National Parks Near Memphis! There’s so much more to the Volunteer State than Graceland. In this article, More Than Just Parks gives you some exciting vacation destinations within a day’s drive of Memphis.
I’ve been to so many of these amazing places since retiring from teaching in 2018. Did I mention that I taught history? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind these momentous sites. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing the stories of these incredible places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!
To be clear, this list includes national park sites (as in sites managed by the National Park Service) as well as full-fledged national parks. To learn more about the difference between the various National Park Service designations check out our article that explains everything!
Now let’s go ahead with 10 reasons why you’ll want to hop in your car and make a day’s drive from Memphis to one of these truly amazing places.
Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Memphis?
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. My sons have spent their entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
As for me, I’m a retired lifelong educator and a proud dad of these two wonderful guys who are hopelessly obsessed with the national parks. I taught history for over a quarter of a century. Now I enjoy researching and writing articles for More Than Just Parks. I’m always on the hunt for topics where nature and history intersect so please feel free to share any ideas that you might have with me.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Meet The Parks Brothers
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
Best National Parks Near Memphis
1. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Distance From Memphis: Five hours & 45 minutes via I-40 & I-40 E.
Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries.
The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
Outdoor activities are plentiful and include the following:
- Enjoy A Sunrise Or Sunset: There are overlooks all along the Big South Fork River gorge where you can catch the suns first or last rays of the day.
- Take A Hike: You can choose from any number of hikes ranging from a lazy stroll along the river to a multi-day hike through the backcountry.
- Go Horseback Riding: Big South Fork has miles of horse trails, stabling facilities at Bandy Creek Stables and even two equestrian campgrounds at Station Camp in Tenn. and Bear Creek in Ky.
- See The Wildflowers: In the spring time you can find spectacular displays of wildflowers and native plants along many trails in the park.
- Biking, Climbing Or Whitewater Rafting: Try whitewater rafting the Big South Fork River, mountain biking through the backcountry or rock climbing on the miles of cliff lines throughout the park. (Source: NPS)
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2. Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
Distance From Memphis: Five hours & 10 minutes via I-40 & I-24 E.
During the Civil War, Chattanooga was the “Gateway to the Deep South.” Battles were fought there and at Chickamauga which proved decisive in the ultimate defeat of the Confederacy.
History buffs remember that it was at Chickamauga that Union General William Rosecrans was beaten by Confederate General Braxton Bragg.
The Battle of Chickamauga was a successful attempt by the Confederate army of General Braxton Bragg to halt the Union advances through Tennessee.
RELATED: Top 10 BEST Civil War Sites in America
The Greatest Victory For The Confederates In The West
It resulted in the greatest victory for the Confederates in the Western theatre of the war and was the second bloodiest battle of the entire war, with 16,170 Union and 18,454 Confederate casualties.
And it occurred at a time when the Confederates were meeting with defeat at the Siege of Vicksburg in the West and the Battle of Gettysburg in the East.
The Union Army was saved from complete annihilation by the stubborn defense of George Thomas and his soldiers.
This defense earned Thomas the nickname of the “Rock of Chickamauga.”
It’s important to remember, however, that Chickamauga was the opening act in this drama.
A new leading actor, by the name of Ulysses S. Grant, was about to take the field.
A Union Victory at Chattanooga
The battered Union forces were then reorganized under the leadership of Ulysses S. Grant.
They went on to win battles at Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. These victories opened the west to Union forces.
At the Battle of Lookout Mountain, Union forces under the command of General George “Rock of Chickamauga” Thomas swept the Confederates from the field.
The victories forced the Confederates back into Georgia, ending the siege of the vital railroad junction of Chattanooga and paving the way for Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and march to Savannah, Georgia, in 1864.
RELATED: 10 BEST Civil War Sites In America
Relive That History Today
Today, you can relive part of this exciting history at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. The center is located at the north end of Chickamauga National Military Park. Inside are museum exhibits on the Battle of Chickamauga and Campaign for Chattanooga.
