Best Time to Visit Tennessee National Parks
Tennessee has 11 National Park Service units that report visitation. Below, each is ranked by annual visits, with the month our data recommends for the best balance of light crowds, comfortable weather and daylight. Crowds peak in summer almost everywhere — the recommended months show where the quieter shoulder seasons fall.
| Park | Annual visits | Best time | Busiest | Quietest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky MountainsNational Park | 11,527,939 | August | Jul | Jan |
| Natchez TraceParkway | 7,994,783 | May | Jun | Feb |
| AppalachianNational Scenic Trail | 6,215,118 | September | Jul | Feb |
| Chickamauga & ChattanoogaNational Military Park | 971,647 | October | Jul | Jan |
| Big South ForkNational River & Recreation Area | 774,353 | April | Oct | Jan |
| Cumberland GapNational Historical Park | 765,010 | September | Oct | Jan |
| Stones RiverNational Battlefield | 454,614 | February | May | Feb |
| ShilohNational Military Park | 346,955 | September | May | Dec |
| Fort DonelsonNational Battlefield | 151,151 | July | Sep | Dec |
| Manhattan ProjectNational Historical Park | 56,390 | May | Jul | Jan |
| Andrew JohnsonNational Historic Site | 43,203 | September | May | Jan |