Explore an Outdoor Reading Adventure

We partner with Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, city parks and outdoor areas to create enriching outdoor reading experiences for children and families to connect literacy with a fun, physical activity. This program presents a children’s storybook on child-height panels along a short trail to promote adult-child interaction around books and nature. Each panel features a reading tip to encourage family engagement by bringing the book to life for children. 

The Beginning

In July 2018, Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation partnered with the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy to launch the Storybook Trail program. The first Storybook Trail at a Tennessee State Park was developed and executed at Long Hunter State Park, with the debut of the “Reading Ranger Trail” in 2016. With that inspiration, Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation has been able to expand the program across the state, in partnership with parks at all levels.

Storybook Trails Across Tennessee

The Storybook Trail program now includes 51 trails in Tennessee, including locations at 24 Tennessee State Parks. We’re always expanding the program to serve more Tennessee families at outdoor spaces across the state.

Please zoom in on the map to view the locations of all trails.

Montgomery Bell State Park

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Bledsoe Creek State Park

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

Centerville RiverPark

Harpeth River State Park

Long Hunter State Park

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park

Henry Horton State Park

Edgar Evins State Park

Cove Lake State Park

Norris Dam State Park

Frozen Head State Park

Cumberland Mountain State Park

South Cumberland State Park

Athens Regional Park

Hiwassee Ocoee State Park

David Crockett Birthplace State Park

John Barnes Park

Heritage Park

Donaldson Park

Fred Deadman Park

Civic Park

Fayetteville-Lincoln County Public Library

Luttrell City Park

Eiffel Tower Park

White House Municipal Park

Maury County Park

RichEllen Park

Weakley Park

Pickwick State Park

T.O. Fuller State Park

Reelfoot Lake State Park

Cummins Falls State Park

Tims Ford SP

Big Cypress Creek SP

Booker T. Washington SP

ETSU

FKPL Collier Preserve Park

FKPL Ijams Nature Center

FKPL West View Park

Loudon Co Library Board

Millard Oakley PL

Nathan Bedford Forrest SP

Oak Ridge

Putnam Co Library

Unicoi Co PL

Lakewood Schools PTO

TN 4-H Center

Colinwood