And If You’re A History Buff Like Me . . .
If you love history as much as I do and you’re particularly interested in how this conflict impacted the men who fought in it then I heartily recommend Six Armies in Tennessee: The Chickamauga and Chattanooga Campaigns by Steven E. Woodworth.
Woodworth is a gifted writer who uses primary sources skillfully to take his readers into the hearts and minds of the everyday soldiers.
3. Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Distance From Memphis: Two hours and 41 minutes via I-40 & TN-76 E.
The Battle of Fort Donelson, which took place from February 11-16, 1862, was one of the Union’s first major victories.
Following his victory at Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, Union General Ulysses S. Grant marched his troops to Fort Donelson.
On February 13th, a Union gunboat opened fire on the fort.
Additional ships and soldiers arrived, giving Grant an almost three-to-one advantage over the Confederate forces. On February 15th, Confederate troops counter-attacked.
RELATED: Top 10 BEST Civil War Sites in America
“Unconditional Surrender” Grant
The unflappable Grant reorganized his men, occupied the outer defenses of the fort and applied pressure which led many Confederate soldiers to flee.
When Confederate General Simon Buckner asked Grant his terms for surrender, he gave an historic reply:
“No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.” Grant’s response earned him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”
The victories at Forts Henry and Donelson helped make Grant a hero in the Union.
Vastly outnumbered, the Confederates immediately surrendered and gave the Union control of much of the Cumberland River.
To learn more about this important battle, I recommend The Battle of Fort Donelson: No Terms but Unconditional Surrender by James R. Knight.
The General Who Would Be President
Did you know that Grant was an average student at West Point? Well, there’s obviously more to life than book learning which is painful for a former history teacher to admit.
Of all the generals to become president, only three were professional soldiers who spent their entire lives in the military before becoming president. Grant was one. The other two were George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower.
Grant Was A Gifted Writer
Here’s another interesting fact. For an average student, Grant was a gifted writer. After leaving the presidency, he became ill.
Grant was also financially destitute due to bad investment decisions which he had made.
Worried about his wife’s financial future, he decided to write his memoirs. He wrote them as he was dying from throat cancer, show a clear, concise style, and his autobiography is considered among the best, if not the best, written by a President.
I highly recommend The Complete Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant written by none other than Ulysses S. Grant.
Things To See & Do At Fort Donelson
Located along the beautiful banks of the Cumberland River, the Fort Donelson National Battlefield is a wonderful place to visit.
You can drive the actual battlefield grounds. First, however, I would recommend a trip to the visitor center.
There’s a great park film that helps you understand the battle and why Fort Donelson was so important for the Union forces.
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A 6-Mile Trail With 11 Stops
The park has a 6-mile trail with 11 stops.
It’s a self-guided driving tour that takes you through battlefield sites, the spot where Union soldiers camped for the night before the surrender, and into the small town of Dover.
There you can see the historic Dover Hotel. It’s the site where Ulysses S. Grant accepted the Confederate surrender of the Fort from his old friend Simon B. Buckner.
While you’re there, you may also want to visit the Fort Donelson National Cemetery. The names of the soldiers interred in the Fort Donelson National Cemetery have been compiled from original cemetery records.
4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Distance From Memphis: Six hours via I-40 & I-40 E.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the is the most visited national park in the country and a true monument to the beauty of the Appalachians.
Established in the depths of the Great Depression by generous local communities, wealthy philanthropists like John D. Rockefeller Jr., and the U.S. government, this pristine area was spared from further logging and development and is now a premiere outdoor destination belonging to all Americans.
Nestled in the misty mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains is easily one of the most beautiful national parks on the planet.
If you’re wondering how crowded the park is considering it’s the most visited national park in the country – you might be surprised by the answer.
While it certainly depends on where you go in the park and what time of year you visit, Great Smoky Mountains doesn’t see anywhere near the crowding that parks like Zion or Yosemite do these days.
