Tennessee is packed with awesome places to pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows, and wake up to birds instead of alarms.
From giant waterfalls and quiet lakes to mountain views and forest hikes, the state parks here are awesome places to go camping.
Whether you’re into RV camping, tent camping, or you’re someone who just wants a cozy cabin in the woods, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you.
Some parks have wild backcountry trails, others have splashy swimming holes, and a few even have golf courses and zip lines.
We’ve rounded up the 12 best state parks for camping in Tennessee, and trust us, you’re gonna want to add every single one of these to your list.
1. Roan Mountain State Park
Epic mountain views and cozy creekside camping
Roan Mountain State Park is about 35 minutes from Johnson City, just a few miles from the North Carolina border.
It’s packed with wildflower-covered trails, cool mountain air, and some seriously jaw-dropping views from the top of Roan Highlands.
The park offers 106 campsites, 86 RV sites with water and electric hookups, 20 tent-only sites with communal water spigots, 4 group tent sites, each with water, and about 30 cabins if you’d rather skip using a tent.
Expect clean bathhouses, picnic shelters, a camp store, and even a playground, so you’ve got everything you need for a comfy stay.
Don’t miss the Moonshiners Run Trail, about 0.95 miles, with riverside views, rolling hills, and spring wildflowers.
There’s also the 1.0-mile Raven Rock Trail for stunning Roan Valley scenery, and the hike up to Round Bald for 360-degree mountain vistas.
2. Warriors’ Path State Park
Lake days, bike trails, and even a golf course
Next up is Warriors’ Path State Park in Kingsport, and this one’s got a little bit of everything, from boating on Fort Patrick Henry Lake to the Boundless Playground for children.
There are 134 campsites in three areas.
The Main Campground offers 94 sites with water and electric hookups, gravel or some paved pads, grills, fire rings, and easy access to the lake.
Moody Bluff has deluxe sites with full hookups, including nine pull-throughs for large RVs.
Finally, Cedar Ridge Hammock Campground provides primitive group-style hammock sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and a nearby bathhouse.
The campground has hot showers, a camp store, and is convenient for outdoor fun, including horseback riding and an 18-hole golf course.
You can bike the park’s mountain bike trails (part of a 12.5-mile National Recreation Trail), paddle out in a kayak, or take the short but pretty Riverbank Trail (0.25 miles) for a peaceful sunset walk along the water.
3. Panther Creek State Park
Hilly hikes, lake views, and mountain bike fun
Panther Creek State Park in Morristown is the kind of spot that keeps you busy from sunrise to s’mores, especially if you’re into hiking, biking, or anything involving a lake.
The campground has 50 campsites with water and electric hookups, and eight of the sites have sewer hookups.
Amenities include grills, picnic tables, fire rings, bathhouses, a laundromat, a dump station, and a seasonal camp store.
WiFi is limited, and there’s quick access to the lake for boating or casting a line.
Hit the 1.9-mile Point Lookout Trail for panoramic views of Cherokee Lake, test your skills on over 15 miles of mountain biking trails, or bring the kids to the playground for a fun, cool-off break.
4. Pickett CCC Memorial State Park
Caves, natural bridges, and star-filled skies
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, way up on the Cumberland Plateau near Jamestown, is packed with wild geology, deep woods, and some of the darkest night skies in the state.
There are 26 campsites with water (16 of them with electric hookups), plus 5 cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s that are still available to rent.
You’ll find hot showers, clean restrooms, a small lake for paddling, and easy access to nearby Pickett State Forest and Big South Fork for even more exploring.
Don’t miss the 1.6-mile Hazard Cave Trail for cool rock formations and glow worms at night.
Or for something shorter, try the 0.3-mile Island Trail, which loops across a sandstone bridge over Arch Lake and passes through open forest with mountain laurel, blueberries, and a historic CCC shelter.
5. Cumberland Mountain State Park
Lakeside camping with some CCC history
Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville sits right in the heart of the Cumberland Plateau, and it’s known for its peaceful lake views, a stone bridge built by the CCC, and tons of space to roam around.
The campground has 145 campsites with water and electric hookups, plus a handful of cabins and even a few backcountry sites if you’re feeling adventurous.
Campers have access to bathhouses and an on-site restaurant that overlooks Byrd Lake, so you can eat catfish while watching the sunset.
You can kayak or paddleboard on the 35-acre Byrd Lake, hike the 0.5-mile Byrd Lake Trail across the famous stone bridge, or take the nearly 6-mile Overnight Trail if you’re up for a longer trek through the woods.
6. Fall Creek Falls State Park
Waterfalls, swinging bridges, and endless trails
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s most famous spots, and for good reason.
It’s home to Fall Creek Falls, the tallest free-fall waterfall in the eastern U.S. at a whopping 256 feet.
The campground has over 200 sites with water and electric hookups, plus cabins and even a lodge if you want to upgrade your camping game.
Also, a lot of the sites are just a quick walk from the lake or trailheads.
