8 Must-See Historic Forts In Tennessee

Tennessee’s vast grasslands, forests, cityscapes, and riverside environments are dotted with historic forts that tell the story of early frontier life in America, westward expansion, and the various conflicts throughout the history of the continent. The sites we will be talking about here, now preserved and open to the public, provide insight into what exactly shaped this southern state’s past.

From reconstructed colonial outposts to preserved Civil War earthworks, each fort offers a unique perspective, and visiting them will hopefully connect you to a piece of what made the United States the country it is today.

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

Constructed by the British in 1756 during the French and Indian War (also known as the "Seven Years War"), Fort Loudoun was one of the earliest British outposts on the western frontier. Its strategic purpose was mainly to secure alliances with the native Cherokee and protect important trade routes in the region. However, tensions between the settlers and Cherokee led to the fort’s eventual siege, surrender, and burning in 1760, making it a highly interesting site in America's early colonial history.

Less than an hour north of Knoxville, you can now experience a full-scale reconstruction of the fort, complete with barracks, guardhouses, and blockhouses built to resemble the original 18th-century structures. The park also features a museum with artifacts recovered from the site.

With walking trails overlooking Tellico Lake and regular living history events, Fort Loudoun is a great spot to spend some time outdoors and learn a thing or two about Tennessee's earliest days along the way.

Fort Negley

Built in 1862 after Union forces captured Nashville, Fort Negley was the largest inland stone fortification constructed during the Civil War. Its elevated position gave the Union Army a stronghold over the city, serving as both a defensive structure and a strong symbol of Union occupation at the time.

What also sets Fort Negley apart is the role thousands of formerly enslaved African Americans and free Black laborers who built it under harsh conditions played, a story now central to its appeal as an educational destination. Today, the remains of the star-shaped fort are situated within a public park, where you'll be able to walk the grounds and learn about its construction, strategic importance, and the human cost tied to its history.

An on-site visitor center also boasts exhibits about the budding city of Nashville during the Civil War, as well as the experiences of the laborers whose contributions were long overlooked.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Located in the city of Dover, Fort Donelson was the site of a pivotal Union victory during the Civil War in February 1862. Its fall marked the first major Confederate surrender, opening the Cumberland River as a pathway for Union advances into the South. The victory also elevated Ulysses S. Grant’s reputation significantly, earning him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.

This battlefield is now preserved as a national park, where you can check out the fort's well-preserved earthworks, original cannons, and the nearby historic Dover Hotel, where the surrender officially took place. Moving on, the visitor center houses many detailed exhibits on the fort’s overall military history and the broader campaign for control of Tennessee. Furthermore, a collection of scenic overlooks along the Cumberland River highlights the strategic value of this destination, as well as simply giving you great views of the waterway.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Although best known for its large Civil War battlefields, this park also preserves several historic fortifications, including remnants tied to Union defenses around Chattanooga. Located on the border of Georgia and Tennessee, and established in 1890, this is also the first park of its kind in the United States.

After fierce fighting in 1863, Union forces fortified key ridges and river crossings to secure the city, which became a vital supply hub for campaigns deeper into the South.

Today, tours are open in this vast park's reconstructed artillery positions and various interpretive sites that showcase how Chattanooga was transformed into a fortress city. The park includes extensive exhibits at the visitor center, highlighting the battles and fortifications that shaped the outcome of the war in Tennessee.

Walking and driving tours guide guests across landscapes where the fortifications once stood, offering both a learning experience and striking views of the surrounding terrain. By exploring these historic grounds, you'll hopefully gain insight into the victorious Union’s military strategy and the ultimate role Chattanooga played as the “Gateway to the Deep South” during the war.

Fort Southwest Point

Situated in Kingston, Fort Southwest Point was established in 1797 as a federal outpost near the edge of the frontier. It acted as a military and administrative center during the nation’s westward expansion, functioning both as a supply base and a point of negotiation with Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee.

Overlooking the confluence of the Tennessee and Clinch Rivers, Fort Southwest Point provides a clear window into the challenges of early frontier defense, as well as being an idyllic natural area in its own right. This old fort marked the edge of American settlement at the time and played a significant role in enforcing treaties and maintaining order in the region.

It now stands as the only federally built fort from that period fully reconstructed on its original foundations. While here, be sure to stroll through the barracks, blockhouses, and palisade walls that bring the early frontier era to life. On the other hand, the on-site museum displays artifacts unearthed during archaeological digs, connecting the reconstructed site to its authentic past even further.

Fort Pillow State Historic Park

Built by Confederate forces in 1861, Fort Pillow guarded a bluff above the Mississippi River about 40 miles north of Memphis. This stronghold changed hands during the Civil War and became infamous for the 1864 battle in which Confederate troops under General Nathan Bedford Forrest overran the Union garrison. The event is remembered for the high number of Union casualties, particularly among African American soldiers, sparking national outrage and shaping wartime policy on prisoner treatment.

The state park that calls these tragic grounds home today preserves the original earthworks, giving you a clear sense of the fort’s clever defensive design. A well-curated museum further covers both the military action and the broader historical context of the fort throughout its entire service. Moreover, maintained footpaths through the park lead to a handful of nice viewpoints along the river for you to enjoy on a nice day.

Fort Granger

Established by Union forces in 1863, Fort Granger was built to defend the railroad and river routes through Franklin. Positioned on a hill overlooking the Harpeth River, the fort offered a commanding view of the town and surrounding countryside, making it one of several vital defensive structures during the Union occupation. Furthermore, it played a supporting role in the 1864 Battle of Franklin, where Union artillery fired from its earthworks onto advancing Confederate troops.

Now, modern visitors can take a walk along preserved sections of the fort’s trenches and earthworks, which remain visible more than 150 years later. Informational panels on-site explain the fort’s role in Franklin’s overall Civil War history, while trails connect the fort to other must-visit local landmarks like the nearby historic district downtown.

Fort Dickerson

Yet another spot constructed in 1863, Fort Dickerson was part of a ring of Union defenses surrounding Knoxville during the Civil War. Built on a high ridge south of the Tennessee River, it was designed to protect the city from Confederate attack.

The fort’s most notable moment came during the 1863 Knoxville Campaign, when it played a crucial role in safeguarding Union positions during General James Longstreet’s unsuccessful siege. Unlike many forts of its era, Fort Dickerson’s earthworks are still standing, allowing you to clearly see its original defensive layout.

Today, the site is part of a sizable city park, where walking trails and info signs explain its history, and overlooks give wide-ranging views of downtown Knoxville and the river, along with a large, water-filled quarry in the middle. With that, Fort Dickerson is both a quiet green space within the city and an opportunity to explore a piece of Tennessee’s Civil War heritage that remains largely intact.

See These Historic Landmarks Today

Whether you love military history, want to learn more about how Tennessee was originally shaped, or simply need something out of the house to do on an afternoon, these forts, and the parks they are located in, each offer a fun and educational experience. Located all across the state, they are generally easy to access, and for the most part, are open year-round.