This April, you have a powerful opportunity to support Tennessee State Parks, the places that bring peace, adventure, and connection to nature.
Through the My TN State Parks campaign 2026, your donation directly funds trails, outdoor education, and conservation efforts across all 63 state parks.
Every dollar you give creates real impact.
Tennessee’s oldest state park has a strong, vibrant Friends group. Harrison Bay State Park spans 1,200 acres and includes nearly 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake shoreline. TVA originally developed it as a recreation area in the 1930s.
The park’s name comes from a large bay along the Tennessee River’s main channel. That bay covers the old town of Harrison and the last Cherokee Campground. The Cherokee Campground included three villages ruled by one of the last great Cherokee chieftains.
Harrison Bay became Tennessee’s first state park in 1937. Today, it sits in Hamilton County near Chattanooga.
This state park honors its namesake, Alvin Cullum York, one of the most decorated U.S. Army soldiers of World War I. Located in Pall Mall, Tennessee, the state established Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in 1967 after York’s wife, Gracie, donated their farm. The park also preserves York’s two-story house, general store, and post office.
When Tennessee Governor Bill Lee unveiled his bold vision to grow our state park system to 70 parks, we knew this was our moment to make a lasting impact.
Now, that vision is becoming reality. The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy (TSPC) is thrilled to partner with Tennessee State Parks in creating two new state parks by the end of 2026—expanding access to the natural beauty that defines our state.
The My TN State Parks Annual Fundraiser continues to transform parks across Tennessee. In 2025, donor support created measurable impact statewide. Your gifts strengthened conservation, improved public safety, enhanced wildlife care, and expanded family-friendly education. If you want to support Tennessee State Parks, your donation funds projects like these. As we prepare for the April 1, 2026, campaign kickoff, we celebrate what your generosity made possible.
Giving Tuesday inspires people everywhere to embrace generosity and support the places and causes that matter most to them. Each year, millions join this global movement to celebrate community, kindness, and the power of giving. For Tennesseans, Giving Tuesday offers a meaningful chance to protect the state parks that shape our families, memories, and outdoor traditions.
Tennessee State Parks Conservancy works year-round to protect the trails, educational programs, and accessible experiences that make our parks special. Giving Tuesday fuels this mission by bringing people together to create shared impact. This blog explores ways you can participate, including giving, volunteering, or forming a giving circle to support the long-term health of Tennessee State Parks.
Volunteer Week at Tennessee State Parks takes place September 19–28. It leads up to National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event. Each year, thousands of people join efforts across the country to restore, improve, and celebrate public lands.
In 1993, state legislature authorized private, non-profit groups to organize for maintaining and enhancing the purposes, programs, and functions of the state park system. These groups, known as Friends, are concerned citizens who have banded together to assist in protecting, preserving and promoting the beauty and the splendor of their favorite state park.
Since 1978, a group of rangers and their horses have responded to emergencies, patrolled remote areas of state parks and been friendly faces at park events. Today, there are six parks that are home to Mounted Patrol Rangers.
Tennessee State Parks mean something special to each of us. From hiking trails to family picnics, these natural spaces give us room to breathe, play, and reconnect. In 2025, the My TN State Park Fundraiser gave park lovers a chance to show how much they care, and their response made it a remarkable year. Through generous donations, supporters showed appreciation, improved their favorite parks, and championed continued investment in Tennessee’s outdoor future.
The 2025 My TN State Park Fundraiser brought in strong support from across Tennessee, with 1,305 donors contributing $109,394. Each donation doubled as a vote, letting supporters back the parks they love in a fun and interactive way.
This engaging format helped raise essential funds while sparking friendly competition and deeper connections to Tennessee State Parks statewide. Every dollar will support meaningful projects that preserve our state’s natural beauty and enhance park experiences for future generations.