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 officially proclaimed March 2–6, 2026, as David Crockett Week, marking a powerful moment in state history. This designation recognizes the life and legacy of one of Tennessee’s most iconic figures. It also aligns with the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo and the broader America 250 celebration.
Governor Bill Lee signed the proclamation to highlight Tennessee’s role as “The Original Frontier.” The announcement reinforces the state’s deep connection to American history and national identity.
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.
“As a teacher, this is the type of field trip I have been waiting for.”
This year, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy supported a field trip design that incorporates STEM learning and habitat improvement for declining Bobwhite quail. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It represents an interdisciplinary approach that prepares students for future careers and connects kids to conservation.
Field trips are crucial for middle school STEM lessons because they provide hands-on experiences. As a result, students bring theoretical concepts to life. They also interact directly with STEM concepts, which deepens understanding and sparks curiosity.
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.
David Crockett Birthplace State Park is rising again.
After catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene in September 2024, this historic Tennessee landmark now stands at a defining moment. The park, located near Limestone in Greene County, marks the 1786 birthplace of David Crockett — frontiersman, congressman, and Alamo defender.
Today, the Tennessee State Park Conservancy is playing a key role in the bold restoration effort to rebuild the park stronger, safer, and more resilient than before.
This is more than recovery. It is a rebirth.
Run for the Trees Virtual 5K: Support Tennessee This Earth Day and Arbor Day
Run for something bigger this spring.
The Run for the Trees virtual 5K returns April 18–26, 2026.
This nationwide event supports tree planting and forest restoration.
When you choose Tennessee, your participation directly benefits Tennessee State Parks and natural areas.
Every step helps protect forests, trails, and wildlife habitat.
You have felt it before. The moment a trail opens to a waterfall, a canyon, or a quiet forest overlook. These experiences do not happen by accident. They exist because Tennessee trails are carefully built, maintained, and protected by skilled trailbuilders and dedicated supporters.
Not every path is easy to find. Some wind through deep gorges, beside roaring waterfalls, or beneath Tennessee’s wild canopy. The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is on a mission to protect these places and ensure Tennessee State Parks trails remain safe, sustainable, and accessible for generations.