There are multiple bathhouses, a general store, a golf course, and a massive adventure course with ropes, ziplines, and a canopy challenge.
Hike the 0.6-mile Gorge Overlook Trail for jaw-dropping views, cross the swinging bridge over Cane Creek, and definitely take the steep trek down to the base of Fall Creek Falls—it’s a workout, but 100% worth it.
7. Savage Gulf State Natural Area
Big views, backcountry, and deep gorges
Savage Gulf State Natural Area is the go-to spot if you’re into dramatic cliffs, hidden waterfalls, and seriously scenic backpacking.
Camping here is all backcountry, with one cabin (Hobbs Cabin), and 10 designated campgrounds like Stone Door and Dinky Line Camp.
So know that you’ll need to pack in your gear and be ready for a night under the stars (no hookups, no crowds, just you and the trees).
There are no bathhouses or electricity, but there are designated fire areas and a pit toilet at each campground.
You’ll also find water sources along the trails, and the solitude and views more than make up for the rustic setup.
Tackle the 4.2-mile loop to Savage Day Loop Trail, take the 0.9-mile trip to the Stone Door overlook for sweeping views of the gulf.
Or for a bit more adventure, hike down into the gorge where the terrain gets steep and rocky.
8. Rock Island State Park
Waterfalls, swimming holes, and riverside campsites
Rock Island State Park, located where the Caney Fork, Collins, and Rocky Rivers all crash together, is a total dream for anyone who loves chasing waterfalls and cooling off in natural pools.
The park has 60 campsites with water and electric hookups, plus 10 cabins, and many of the sites are super close to the river, so you can hear the water while you roast marshmallows.
You’ll get clean bathhouses, picnic areas, and easy access to trails that lead straight to some of the most photogenic spots in the park.
Take a dip at the park’s designated swim beach, hike the short 0.5-mile Blue Hole Trail for epic views of cascading water, or explore the 3-mile Collins River Nature Trail for peaceful riverside walking and wildlife spotting.
9. Bledsoe Creek State Park
Peaceful paddling, easy trails, and lakeside camping
Bledsoe Creek State Park in Gallatin, about 50 minutes from Nashville, is perfect if you’re looking for a calm, relaxing camping trip with pretty views and water everywhere you turn.
The park has 58 paved and 10 gravel campsites with water and electric hookups, plus three hammock-only primitive campsites, and many of them sit right by the edge of Old Hickory Lake.
Morning coffee with a water view? Yes, please.
Campground perks include clean restrooms, hot showers, a playground, and boat ramps, so you can stay comfy and still get out on the water.
You can paddle the quiet shoreline, hike the easy 2.1-mile Shoreline Trail, or stretch your legs on the 1.4-mile High Ridge Trail, which winds through the woods and gives you a great chance to spot deer and wild turkeys.
10. David Crockett State Park
History, hiking, and a splash-worthy lake
David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg offers outdoor fun with frontier history, and yep—it’s named after that Davy Crockett, the legendary Tennessee frontiersman.
There are 96 campsites with water and electric hookups, plus modern cabins with porches that overlook Lake Lindsey, so whether you’re in a tent or kicking back in a rocking chair, you’re set.
The park has modern bathhouses, a restaurant with lake views, a swimming pool, and even a museum that tells the story of Crockett’s life in the area.
You can hike the 1.7-mile Shoal Creek Trail, rent a paddleboat or kayak for a spin on the lake, or check out the replica mill to see how things were done back in the 1800s.
11. Mousetail Landing State Park
River views, forest trails, and peaceful campsites
Mousetail Landing State Park sits along the Tennessee River near Linden, and it’s a quiet, tucked-away spot that’s perfect for campers who want nature without the crowds.
The park has 25 campsites in the main campground (19 with water and electric hookups), plus a 21-site primitive campground along the river, offering a more rustic experience if you want to really get away.
You’ll find a bathhouse, two playgrounds, a boat launch, and tons of shoreline access for fishing, kayaking, or just watching the river roll by.
Hike the Eagle Point Loop Trail, an 8-mile round-trip route with blufftop views of the river, and explore old cemetery ruins along the way.
Or keep it chill with a stroll down the 0.5-mile Spring Creek Trail through shady woods and quiet creeks.
12. Natchez Trace State Park
Huge park, big lake, and room to explore
Natchez Trace State Park near Wildersville, Tennessee, is massive.
It spans over 48,000 acres of forests, lakes, and trails, so if you want space to spread out and explore, this is your spot.
There are four campgrounds with everything from full hookups, primitive sites, and cabins, with spots right by Pin Oak Lake
You’ve got bathhouses, boat rentals, horse stables, and miles of trails, so it’s kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure camping trip.
Fish or paddle on the 690-acre Pin Oak Lake, hike the 1.5-mile Pin Oak Trail for peaceful lake views, or saddle up and hit the 250 miles of horse trails that wind all across the park.
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