Tennessee is blessed with 56 incredible state parks that collectively showcase its magnificent , historic, cultural and geological legacy.
With a spectacular landscape that includes jaw-dropping mountainsides, stunning waterfalls, dense forests and picturesque gullies, they offer excellent opportunities to explore the wonders of nature.
For those who love outdoor recreational activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, hunting, boating or camping, there are plenty of places you can go.
Best of all, none of them will cost you a cent, and most are open 365 days a year. So there really is little to stop you from going there!
If you are a resident of, or live near, the city of Sevierville, your geographical location means you are well placed to visit many of these public recreational spaces.
So the next time you feel the urge to head out into the great outdoors, why not pay these 5 state parks near Sevierville a visit?
Map of State Parks Near Sevierville, TN
Here is a map of the state parks in Tennessee covered by this post:
List of State Parks Near Sevierville
Most of these 5 state parks near Sevierville are located within easy driving distance of the city.
While some of them can be visited as a day trip destination, all of them have different camping accommodation options too for those who want to stay a few nights.
1. Rock Island State Park
Location: 82 Beach Rd, Rock Island, TN 38581
Situated just over a 2 hour and 30 minute drive east of Sevierville, Rock Island State Park lies where all three of the Rocky, Collins and Caney Fork Rivers meet.
Nestled at the headwaters of Center Hill Lake, this is an ideal destination for those who enjoy recreational water based activities.
Set over 883 splendid acres, this park provides an abundance of SUP, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities. While fishing and swimming are regularly practiced as well.
Perhaps the park’s main attraction is the wonderful Great Falls Dam. It cascades over 30 feet with rigorous intent, and its beautiful horseshoe shape makes it one of the park’s most photographed locations.
All up, there are two campgrounds here, which offer both electrical and water hookups, along with modern bathhouses that are furnished with warm showers and toilets.
2. Edgar Evins State Park
Location: 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Rd, Silver Point, TN 38582
The Edgar Evins State Park is another public recreational space that is a 2 hour and 30 minute drive from Sevierville.
Nestled on the picturesque shores of Center Hill Lake, this park lies within the Eastern Highland Rim. Incorporating some 6,000 acres, much of which resides within hilly and steep terrain, it possesses a stunning location that offers plenty of photographic opportunities.
A haven too for those who like fishing, hiking and boating, the campground here is nestled on the fringes of the lake.
It offers 60 tent and trailer campsites which come with water and electrical hookups. It also has three separate bathhouses that come with hot showers, a small fire circle and sewage dump station.
There is a large on-site marina too, which features a restaurant, gift shop and boating rentals. While there is also a fabulous swimming pool as well.
3. Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Location: 328 Cedar Forest Rd, Lebanon, TN 37090
At 2 hours and 45 minutes, the Cedars of Lebanon State Park is a further drive east of Sevierville.
Defined by the stunning eastern red cedar trees, which are widespread throughout the region, this park has been a popular vacation and day trip haunt with outdoor enthusiasts since 1955.
Spread across 1,139-acres, the park comprises a fantastic landscape of lush woodlands, impressive limestone glades, fabulous meadows and vibrant flora. All of which merge seamlessly with enchanting caves, picturesque creeks, cavernous sinkholes, scenic butterfly gardens.
This pet friendly park is a terrific spot for hiking and photography, and if you are in mind to camp overnight, there are 117 sites for you to choose from, within three different camping areas.
All three of them boast modern bathhouses that come with toilets and hot showers, in addition to a laundromat and camp store.
4. Tims Ford State Park
Location: 570 Tims Ford Dr, Winchester, TN 37398
The Tims Ford State Park is another beautiful lakeside place to visit.
It will take you about 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive there in a southwesterly direction. But once there, you will find a spectacular 3,546-acre state park which is centered around the Tims Ford Reservoir.
An exceptional spot for fishing, particularly for bass, the lake is also a very popular destination for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, row boating and SUP.
Golf lovers too, flock here for the chance to play on The Bear Trace. A wonderful 18 hole, championship standard golf course which was designed by the legendary golfer, Jack Nicklaus.
Throughout the park there are numerous hiking trails which lead you to different scenic sections. You will also find two pavilions and a marina within its boundaries as well.
In terms of accommodation, 168 campsites are distributed across three areas, all of which have 30-amp electric service and water hookups.
5. Chickasaw State Park
Location: 20 Cabin Ln #4128, Henderson, TN 38340
At 5 hours and 30 minutes east, the Chickasaw State Park is well worth visiting.
Named in honor of a tribe who previously lived in the region, this prepossessing 1,280 acre park is set within a larger 14,384 acre state forest, which encompasses some of the highest areas in West Tennessee.
This makes it a very popular destination for those who love hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. While its two major bodies of water, Lake Lajoie and Lake Placid, are both well suited to fishing, swimming and the likes of kayaking, SUP, canoeing and row boating.
Another state park that features a spectacular 18 hole, par 72, Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, Chickasaw is also a bird lovers paradise. With around 100 different species residing in the pine and mixed forest hardwood trees that are so prevalent in the park.
For those who will need overnight accommodation, there are three very good campgrounds here which house 114 sites. All of which range from those who offer full water and electrical hookups, to tent and RV sites, as well as those designed for horses.
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