Tennessee State Park Elopements: The Best Places to Get Married
If your idea of a perfect wedding day involves being surrounded by nature and you have approximately zero interest in planning a day that’s basically a checklist of traditions that don’t hold any meaning for you, you’re in the right place.
Tennessee state parks are some of the best places to elope in Tennessee, whether you’re dreaming of standing beside a waterfall, hiking to a mountain overlook, wandering through the woods, or simply spending an entire day outside with the person you’re marrying.
And while you’ll find plenty of information online about Tennessee state park weddings, most if it is geared toward traditional weddings and larger gatherings. That’s great if you’re looking for a venue, tables, catering, and have a guest list. But what if you really just want to get married somewhere beautiful and make a day of it?
That’s where a Tennessee state park elopement comes in.
Tennessee has an incredible variety of state parks, so the hardest part may be deciding which one feels like you.
Why Elope in a Tennessee State Park?
One of my favorite things about eloping in Tennessee is that you don’t have to choose between a beautiful ceremony location and an actual experience.
Your wedding day can include anything you can imagine! Hike down a scenic trail, have a picnic by the lake, or find a quiet overlook where it’s just the two of you.
And you don’t necessarily need to bring anyone else.
If you do want your family or closest friends there, that’s completely doable too. Some parks have established wedding venues and event spaces, while others are better suited to smaller outdoor ceremonies. Tennessee state parks specifically offers options ranging from outdoor ceremonies to larger indoor wedding venues.
But if you’re imagining something much smaller? That’s where these parks really shine.
The Best Tennessee State Parks for Elopements
There isn’t one perfect Tennessee state park for every couple. Some are better for waterfalls, some for mountains, some for quiet forest trails, and some make it incredibly easy to combine your ceremony with a day full of exploring.
Here are some of my favorites for an adventurous Tennessee elopement.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Best for: waterfalls, hiking, dramatic scenery, and an entire adventure day
The park is enormous, with waterfalls, gorges, streams, forests, and more than 50 miles of hiking trails. Its namesake waterfall drops 256 feet, and there are several other waterfalls and cascades throughout the park.
That gives us a lot of possibilities for building a wedding day around more than just a ceremony.
You could exchange vows somewhere beautiful, explore a few trails, stop at overlooks and spend the rest of the day taking in the park together.
And if you’re looking for a Tennessee state park wedding venue for a larger celebration, Fall Creek Falls has those options too. But for an elopement? I’d much rather help you create a day that feels like an adventure than simply just showing up, saying your vows, taking a few photos and calling it a day.
Is this park sounding like the place you can see yourself getting married in? My Fall Creek Falls Elopement Guide is packed with even more info to help you make your decision.
**Before you start planning, check Fall Creek Falls State Park’s current information and regulations for the latest park details, closures, and event requirements.**
Foster Falls/Fiery Gizzard
Best for: couples who want a waterfall and don’t mind earning it
Foster Falls is one of those places that makes you understand why Tennessee is such a good state for outdoor elopements.
This is a great option if you’re the kind of couple who sees a hiking trail on a wedding day and thinks, Obviously we’re hiking.
The Fiery Gizzard area gives you dramatic cliffs, forests, overlooks and waterfalls, making it especially good for couples who want to feel adventurous rather than overly polished.
And yes, you can absolutely hike in your wedding attire.
Check out my Foster Falls Elopement Guide for even more information on what an elopement in this park could look like.
**You can also find the current trail, park and planning information through Fiery Gizzard State Park before you lock anything in.**
Rock Island State Park
Best for: dramatic waterfalls, river views and couples who want something a little different
Rock Island is one of those places I could photograph all day.
The park sits where the Caney Fork, Collins River and Rocky River come together, creating some seriously beautiful scenery. Water, rocks, cliffs and forest give you a completely different feel from the classic mountain and waterfall locations.
**Rock Island State Park is the best place to check current park information and any rules that could affect your plans.**
It’s also a great option if you want the scenery to be dramatic without necessarily committing to an all-day mountain hike. I go into a lot more detail about the park in my Rock Island Elopement Guide.