About Great Smoky Mountains
Nestled in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains is a place where time seems to have stood still.
Here are the last remains of the ancient forests that once dominated the Eastern United States.
In the words of President Franklin Roosevelt,
“there are trees here that stood before our forefathers ever came to this continent; there are brooks that still run as clear as on the day the first pioneer cupped his hand and drank from them.”
These misty mountains are home to America’s most visited national park, a land of vast hardwood forests, clear mountain streams, frontier cabins, and iconic wildlife.
Watch the Award-Winning Video
5. Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Distance From Memphis: Five hours & 24 minutes via I-40 & I-40 E.
Where can you go from the Great Smoky Mountains to the dawn of the nuclear age? Why Tennessee of course!
It’s there that the United States began developing the deadliest weapon known to humankind.
The Manhattan Project was the code name for the American-led effort to develop a functional atomic weapon during World War II.
The development of the atomic bomb brought together some of the world’s leading scientific minds, as well as the U.S. military. Most of the work was done at Los Alamos, New Mexico.
On July 16, 1945, the team of scientists led by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, in a remote desert location near Alamogordo, New Mexico, successfully detonated first atomic bomb.
This detonation created an enormous mushroom cloud some 40,000 feet high ushering in the Atomic Age. The explosive force was estimated to be equivalent to an 8.0 earthquake.
As a retired history teacher and a lifelong history buff, I can tell you that the best book to read if you’re interested in the story behind the Manhattan Project is The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. His Pulitzer Prize–winning book details the science, the people, and the sociopolitical realities that led to the development of the atomic bomb.
But Let’s Not Forget About Oak Ridge, Tennessee
The rolling hills and narrow valleys of East Tennessee proved to be the ideal location for the top-secret atomic weapons program developed here beginning in 1942.
Oak Ridge, TN was instrumental in the United States win over Nazi Germany during WWII because of the development of the atomic bomb.
Known as the “Secret City”, Oak Ridge was not on any maps and 100,000 workers were brought to the city to work on a Top Secret war project, known as the Manhattan Project.
This city became home to several massive Manhattan Project facilities employing thousands of workers during and after World War II and was the headquarters for the project after relocating from New York City.
These facilities in Oak Ridge operated with one goal in mind—enriching uranium for use in the world’s first atomic bomb. (Source: NPS)
Now when it comes to things to do, there’s nothing top secret about that. Oak Ridge is home to four museums and you can visit them all on your next visit to the Secret City.
Be sure to visit the American Museum of Science and Energy, the K-25 History Museum, The Oak Ridge History Museum, and the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum.
6. Natchez Trace Parkway
Distance From Memphis: Two hours & 21 minutes via I-22 & Natchez Trace Parkway.
Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in America. The parkway is a two-lane road which goes through nearly 450 miles of protected land.
You can travel from Nashville, Tennessee, through Alabama and on to Natchez, Mississippi.
Take your time as you go and you’ll see a wonderful array of wildlife, gorgeous waterfalls, memorable hikes and historic sites, some dating back thousands of years.
The Trace is especially gorgeous in the fall when the trees lining the roadway explode in color.
One helpful resource is a Guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway by Tim & Taryn Chase Jackson. The authors point out the fantastic food options and unforgettable attractions you’ll find along the way.
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Walk The Same Ground As Spanish Explorers
This beautiful parkway follows the path of the original Natchez Trace Trail. It has quite a history too!
Native Americans were the first humans to use this path. By the 1500s, explorers like Spain’s Hernando de Soto, were also following it as they explored the Americas.
By the nineteenth century, it became an important trade route between Nashville and the Mississippi River.
It continued to flourish until the rise of the steamboat. After that, it was largely forgotten until the National Park Service (NPS) took over the route in 1938.
The NPS finally completed the Parkway in 2005.
7. Natchez Trace Scenic National Trail
Distance From Memphis: One hour & 40 minutes via I-22.
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is made up of of five trail segments, all of which can be accessed from the Natchez Trace Parkway.
