the floodplains of eastern Arkansas, offering expansive views of the Mississippi River.
Stroll through a cypress forest: The highlight of 4,000-acre Cypress Grove Nature Park in Jackson is the elevated boardwalk that winds through a 165-acre cypress forest. Get a bird’s-eye view of the park from the observation tower, then get a close-up view of the birds at the Aerie Trail Raptor Center.
Must-Do in the West
Visit Land Between the Lakes: When you’re not boating along the beautiful waters, be sure to visit the 700-acre Elk & Bison Prairie, an enclosure where these majestic animals roam free. The rest of the land is gorgeous, and the two lakes – Barkley and Kentucky – are stunning.
Coming Soon: 4 New State Parks!
Ah, Tennessee. The state is graced with 57 state parks and natural areas that have more than 1,000 miles of trails. Also in Tennessee is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the most visited national park in the U.S.
All these parks and natural areas make outdoor recreation a major economic contributor to the Volunteer State, with outdoor tourism bringing in billions of dollars in revenue each year. Tennessee is annually ranked on many lists for being among the top outdoor tourism sites in America.
Those accolades are only going to increase, with Gov. Bill Lee announcing in 2023 that part of the state’s budget is focusing on improving and expanding three state natural areas along with creating four new state parks.
“Our state parks are a jewel, and they’ll only be around for the future if we invest in them today,” Lee said at his 2023 State of the State Address.
Lee says money is also going toward constructing two park lodges as well as completing four outdoor trails. In addition, Lee has proposed legislation to revitalize 175 former brownfield industrial sites with plans to turn some into additional green space.
– Staff Writer Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.
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