Burgess Falls State Park
Best for: waterfall lovers who want dramatic scenery without an enormous adventure day
Burgess Falls is a fantastic option if the waterfall is the main event.
The Falling Water River drops nearly 250 feet through a series of waterfalls, with the final drop plunging more than 130 feet into the gorge.
**For the nitty-gritty details that can change over time, Burgess Falls State Park has the most up-to-date park information.**
It’s also conveniently located near Cookeville, making it an easy addition to a Middle Tennessee elopement itinerary or a multi-day Tennessee adventure.
This is a great choice for couples who want waterfall wedding photos without necessarily spending all day hiking through the mountains.
Cedars of Lebanon
Best for: quiet woodland elopements and couples who want something less crowded
Not every elopement needs a giant waterfall.
Cedars of Lebanon has a completely different personality, with its cedar forests and peaceful surroundings making it a beautiful choice for couples who want a more intimate, woodland feel.
And if you’re searching for a Tennessee state park wedding venue, this one has established event and group facilities as well.
But personally? I’d love to take advantage of the scenery and create something that feels much more like your day than a traditional wedding squeezed into a park.
If a Cedars of Lebanon wedding is calling your name, my guide is packed with lots of tips for planning your day.
**And before you make plans, take a look at Cedars of Lebanon State Park for current information about facilities, regulations and events.**
Cumberland Mountain State Park
Best for: lakeside scenery, forests, and a more relaxed elopement experience
Cumberland Mountain is a great choice if you want your elopement to feel outdoorsy without making hiking the entire point of the day.
The lake, forest, bridges, trails and mountain scenery give us plenty of variety for photos and exploration.
**For current park information, facilities and anything else that might have changed since this post was written, Cumberland Mountain State Park is your best bet.**
It’s also one of the Tennessee state parks with established event facilities, so it can work for everything from a small gathering to a more traditional wedding.
For an elopement though, I’d lean into the outdoors.
Savage Gulf State Park
Best for: dramatic overlooks, cliffs, and couples who want to feel completely immersed in nature
If your dream wedding day is less venue and more let’s disappear into the woods for the day, Savage Gulf belongs on your list.
The dramatic terrain of the Cumberland Plateau makes this an especially good option for couples who want their photos to have that wild, remote feeling.
**Since trail conditions and access can change, be sure to check Savage Gulf State Park before heading out.**
This is the kind of location where the scenery becomes part of the experience instead of simply serving as a backdrop for the ceremony.
Roan Mountain State Park
Best for: mountain scenery, forests and a much more Appalachian feel
If mountains are non-negotiable, put Roan Mountain on your list.
The park offers a completely different landscape from Middle Tennessee’s waterfalls and river gorges, with forested mountain scenery and access to the larger Roan Mountain area.
It’s especially beautiful for couples who want their elopement to feel like a mountain getaway rather than a ceremony at a pretty location.
And yes, Roan Mountain also has established wedding and event facilities if you’re bringing a few more people along.
**Severe weather impacted this location in 2024. For current conditions, park information and seasonal details, Roan Mountain State Park is worth bookmarking while you plan.**
Dunbar Cave State Park
Best for: couples who want something unique and don’t necessarily want a mountain hike
Dunbar Cave is a fun option for couples who want their Tennessee elopement to feel a little different.
Located near Clarksville, it’s an easy option to consider if you’re coming from western or middle Tennessee and want something beyond the usual waterfall locations.
The cave itself gives the area a completely different personality, whole the surrounding park offers opportunities for outdoor portraits and exploring together.
If you’re looking for a location that isn’t going to look like every other Tennessee elopement you’ve seen on Pinterest, this one deserves a look.
**And for the official scoop on what’s currently available at the park, check out Dunbar Cave State Park.**
Long Hunter State Park
Best for: Lakeside scenery and couples who want something close to Nashville
If you want to stay closer to Nashville, don’t overlook Long Hunter.
The park stretches along Percy Priest Lake and offers a combination of water, woods and trails that can work beautifully for a laid-back outdoor elopement.
**If you’re considering it, Long Hunter State Park is the place to check current park information before you finalize your plans.**
It’s a particularly good option if you’re planning to spend part of your wedding weekend in Nashville, but still want to get outside for your actual wedding day.
So, What Would Your Day Actually Look Like?
You don’t have to know yet. You don’t even need to have the location picked out, a timeline figured out, or even a solid plan beyond “we want to get married somewhere beautiful.”
You bring the person you’re marrying and a general idea of what sounds like a good tine. I’ll help you figure out the location, logistics, timeline, and how to turn everything into an actual wedding day.
So, Which Tennessee State Park Is Right for You?
Still not sure where to start?
Think about what you actually want to do on your wedding day:
- Want waterfalls? Start with Fall Creek Falls, Foster Falls, Burgess Falls or Rock Island.
- Want mountains? Look at Roan Mountain, Savage Gulf or Fall Creek Falls.
- Want a quieter forest setting? Cedars of Lebanon or Cumberland Mountain might be a better fit.
- Want to stay close to Nashville? Look at Long Hunter or Cedars of Lebanon.
- Want something unique? Dunbar Cave or Rock Island couple be right up your alley.
And if you’re bringing family or a few friends, we’ll want to consider accessibility, hiking distance, parking, ceremony logistics, and where everyone will spend their time during the day.
That’s where having an elopement photographer who actually helps you plan the day becomes really useful.
Tennessee State Park Wedding or Elopement?
If you’ve been searching for Tennessee state park wedding venues, you may be wondering whether an elopement is really what you’re looking for.
Here’s my very unofficial test:
If you want a ceremony, reception, catering, DJ, and 100 of your closest acquaintances…you’re probably planning a wedding.
If you want to exchange vows somewhere beautiful, hike, explore, eat something delicious, have a gallery full of unposed photos of you spending the day actually experiencing the places you’re getting married…
You might be an eloper.
And there’s no rule saying an elopement has to mean just the two of you. You can absolutely bring your parents, siblings, best friends, or whoever makes your day feel more like you.
I’m also really good at splitting coverage up when you want some private time together and want to include the people you love. You don’t have to choose between an intimate experience and having your favorite people there.
Planning Your Tennessee State Park Elopement
Before choosing a park and setting a date, you’ll want to check the current rules for the specific location you’re considering.
Tennessee State Parks has different facilities and event options from park to park, and some ceremonies or events outside normal designated areas may require a special-use permit.
That’s one of the reasons I don’t believe in handing every couple the same generic list of “best wedding venues” and calling it planning.
Your location should fit your day.
Do you want a waterfall?
Do you want to bring your parents?
Do you want complete privacy?
Do you want to spend sunrise together somewhere amazing and then go get tacos?
Tell me what sounds like YOU and we can build the day around that.
What I Help With
Planning a Tennessee state pak elopement sounds pretty simple. Pick a park, put on the outfits, get married. Easy, right?
Until you start wondering which trail actually makes sense, whether you need a permit, where the sun will be, how much hiking you’re signing up for and how you’re supposed to fit all of it into one day without spending the entire time staring at Google Maps.
This is where I come in.
Here’s some of what I help you with, besides helping you feel comfortable in front of the camera:
- Location recommendations based on your vibe, hiking ability, and vision for the day
- Permit research and support so you’re not trying to decipher park regulations at midnight
- Timeline planning to make the most of good light, cooler temps and hopefully a little privacy
- Packing and gear advice so you know what actually needs to come with you
- Sustainable travel and Leave No Trace tips because we want to enjoy these places without ruining them for other generations
- Personalized ceremony options and yes, I can also officiate!
And yes, I’ll hike with you. I’ll help you figure out where the hell we’re going. I’ll probably make bad jokes. And there’s a decent chance I’ll cry behind the camera when you read your vows.
Tennessee Elopement Photographer
If you’re looking for a Tennessee elopement photographer who will do more than show up with a camera, here I am!
Your wedding day shouldn’t feel like a two-hour photo session with a ceremony squeezed somewhere in the middle
I’ll help you find the right location, build a timeline that actually gives you time to enjoy it, and figure out how to turn your Tennessee elopement into an experience you’ll still be talking about years from now.
Because you don’t need a traditional wedding just because that’s what everyone else is doing. You just need a place you love, your person, and a wedding day that feels like a representation of who the two of you are together.