When you walk it, you’re walking through history.
There are about 60 miles of trail which include areas ranging from 3 to 25 miles in length. In some cases the trails follow the original Natchez Trace.
There are also newer hiking trails following the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Best Places To Visit
Imagine what it was like to journey on the Old Trace. The pioneers endured bad food, bugs, disease, heat, swollen rivers, and dangerous swamps.
You don’t have to imagine if you follow the Sunken Trace.
The good news is that it only will take you five minutes, instead of the endless days these folks endured, to walk this trail.
Let your imagination carry you back to the early 1800s and be thankful you weren’t there to share in these privations.
8. Obed Wild & Scenic River
Distance From Memphis: Five hours & 15 minutes via I-40 & I-40 E.
There’s an old saying that “history repeats itself.” In the case of the Obed Wild & Scenic River, this is most certainly true.
It looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s.
While meagerly populated due to poor farming soil, the river was a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers.
Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Outdoor activities at the Obed include: birdwatching, bouldering, fishing, hiking, paddling and rock climbing.
River paddling excursions combine excitement with skill and adventure. Rock climbing tests your strength, endurance, and dexterity.
Hiking along our trails can be both relaxing and challenging.
For those who prefer a more calming activity, the Obed can be a great place to catch some fish or do some bird watching.
9. Shiloh National Military Park
Distance From Memphis: One hour & 53 minutes via US-72 E & TN-57 E.
It was Robert E. Lee who once said, “It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.” The Battle of Shiloh proved Lee’s point.
On April 7th, 1862, the battle was fought. The 23,741 casualties at Shiloh were five times the number versus the First Battle of Bull Run in July of 1861.
They were more casualties in this one battle than all of the war’s major battles (Bull Run, Wilson’s Creek, Fort Donelson and Pea Ridge) up to that date combined.
Also Known As The Battle Of Pittsburg Landing
Also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, it allowed Union troops to penetrate the Confederate interior. The battle pitted Union General Ulysses S. Grant against Confederate General Albert Sydney Johntson.
The Union army how has nearly 54,000 men near Pittsburgh Landing and outnumbered Beauregard’s army of around 30,000.
Johnston, however, intercepted the Federals 22 miles northeast of Corinth at Pittsburg Landing in an attack which totally took Grant by surprise.
Grant found himself caught off guard by this surprise attack orchestrated by Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston.
“The Devil’s Own Day”
On April 6, 1862, the first day of the battle was a difficult one for the Union. Grant suffered heavy losses.
At the end of the first day’s fighting, Grant’s second-in-command, William Tecumseh Sherman remarked:
Well, Grant, we’ve had the devil’s own day, haven’t we?” To which Grant replied, “Yes, lick “em tomorrow, though.”
During the first day’s fighting, Confederate Commander Albert Sydney Johnston was shot in the right knee. The bullet severed an artery and the commander bled to death.
Grant Orders A Counterattack
Despite having everything go wrong for him, Grant ordered a counterattack on April 7th, which drove the Confederates from the field. This time, it was the Confederates who were caught off guard.
They were forced to fall back. Their new commander, General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, decided that the essential arithmetic favored the Union. He ordered a withdrawal.
The South’s defeat at Shiloh ended the Confederacy’s hopes of blocking the Union advance into Mississippi. It doomed the Confederate military initiative in the West.
It also provided the Union with a much-needed boost in morale given Robert E. Lee’s victories in the east.
As a retired history teacher and lifelong Civil War buff, I have devoured more books on this subject than I care to remember. One that’s definitely worth reading if you’re interested in learning more about the battle and how it helped educate Ulysses S. Grant is Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862 by O. Edward Cunningham. Many Shiloh experts and park rangers consider it to be the best overall examination of the battle ever written.
RELATED: 10 BEST Civil War Sites In America
To Learn More About Shiloh
So many books have been written about the Civil War and the various battles that took place. Of course, the big three authors when it comes to war are, in my humble opinion, Bruce Catton, Shelby Foote and James M. McPherson.
