Tennessee State Parks offer a range of budget-friendly cabin rentals, “fully-equipped to set up housekeeping.” Stone and wood Civilian Conservation Corps (“CCC”) cabins, wooden cottages or deluxe villas include kitchens or kitchenettes, porches, baths and showers, linens, fireplaces, picnic tables, and outside grills. Most have TV and fireplaces, some have AC, phones and rocking chairs on the porches. Cabins sleep four to ten, with one to three bedrooms. A slideshow tour of the cabins can be seen here.
Park activities include boating, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, swimming and horseback riding. Amenities include volleyball and tennis courts, playgrounds and ball fields, horseshoe pits and archery ranges. Canoe, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals are available in the summer. Rates vary depending on season and whether it is a weeknight or weekend rental.
Big Ridge State Park, Maynardville, East Tennessee. Big Ridge is 25 miles north of Knoxville and its structures reflect the stonework and craftsmanship of the CCC. Trails pass by vestiges of bygone homes and farms, as well as the 184 year-old Norton Gristmill and 200 year-old Sharp’s Station Fort. Big Ridge has 19 cabins, available from April to October, 5 on the lake, 14 on the ridge. Rates are $52 to $62. Make reservations here.
Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville, East Tennessee. This park is part of the Cumberland Plateau, America’s largest forested plateau which extends from western New York to central Alabama. A seven-arch sandstone bridge spans Byrd Lake here, the CCC’s most majestic structure. Residents built this park in conjunction with the CCC and Works Progress Administration (“WPA”) in the 1930s as a recreational area for homesteaders. Visitors can view the lifestyle of the early homesteaders at the nearby Homestead Museum. Cumberland Mountain State Park has fully equipped rustic cabins in wooded areas and a restaurant open year round. Rates: $52-$120. Make reservations here.
Norris Dam State Park, Lake City, East Tennessee. The Norris Dam and Reservoir was the first of the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) projects, designed to dam rivers to prevent flooding, produce electricity, and rebuild eroded farmland. It is named for Nebraska Senator George Norris, the chief author of the 1933 Tennessee Valley Authority Act. Attractions include The Lenoir Museum Cultural Complex which depicts 19th century lifestyle, Appalachian artifacts and a history of the pre-dam area. The park offers a marina, public boat ramp and pontoon boats are available for rent. Norris Dam State Park has 19 fully equipped cabins above the East Campground, and 10 deluxe cabins with lake view. Weekly rentals range from $370 to $570, nightly rentals range from $45-$95. Make reservations here.
Roan Mountain State Park, Roan Mountain, East Tennessee. This park is located at the base of Roan Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest. Park features include Carver’s Gap, the Catawba Rhododendron Gardens and the Miller Homestead, once a working farm, circa 1909. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, demonstrations and entertainment preserve the history of the era . Roan Mountain has 30 fully equipped cabins, some with telephones; none have TV. Rates range from $110 to $125 a night. Make reservations here.
Chickasaw State Park, Henderson, West Tennessee. Once part of the Chickasaw Nation, this park is located on the shore of Lake Placid. Amenities at Chickasaw include horseback riding (you may bring your own mount), the Jack Nicklaus Bear Trace Golf Course and a restaurant in the summer season. Rowboats and pedal boats can be rented. Chickasaw has 13 fully equipped cabins with TV and easy access to Lake Placid. Rates range from $80 to $162. Make reservations here.
Meemam-Shelby Forest State Park, Millington, West Tennessee. Edward J. Meemam, the conservation editor of Scripps-Howard newspapers, was instrumental in establishing this park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Meemam-Shelby borders and maintains a boat ramp on the Mississippi River, and has two lakes. The park is also home to the Meemam Museum and Nature Center. Boats with electric motors are permitted on the lakes for a small launch fee; no gasoline motors are allowed. Meemam Shelby has six fully equipped cabins in a wooded area along the shore of Poplar Tree Lake, which are equipped with VCRs and TV. Rates range from $80-$100. Make reservations here.
Natchez Trace State Park, Wildersville, West Tennessee. Natchez Trace State Park is named after the 440-mile Natchez Trace Trail, the sole land link between the ports of Mississippi and Louisiana and the Eastern states. The trail extended from Natchez to Nashville, and linked the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. The park includes four lakes, a restaurant, a wrangler camp, equestrian facility, pistol firing and archery ranges and horseback riding. Natchez Trace has 17 fully equipped wood and/or brick rustic cabins that sleep four on Cub Lake. Rates: Year round rates range from $67 to $220, and a group lodge is available for $532. Make reservations here.
For information on all Tennessee State Parks, go to the Tennessee State Park’s Homepage here.
References: Complete list and breakdown of all Tennessee State Park cabin rates; Find a Park; Sources: TN.Gov; History of Campbell County, TN; Union County Genealogy and History
