Tennessee's Newest State Park Hides A Massive Cave System Worth Exploring

Visiting North America's national and state parks usually means exploring the landscapes, waterfalls, and trails above ground. But Cardwell Mountain State Archaeological Park in Tennessee is just as beautiful beneath the surface as it is above. Sitting above Cumberland Caverns, one of the largest cave systems in the state, Cardwell is a relative newbie in the park system, and was named Tennessee's 64th state park on May 8, 2026. It's one of only three archaeological parks in the state.

While Tennessee has become a booming tourist destination, visitors will have to wait a little longer before being able to explore its new 534-acre park, as work is still underway to protect the site's archaeological features. A date hasn't yet been set for the park's gates to open, but more than 5,000 years of Tennessee history and some unusual geological formations await for when they do.

The caves themselves are already recognized as a National Natural Landmark, and once construction of the park is finished, visitors will be able to explore a network of trails, visit ancient Native American sites, and learn more about the area's history, archaeology, and geology in the interactive visitor center. "This is an extraordinary location for our newest state park," said Brian Clifford, deputy commissioner for Conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, via WSMV4. "It combines a sense of history with the love of outdoor recreation, and we know Tennesseans will enjoy and appreciate all of what the park offers."

Named after the Cardwell family, who arrived in the region in 1828 and lived on a homestead on the mountain for around 150 years, the park's history goes back much further. Archaeologists have found evidence of Indigenous settlements dating back thousands of years, tracing to the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods, including the remains of a 15-foot, 1,000 year old earthen monument.

The landscape is equally as appealing. Cardwell Mountain sits where the Eastern Highland Rim meets the Cumberland Plateau, thus creating a variety of terrain shaped by deep caverns, tall sandstone formations, and vast limestone peppered plateaus. While we all wait patiently for the park and its trails to open, you could explore Cumberland Caverns instead. Several tours take you on a journey underground to discover a world of stalagmites and stalactites in the 27-mile-long cave system.

Adventures in the Cumberland Caverns start from kid-friendly, short, easy walking tours from $25, to more difficult and exciting caving adventures, such as the Guts and Glory tour at $150. Not for the faint hearted, it involves squeezing your way through a series of tight passageways and climbing up twisting rock faces and the tallest ladder in the whole cave. Cardwell Mountain State Archaeological Park and Cumberland Caverns are located near McMinneville, a delightful Tennessee city with beautiful river views in Warren County. The nearest major city is Nashville, which has an international airport, and is around an 80 mile drive away.

The surrounding area has plenty to explore above ground too. The region has a strong Native American history and is linked to the Trail of Tears. In the 1830s, thousands of Cherokee people and other native tribes were forced from their homelands, traveling along routes through Tennessee, some of which passed by Cardwell Mountain. While the Trail of Tears Memorial Interpretive Center is a good two hours drive away in Pulaski, the immediate area still contains traces of the pathways, and some rather special marker trees. Thought to have been used by Native Americans as a navigational aid, one of the bent oak trees can be seen on the path leading to Cumberland Caverns.

Another important historical link to the land is tied to the Cardwell family themselves. The Cardwells established many orchards on the mountainside, in particular apples. Over time, McMinneville came to be known as the "Nursery Capital of the World." Today, you can visit more than 300 nurseries that grow thousands of varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs. A restored section of the original Cardwell orchard will be available for visitors to see once the park is open.

You'll find more outdoor adventures at one of the other state parks in the area. The nearest is Rock Island State Park, only around 15 minutes away. Three rivers flow into the park, providing the ideal playground for hiking to breathtaking waterfalls, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing.