Tennessee state parks have a wealth of outdoor opportunities that make them a great destination year-round. Extend your stay with an overnight or multi-day stay in the new lodges, cabins and campsites to soak up all the scenery and natural fun. Here’s what’s new in Tennessee’s state parks.
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@joshbrownphotography
Unique Lodging at Tennessee State Parks You Should Experience
Extend your stay in nature.
March 24, 2020
Pickwick Landing State Park offers a variety of cabins and campsites for your stay. The wooded campground has 48 sites that are equipped with a grill, a table and electrical and water hook-up. The park's premium cabins have two or three bedrooms, views of Pickwick Lake, a gas fireplace, cable TV and more. Standard cabins offer two bedrooms and one bathroom, a full kitchen, fireplace, cable TV and more. Linens, dishware and cookware are provided in cabins.
Coming soon, the new Lodge at Pickwick Landing, currently under construction, will have stunning views of nearby Pickwick Dam, a full-service restaurant, a bar and lounge and modern room designs. You'll be able to choose from a king-sized bed or double queen with a balcony overlooking the Tennessee River and Pickwick Dam. ADA-accessible rooms will also be available. Take in all the water activities you can from paddling to canoeing and casting a fishing line for sauger, striped bass, catfish and white and yellow bass.
Paris Landing State Park – Buchanan
Want an affordable place to stay with some of the comforts of home? Book a camping cabin at Paris Landing State Park. Ranging from $50-65 a night, the “camper cabins” have two XL full-size beds that can sleep up to four people. A minifridge, microwave, coffee pot, table and climate control are included. They are located in the campground area of the state park and have access to the bathhouse. Spend your days swimming, walking the three hiking trails, birding, golfing and fishing from the piers, bank or by boat.
Reelfoot Lake State Park – Tiptonville
Book one of the seven new cabins at Reelfoot Lake State Park. These spacious accommodations have a living room, dining and full-size kitchen areas, an electric fireplace, two or three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, dishwasher, outdoor charcoal grills and patios. Soak up the lakeside views while also enjoying modern comforts like cable TV and WiFi. Learn the deep history of the area by booking a tour hosted by a park naturalist who can point out the eagles and other birds that call Reelfoot Lake home, the sunken cypress trees and the water flowers. Explore on your own along several of the easy hiking trails, fishing on Tennessee’s only naturally-made lake which is nationally-known for crappie and bluegill fishing and much more.
Chickasaw State Park – Henderson
Chickasaw State Park just finished a major campground improvement project which includes an RV campground with 53 sites, each with water and electrical hookups and some sites offer full hookups with sewer. The tent campground has 29 sites with water available and the wrangler campground has 32 sites with water and electrical hookups, designed for visitors traveling with horses. Modern bathhouses have hot showers and restroom facilities and there is a playground in each campground. Head to the Chickasaw Trading Post for all your camping necessities, souvenirs, snacks and more.
Natchez Trace State Park – Wildersville
The Pin Oak Lodge at Natchez Trace State Park is now open after going under a renovation. Modern amenities, patios and balconies will be upgraded features of the 47 guestrooms. A few rooms are fully ADA accessible. You can also book camping cabins at Natchez Trace State Park. The camping cabins are located by Pin Oak Lake and have air conditioning, two bunks, a picnic table with barbecue grill, lantern holder and water. All camper cabins are pet-friendly and available year-round. The park has lots of horseback riding trails, hiking trails with wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting in the nearby state forest.
Middle Tennessee
Montgomery Bell State Park - Burns
The Lodge at Montgomery Bell opens this year with 117 fully-furnished, renovated rooms on the banks of Lake Acorn at Montgomery Bell State Park. ADA-accessible rooms are also available. The hotel and conference center is one of the best venues for events with full-serving catering and accommodations, perfect for conferences, weddings and family reunions. While enjoying your king or double queen room, lakeside views, mountain biking and hiking trails, fishing, the 18-hole golf course and more.
Cumberland Mountain State Park - Crossville
The historic CCC cabins at Cumberland Mountain State Park will be improved by June 2020 with king beds, new appliances in each cabin that includes a refrigerator, oven, stovetop, dishwasher and coffeemaker. Fireplaces are inside each and outside there is a picnic table and grill. While there, experience beautiful mountain views and 1,720 acres to explore in a variety of ways from teeing off at what Golf Magazine says is one of the top 10 golf courses in North America, Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain, paddling, renting a fishing boat for some quiet time on Byrd Lake and challenging yourself on the four miles of mountain biking trails.
Henry Horton State Park – Chapel Hill
Another unique way to camp is at one of the six, hammock-only primitive campsites at Henry Horton State Park. Campers must hike in as vehicles aren’t allowed at the campsite. WiFi is available as well as a picnic table and grill/fire ring combination. This is perfect for those who truly want to sleep under the stars. Kids will love the new playground that is being developed. The inclusive play space includes larger-than-life animals, rock formations and even a kid-friendly mill. The grand opening details will soon be announced.
East Tennessee
Norris Dam CCC State Park – Rocky Top
Norris Dam CCC State Park has a number of cabins. Ten standard cabins each have three bedrooms, one bathroom, a small porch with a picnic table, grill and fire pit for the ultimate night out. Cabins also come with a TV with local channels, gas fireplace, central heat and air and a microwave. Linens, cooking and eating utensils are provided. The 19 historic CCC cabins are all located in wooded areas and are equipped with electrical appliances, linens and cooking/eating utensils. A bundle of firewood is provided for your first night and the cabins have electric heaters and window air conditioning units. Take in the natural surroundings by hiking the 15 trails that snake through the park, fishing on the 34,000-acre Norris Dam and filling your calendar with the interpretive programs and events.
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