Hiking
Trails
With more than one thousand miles of trails, Tennessee State Parks are perfect for exploring old-growth forests, exceptional cedar glade habitats, and unique geological rock formations. Walk through the pristine wilderness or stroll through planned native flower gardens. View spectacular waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife. Roan Mountain, South Cumberland, Frozen Head, and Fall Creek Falls are popular basecamps for exploring, but there are many others.
Looking for a place to stay on your next hiking trip?
Reserve a cabin, campsite, or lodge room online
Park Trail Maps
Looking for a trail map? Click the link below to see a list of the maps available at this park. The page includes all the trail maps we have available, organized by park. We have free and paid options that provide you with the details you need to have your next great adventure in Tennessee.
Geo-referenced PDF Maps
Did you know that certain types of PDF maps can show your exact position on a trail? These are called geo-referenced PDFS, and we are in the process of them for our parks. When the map is opened using an app on your smartphone, a dot/reference point displays on the device's screen at your exact location. These maps use your GPS, not your cell signal, so they work even when you do not have service. As you move along the trail, the dot will move with you. The map will guide your way for as long as your device's battery works.
Here is how to access our geo-referenced maps:
- Find the park you want to visit on our Park Trail Maps page using the link below.
- Click on the link for the geo-referenced map for the park you wish to visit.
- The link will take you to a third-party app and will prompt you to purchase the map.
- After you purchase the maps, download the map application on your smartphone to use them on your next hike.
The money raised from the sale of these maps funds mapping projects in state parks.
If you wish to have a free (non-geo-referenced) version of a park map, those links are provided as well on the Park Trail Maps page.
Special Hiking Events
Tennessee State Parks hosts four annual ranger-lead hikes throughout the year. A variety of educational activities and interpretive programs complement each park’s hike.
2022 Hikes
- First Day Hike - Saturday, January 1 - FIND A HIKE
- Spring Hike - Saturday, March 19 - FIND A HIKE
- National Trails Day Hike - Saturday, June 4 - FIND A HIKE
- After Thanksgiving Hike - Friday, November 25 - FIND A HIKE
Trail Difficulty
The trails found in Tennessee State Parks range from an easy walk on a paved trail to strenuous outings that can last several days and nights.
Easy
Easy trails are generally short in length, 1-2 miles, and are relatively flat (1-3% slope).
Moderate
Moderate trails have gentle slopes (3-5%) and can be 2-5 miles in length, generally with soil as the surface.
Difficult
Difficult trails tend to be found in middle and east Tennessee and have steep slopes (greater than 6%), are over 5 miles in length and can be located in rocky areas, and may include climbing up or down hillsides.
Strenuous
Strenuous trails generally offer longer hikes with steep and/or uneven terrain. Trails may be narrow with varied surfaces and include water crossings, boulders, and other obstacles.
Support Trails at TN State Parks
A good trail is like a gym membership, a living textbook, and a therapist all rolled into one. That’s why high-quality trails are the foundation of our park system. They connect visitors to the natural, cultural, and historic sites that make these places worth protecting.
Part of what makes trails at Tennessee State Parks so special is that they’re free for everyone to access and enjoy. So while the trails don’t require a cost to access, the use of trails does create an ongoing cost. Consistent use, misuse, and exposure to the elements can pose a threat to our trails.
The good news—You can help support the maintenance of trails you love and fund the construction of new trails in Tennessee State Parks! Here’s how:
Join the TSP Trail Pack
With donations made through the Tennessee State Parks Trail Pack, you can help directly fund trail maintenance projects and new builds that will improve the future of trails at Tennessee State Parks. Plus, we'll send you some unique, annual vinyl stickers with each donation.
Volunteer
Our trails need your help! When you volunteer at a state park, you become a part of what makes our trails, and the outdoor experience, so incredible. Throughout the year, there are many Tennessee State Park events that ask volunteers to lend a hand for trails.
Recommendations when going out on the trails
- Travel with family, a friend, or a buddy, and be sure to take food and water.
- Wear the proper footwear and clothing such as closed-toe shoes or boots and have a rain jacket in your daypack.
- Be sure to stop at the park office to pick up or purchase a trail map. Talk to the park staff or rangers to ask about the trail conditions and any tips you need to be aware of on that trail.
- Be sure to let others know your schedule, where you will be on the trail, and when you should be back.
- If needed, log in at the trailhead or secure overnight permits if backpacking.
For more tips on being safe, see page 13 of the Tennessee Trails Association’s Hiking Handbook, The 10 Essentials.
Tennessee State Parks support Governor Haslam’s Healthier Tennessee Initiative, which encourages Tennesseans to make healthy choices, and state park trails are a great place to start your journey.
Additional Information
