State Parks Near Athens, Tennessee
15 state park units lie within 50 miles of Athens, including 2 parks across the line in Georgia. The closest is Hiwassee Scenic River State Park, about 15 mi south of town. 3 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Hiwassee Scenic River State Park15 mi south
- Within 25 miles
- 3of 15 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 104 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 5pets allowed
State parks near Athens, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Athens; driving distance is usually longer.
Hiwassee Scenic River State Park
For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Hiwassee Scenic River State Park →Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park
Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park is a park in Meigs County, about 6 miles south of Dayton.
Hours, fees and rules for Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park →Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Loudoun State Historic Park →Ocoee River State Park
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and hiking. Water access includes a boat ramp. Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Ocoee River State Park →Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park
Visitors come for golf, historic sites, disc golf, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park →Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park
Things to do include hiking. For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park →Harrison Bay State Park
The park supports golf, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. On the water side, there is a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals. For overnight stays there are 5 camping areas (RV sites, tent sites, and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Harrison Bay State Park →Red Clay State Historic Park
The park supports historic sites and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Red Clay State Historic Park →Cumberland Mountain State Park
The park supports golf, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. On the water side, there is boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 6 camping areas, with RV sites, tent sites, and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Cumberland Mountain State Park →North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park
Things to do include swimming, fishing, and hiking. Overnight options include 4 camping areas, with tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Hours, fees and rules for North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park →Booker T. Washington State Park
Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, and biking. Water access includes a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals. There are also lodge rooms for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Booker T. Washington State Park →Fall Creek Falls State Park
The park supports golf, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Fall Creek Falls State Park →Frozen Head State Park
The park supports fishing, biking, and hiking. For overnight stays there are 11 camping areas (RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Frozen Head State Park →Fort Mountain State Park
Visitors come for golf, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, and biking. The official site lists about 27 miles of trails. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Mountain State Park →Chief Vann House State Historic Site
Visitors come for historic sites and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Chief Vann House State Historic Site →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Athens
- Hiwassee Scenic River State Park 15 mi south · Campground listed
- Ocoee River State Park 25 mi south · Campground listed
- Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park 33 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Harrison Bay State Park 35 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Cumberland Mountain State Park 38 mi northwest · Campground listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Athens
- Cumberland Mountain State Park 38 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Booker T. Washington State Park 40 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Fall Creek Falls State Park 44 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Fort Mountain State Park 48 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Athens
- Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park 33 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Cumberland Mountain State Park 38 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park 39 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Fall Creek Falls State Park 44 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Chief Vann House State Historic Site 49 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Athens
- Harrison Bay State Park 35 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Cumberland Mountain State Park 38 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park 39 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Booker T. Washington State Park 40 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Fall Creek Falls State Park 44 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 1 more in the list above
Hiking near Athens
- Fort Loudoun State Historic Park 24 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Ocoee River State Park 25 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park 28 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park 33 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Harrison Bay State Park 35 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 8 more in the list above
Fishing near Athens
- Fort Loudoun State Historic Park 24 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Ocoee River State Park 25 mi south · Fishing listed
- Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park 28 mi north · Fishing listed
- Harrison Bay State Park 35 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Cumberland Mountain State Park 38 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Athens
What is the closest state park to Athens?
Hiwassee Scenic River State Park is the closest, about 15 miles south of Athens in a straight line. Next are Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park and Fort Loudoun State Historic Park.
How many state parks are near Athens?
15 state park units are within 50 miles, and 3 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Athens have camping?
10 parks list camping, the nearest being Hiwassee Scenic River State Park, Ocoee River State Park and Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Athens?
Yes, at 5 parks, including Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park, Cumberland Mountain State Park and North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Athens?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Cleveland, TN24 mi southwest
- Near Farragut, TN38 mi northeast
- Near Crossville, TN42 mi northwest
- Near Chattanooga, TN45 mi southwest
- Near Knoxville, TN51 mi northeast
- Near McMinnville, TN68 mi west
- Near Cookeville, TN70 mi northwest
- Near Manchester, TN83 mi west
Or see all Tennessee state parks, Georgia state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.