Roan Mountain rhododendron gardens, undated. Tennessee Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1937-1976. ID: 32872.

Within Tennessee State Parks, there are over 1,100 miles of trails, 80 waterfalls, 17 scenic rivers and river segments, and an array of wildlife and plants. Together, they represent the broad natural landscape of Tennessee. Across the state, there are 210,000 acres of parkland featuring numerous scenic wonders that attract millions of visitors each year.

Fall Creek Falls State Park features one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States, while Meeman-Shelby Forest consists of over 12,000 acres bordering the Mississippi River. Lush hardwood forests, expansive mountains, and a 600-acre rhododendron garden are found at Roan Mountain. Whether looking for adventurous trails, historic caves and rock formations, or mountain and wildlife views, Tennessee State Parks provides countless opportunities to explore nature.

Left: A footbridge on one of the nature trails in the Shelby Forest State Park (renamed Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park), 1938. Tennessee Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1937-1976. ID: 21956.

Right: A view of the Fall Creek Falls with J. W. Wheeler of Unionville, Tennessee, in the foreground, 1947. Tennessee Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1937-1976. ID: 22478.

There are continuous efforts to maintain and protect the natural and scenic areas of Tennessee State Parks. Building off of the work of earlier New Deal programs, Tennessee State Parks under the Department of Conservation continued to maintain and protect its natural and scenic areas. In 1965, Tennessee received its first grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to combat environmental threats such as erosion, pollution, and invasive species. State Parks also used money from the LWCF to construct new dams, park buildings, cabins, and visitor centers that are still used today.

In 1971, the Natural Areas Preservation Act was passed for the protection of designated natural areas. The Division of Natural Areas works to preserve native plants, wildlife, and ecologically important areas within the designated natural areas located on both public and private lands. Since the division’s establishment, 84 natural areas have been designated. Some sites serve as both natural areas and state parks, including Reelfoot Lake and Fall Creek Falls.

More recent conservation efforts include the “Go Green With Us” program, which launched in 2015. The program focuses on sustainability within the parks to protect natural areas and wildlife.