7 Breathtaking Parks In Tennessee That Showcase The Beauty Of Spring Every Year
By Meghan Kraft|Published January 09, 2021
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Once spring makes its way to Tennessee, you find heaps of locals making their way out of their houses and heading to hiking trails all over the state. The Volunteer State is gorgeous any time of year, but there’s really something about the wildflowers and blooming plant life of springtime. These 7 breathtaking parks in Tennessee are perfect for everyone to visit, whether you’re an avid hiker or beauty-seeking artist. Learn more about them below!
Known as an urban nature park, the Ijams Nature Center is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and boasts more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails. It's a great place to visit with kids, and the grounds are open every day of the year.
Rocky Fork State Park is perhaps one of the most oft-forgotten state parks in Tennessee, but with over 2,000 acres of scenic wilderness and views of the Appalachians, it's a must-visit during the beauty of the spring season. Come ready to hike and take photographs!
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3. Ghost River Section of the Wolf River - Memphis Area
The Ghost River is a section of the Wolf River, shared with the state of Mississippi that is perfect for kayaking and birdwatching. The eerie swamp scenery is enough to keep you coming back for more! The wild swampland is unlike any other in the state.
Roan Mountain is perhaps best known for its incredible rhododendron blooms in the late spring and early summer, but folks should also know that over 2,000 acres of preserved hardwood forest grow across the natural expanse. There's plenty of camping opportunities including cabin rentals, and hiking spots throughout the park.
Cades Cove is a beautifully preserved and isolated valley located on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains. The lush valley is surrounded by the mountains and makes for stunning views when the world is green with spring showers. The Cades Cove Loop is 11 miles and makes for a great driving tour with fantastic photo opportunities.
David Crockett State Park is known as the site where the famed historic hero once operated a mill. You'll find this vintage covered bridge at the park, which remains one of the few that still stand in Tennessee. There are camping opportunities galore at the park, including cabin rentals, and hiking trails for the adventurous.
Mud Island Park can be found just a short distance from downtown Memphis, and it's a popular spot for locals to visit for everything from exercise classes to the Mississippi River Museum. Admission to the park is free.
Pretty incredible, don’t you think? Which parks will you be visiting when spring arrives? Tell us in the comments!