What these three have written are the best collections of books encompassing the war as a whole.
You can’t go wrong with any of these authors. My personal favorite is Shelby Foote. I have read his fabulous three volume history of the Civil War–twice!
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Read About The Battle Of Shiloh
When it comes to the Battle of Shiloh, however, I’m going to recommend three books none of which have been written by the three men mentioned above (please forgive me). I previously recommended one of these and it’s still the best of the bunch in my opinion, but I’m going to recommend it again along with two others.
To gain an understanding of this battle, its strategic importance, and how it influenced the outcome of the war, I recommend:
- Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862, by O. Edward Cunningham
- Shiloh, Bloody Shiloh by Wiley Sword
- Shiloh: The Battle That Changed the Civil War by Larry J. Daniel.
THINGS TO DO AT SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
The world’s greatest learning laboratory is where history happened. At the Shiloh Battlefield and the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center there are exhibits spaces which show visitors the weapons of war, the people who used those weapons, and the effects of their use.
Dive Into The Past
At Shiloh Military Park visitors can dive into the past. Things to do include:
- Museums/Interpretive Centers: Both the Shiloh Battlefield and the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center have large exhibit spaces dedicated to showing visitors the tools of war, the people who used those tools, and the effects of their use.
- Audio Visuals/Films: Both the Shiloh Battlefield and the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center have excellent films and displays. Shiloh Battlefield is now showing the award-winning film, Shiloh: Fiery Trial. The Corinth Center has two short modern, state of the art films – one on the Battle of Shiloh and one on the Battle of Corinth, and a new movie entitled Corinth: A Town Amidst War.
- Self-Guided Auto Tour: The Shiloh Battlefield has a 12.7 mile auto tour route with 22 tour stops at such famous places as the Peach Orchard, the Hornet’s Nest, and the Albert Sidney Johnston death site. Visitors may also take auto and walking tours of Civil War Corinth, MS. This route includes surviving Civil War fortifications, homes used by Civil War Generals, and portions of the Corinth Battlefield.
- Ranger Programs: The park staff at Shiloh Battlefield conducts daily ranger-led interpretive programs during the peak season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Living History: Both Shiloh and Corinth host several living history and special events throughout the year, mostly from April to October.
10. Stones River National Battlefield
Distance From Memphis: Three hours & 21 minutes via I-40.
As 1862 drew to a close, President Abraham Lincoln was desperate for a military victory.
His armies were stalled, and the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg spread a pall of defeat across the nation.
General Braxton Bragg’s 34,700-man Confederate army was confronted on Stones River by 41,400 Union troops under General William S. Rosencrans, who had orders to drive Bragg out of eastern Tennessee.
After a day of bitter and intense fighting, the battered Union army was on the verge of retreating, but Rosecrans decided to hold fast.
On January 3, Bragg’s equally exhausted Confederate forces withdrew southward. Rosecrans’s tenacity thus averted a potentially serious Union defeat.
Union casualties numbered 12,906; Confederate losses totaled 11,739. (Source: Britannica)
This battle was more important than people realized at the time. If you’re interested in learning more about it than I recommend reading the Battle of Stones River: The Forgotten Conflict between the Confederate Army of Tennessee and the Union Army of the Cumberland by Larry J. Daniel.
Things To Do At Stones River
The landscapes of Stones River National Battlefield offer visitors an array of historic and natural features to experience bicycling, hiking and walking.
If you are a history buff then two places I recommend visiting are Fortress Rosencrans and the Stones River National Cemetery.
If you are a film buff then you should know that outdoor filming activities [outside of areas managed as wilderness] involving five persons or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras, is permitted.
Map Of National Parks Near Memphis
List Of National Parks Near Memphis
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
- Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
- Fort Donelson National Battlefield
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park
- Natchez Trace Parkway
- Natchez Trace Scenic National Trail
- Obed Wild & Scenic River
- Shiloh National Military Park
- Stones River National Battlefield
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
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