Rock Island State Park
Jstephen Coons
Rock Island State Park is an 883-acre park located on the headwaters of Center Hill Lake at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers. The rugged beauty of the park includes the Caney Fork Gorge below Great Falls Dam. The Caney Fork River Gorge contains scenic overlooks, waterfalls, deep pools and limestone paths perfect for hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and exploring. The park has two campgrounds offering 60 different campsites that can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. 10 cabins are also available to rent. Rock Island State Park is located at 82 Beach Road Rock Island, TN. For more information, click here.
Cummins Falls State Park
This picture is owned by Lindsay Miller
Cummins Falls State Park is an idyllic, but rugged, 282-acre day-use park located nine miles north of Cookeville on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River on the Eastern Highland Rim. Located in the Cordell Hull Watershed, the area has been a scenic spot and swimming hole for local residents of Jackson and Putnam counties for more than 100 years. Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall in volume of water and is 75 feet high. No camping is allowed at Cummins Falls, however, cabins and camping are offered at Standing Stone State Park and Edgar Evins State Park . Cummins Falls State Park is located at 390 Cummins Falls Ln, Cookeville, TN. For more information, click here.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Michael Hicks – Flickr
Fall Creek Falls State Park is quite possibly the most popular park in Tennessee behind the Great Smoky Mountains. Known for its waterfall cascades and meandering hikes through the heart of the state, it’s a great spot for folks that find heart in the outdoors. There are trails for all weather and seasons within the 26,000 acre state park. Hiking is arguably the most popular activity in the park, with long and short distances mapped out across the park. There are multiple day-use trails great for all ages, and even two long distance overnight trails for the more experienced. Fall Creek Falls has an inn with 145 hotel rooms and a restaurant. You can also rent one of the 30 cabins on-site or 222 campsites. Fall Creek Falls is located at 2009 Village Camp Road Spencer, TN. For more information, click here.
Burgess Falls State Park
This picture is owned by Anthony Heflin
Located on the Falling Water River, this day-use park is noted for its natural beauty and four waterfalls that cascade down from over 250 feet in elevation. The last of these falls is the most spectacular, plunging more than 130 feet into the gorge. The Burgess Falls trail is one of the most popular in the park, it’s a 1.6 mile out and back trail with an incredible view of the waterfall. Keep in mind this is a day use only park, and no camping is permitted. Burgess Falls State Park is located at 4000 Burgess Falls Dr, Sparta, TN. For more information, click here.
Frozen Head State Park
This picture is owned by Frank Kehren
Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area encompasses more than 24,000 acres of wilderness area and is named for a 3,324-foot peak in the Cumberland Mountains, the top of which is often shrouded in ice or snow in the winter months. The impressive entrance leads visitors into a vestige of densely forested, unspoiled mountain splendor — once common throughout the Cumberland Plateau. There are 20 primitive tent campsites within the park. Fifty miles of backpacking and day-hiking trails provide wildlife viewing opportunity. Many of the trailheads are located near the park office, with lesser-used trailheads located at Armes Gap and just off Highway 62 to the south. Most of the trails are open only to hiking, although mountain biking is allowed on the Lookout Tower Trail, which leads to the summit of Frozen Head. Frozen Head is located at 964 Flat Fork Road Wartburg, TN. For more information, click here.