Tennessee State Parks offer many recreational opportunities for people across the state. All 56 state parks offer hiking and picnicking as activities, but many also have fishing, boating, biking, and camping as well as interpretive programs. There are six Tennessee State Parks with inns and conference centers. Many of the parks also have restaurants that can also provide on-site catering. Eight parks feature a golf course, three of which are signature Jack Nicklaus designed Bear Trace golf courses.

From its beginning in 1937, Tennessee State Parks were established to protect and preserve the unique natural, cultural and historic resources of Tennessee. The public interest has also been served by a variety of benefits for citizens and communities produced by our state park system, promoting stronger communities and healthier citizens across the state through diverse resource-based recreation while conserving the natural environment for today and tomorrow – preserving authentic Tennessee places and spaces for future generations to enjoy. As stewards of the resources in our parks, we seek to manage Tennessee’s state parks in order to preserve and protect valued resources and to provide a balance of services and benefits for the enjoyment of the people.