Rock Island State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- reserve.tnstateparks.com(931) 837-4770
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Warren County, about 12 miles northeast of McMinnville, Rock Island State Park covers about 1,210 acres.
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a boat ramp. Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including RV sites and tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Not stated | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Park Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Tennessee State Parks reservation site (itinio platform) for camping, cabins, shelters, programs; some lodges/cabins via reseze.net; golf via foreUP
- Phone
- 1-888-867-2757 (888-TNPARKS)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Not allowed in or on: cabins.
Cabin Pet Policy A limited number of cabins are available at each park for guests who travel with their pets. Guests must sign a Pet Policy Liability Form (CN-1181) upon check-in agreeing to abide by TN State Parks pet policy set forth and there is a $20 charge per night per pet that will be assessed at check-in. Pets are strictly prohibited inside cabins unless they are specifically designated as a pet-friendly cabin and all additional pet charges are paid. Due to allergy issues, pets may not be kept on porches or decks of non-pet cabins. If pets are kept at non-pet cabins, a minimum penalty of $100.00, plus all applicable nightly pet fees will be assessed. Additional charges for damages caused by pets may also be assessed at the discretion of management. Additional charges may also be assessed at the discretion of management for any damages caused by guests, their visitors, pets, etc.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Campground | — | — | |
| Tent Campground | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Rock Island State Park offers two campgrounds for campers. The main campground has 50 sites with RV hookups while the tent only campground has 10 sites available for those who prefer to rough it.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Rock Island State Park has some of the finest Tennessee State Park cabins. Ten three bedroom, two bathroom cabins are available and located a half-mile from the natural sand beach along the Caney Fork River.
Things to do
CampingHistoric sites and toursFishingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingHikingBiking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Hole Trail | 0.15 mi | Moderate | This extremely steep, wet and rugged 0.5-mile one-way trail runs down a windy slope that extends along a beautiful waterfall seep. It is very strenuous & has many steep steps. It has been a popular fishing spot since the settlement of the area. Numerous wildflowers, mosses, and ferns can be seen. Some sections have moving and standing water. (Wetlands are fragile - please tread lightly.) This section of the river is dangerous and swimming is not permitted.HikeNatural surface |
| Bluff Trail | 1.95 mi | Moderate | Hikers and bikers are permitted on this wooded, 1.95 mile, lollipop trail that begins at the tennis court parking area. A short side spur blazed in blue brings hikers to a bench overlooking Center Hill Lake below. Hikers may catch a glimpse of a wild turkey, eagle, or coyote on this trail.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Collins Connector Trail | 0.65 mi | — | HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Collins River Loop Trail | 2.95 mi | Moderate | This wooded loop trail is a 3-mile loop along the outer edge of the Collins River peninsula. The trail winds beside the riverbank and gives the hiker a chance to view white-tailed deer, pileated woodpeckers, Christmas ferns, and a wide variety of wildflowers. New Connector Trail shortens the trail to 2 miles and takes hikers alongside two cemeteries of the first settlers.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Collins River Prarie Trail | 0.8 mi | — | HikeNatural surface |
| Cunningham Cemetery Trail | 0.2 mi | Easy | This trail leads to the historic Cunningham Cemetery. The cemetery is the burial site of John Cunningham, a US Army captain in the war of 1812, and his relatives. The trail begins at the small U-shaped parking area located between the park entrance and the TVA powerhouse.HikeNatural surface |
| Downstream Trail | 1.55 mi | Moderate | HikeNatural surface |
| Eagle Trail | 0.75 mi | Moderate | Arboretum walk with native Tennessee trees marked ends at waterfall overlook. This trail runs from the Blue Hole picnic area to the Badger Flat picnic area near the park's natural sand beach on Center Hill Lake and is naturally stocked with an abundant array of wildflowers and songbirds.Flowers include mountain laurel, pink and white trillium, little brown jug, bloodroot, and yellow violet. Some birds that can be seen include warblers, belted kingfishers and osprey.HikeNatural surface |
| Moonshine Trail | 0.35 mi | Moderate | This short half-mile trail runs past the base of an old moonshine still and is teaming with wildlife. Hikers on this trail might get to see Firepink, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, deer and barred owls. This trail begins at the tennis court parking lot and ends next to campsite 39.HikeNatural surface |
| Old Mill Gorge Trail | 0.1 mi | — | HikeNatural surface |
| Overflow Trail | 0.3 mi | — | HikeNatural surface |
| Upstream Trail | 0.2 mi | Moderate | HikeNatural surface |
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 82 Beach Road
Rock Island, TN 38581 - Nearest town
- McMinnville — about 12 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 35.8093, -85.6422
- Phone
- (931) 837-4770
- State.Parks@tn.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Tennessee State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TDEC Bureau of Conservation 'State Park Boundaries Primary' public ArcGIS view
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Twin Falls, Rock Island State Park, TN.JPG — Public domain (released by the author), Michael W. Neu
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology