How Many National Parks in Tennessee? 12 Beautiful Places

Tennessee is home to 12 national parks if you include the recognized national scenic parkways and trails. A state of rich history, Tennessee has a varied geography.

From Johnson City to Memphis, Tennessee is almost 500 miles long. However, it is just a little over 100 miles long from the north to the south.

In this expanse of landscape, you will find the mountains of the Blue Ridge and the shores of the Mississippi River. In addition, the National Parks of Tennessee reflect the state’s heritage and offer thousands of acres of recreational area to locals and visitors.

If you would like to know more about the National parks of Tennessee, read on and learn a bit about each one.

 

How many national parks in Tennessee?

There are 12 National parks in Tennessee: the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Appalachian Trail, Andrew Jackson National Historic Site, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Stones River National Battlefield, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, Natchez Trace Parkway, Shiloh National Military Park, and Fort Donelson National Battlefield.

 

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

A section of the nationally known 2000-mile long Appalachian trail runs through Tennessee. Many hikers use this location to jump on or off for day hikes and extended trips up or down the trail.

The Appalachian Trail traverses 14 states, and about 71 miles of its length passes through Tennessee.

The trail, completed in 1937, is just below Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and is under the care of the National Park Service.

 

Andrew Jackson National Historic Site

Named after the United States 17^th President, the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is located in Greenville, Tennessee.

Built-in homage to Andrew Jackson, who took the helm of the nation after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, this location is home to two historical points of interest.

The homestead is a well-preserved Greek revival home that has been restored to its original magnificence. One other home and Johnsons Tailor shop still stand, also.

 

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Bordering Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is home to a thick forest and biodiverse country. This area includes mountains, valleys, rivers, streams.

The lowest elevation in the park is at 875 feet, and the highest point, at Clingmans Dome, rises to 6643 feet, which is over a mile in height.

 

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

The Cumberland Gap spans three states, and their fantastic natural sights grace Tennessee. Lined with caves and other features, the trail here was used by Native Americans to travel from Tennessee, through Kentucky, and on into Virginia.

Buffalo also used it to get from one grazing area to the next, and today, it draws thousands of tourists a year to this rugged area of Tennessee.

 

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

One of the oddest parks in Tennessee and a piece of history is the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. This is where the hidden complex used to enrich uranium for the development of atomic bombs is located.

Jointly cared for by the Department of Energy and the National Park Service, daily tours offer visitors an insight into this age of our national history.

 

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Located in the Cumberland Gap area of Tennessee, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation area are some of the most picturesque parks in the state.

The site is filled with wildlife and historical regions of interest.

Visitors here enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and many scenic views in the Tennessee National Park.

 

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Built as a commemoration of the civil war, the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park recognize two civil war events. These were the Battle of Chickamauga and the Siege of Chattanooga.

Shared with areas in northern Georgia, this area of Tennessee is known as the Gateway to the Deep South. It is a reminder of our history as a nation.

 

Stones River National Battlefield

Another of Tennessee’s commemorative battlefields, Stones River National Park, is near Murfreesboro, in central Tennessee.

The battle fought here was one of the bloodiest of the war, and both sides lost many soldiers buried in the National Cemetery on sight.

 

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Another noted trail in Tennessee is the 445-mile long Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, which runs from Tennessee through Alabama and into Mississippi. In Tennessee, this trail starts in Nashville and stretches until Collinwood.

Visitors can go either way when accessing the trail and can stop in different towns along their trek.

 

Natchez Trace Parkway

This parkway was built to protect the Old Natchez Trace. This is a culturally significant piece of history.

It is the trail followed by native Americans because it was also the trail of game and bison.

There are many highlights along the trail, and visitors can explore many sights along the parkway.

 

Shiloh National Military Park

Tennessee was one of the key states in the Civil War, and many of the state’s parks reflect this heritage. Shiloh National Military Park is one of these locations.

This area preserves the battlefields of Corinth and Shiloh, which were both monumental battles of the war.

 

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

This is the location where Grant gathered his troops and where the civil war was a deciding battle. Visitors here can explore the many sights, join a guided tour, or go along.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the National Parks in Tennessee

 

Do the National Parks in Tennessee charge an admission fee?

Some do, some do not, while others have voluntary fees at campsites and other locations.

 

The 12 National Parks of Tennessee Offer Visitors a Lot to See

As you can see, the National Parks of Tennessee offers many activities for visitors.

From hiking to cave diving and history lessons, visitors here can learn about our country’s history, catch a trout, or take a hike and enjoy the wide-open outdoors.