Tennessee's Very First State Park Is Still One Of The Best And Here's Why You Need To Visit
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Meghan Kraft
Author
We’ve said it time and time again that Tennessee is one of the most historic states in the entire country. Even our local history is absolutely fascinating! And there’s a good chance that the history took place in a breathtakingly beautiful spot because, let’s face it, all of Tennessee is breathtakingly beautiful. Harrison Bay State Park is no exception. Though it may be one of the lesser-known state parks in Tennessee, it is the oldest, and it’s definitely worth a visit.
If you asked the average Tennessean, they probably wouldn't be able to tell you what is the first state park ever in Tennessee.
The answer is Harrison Bay State Park, a small park right on the banks of Chickamauga Lake in Southern Tennessee.
Here's a picture of the park's restaurant back in the day. Pretty cool that there's so much history on this small stretch of the banks of Chickamauga Lake!
But that's not all the history that's here. The park is called Harrison Bay because there was a town named Harrison along the Tennessee River at that location. When the TVA built the dam and flooded the area, the town went underwater.
If you thought the history ended there, you're totally wrong. The site is also home to the last Cherokee campground in the area.
The park is known for its waterfront views, but there are also multiple trails for people to explore along the shore. The 4.5-mile Bay Point trail takes you out to the tip of the park along the shore.
Not many people may know about Harrison Bay, but that's what makes it the perfect spot to get away from the crowds and explore the Tennessee's natural beauty. You can visit for yourself in the town of Harrison at 8411 Harrison Bay Road.
If you’re looking for even more Tennessee lake fun, check out these floating cabins on Nickajack Lake!
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