Where to Gather Around the Campfire in Memphis
Written by: Ariana Geneva
One of the fun facts about Campfire Collective is how we got our name. Head Trailblazer Shannon Briggs is a huge fan of stepping away from the digital world and getting out into nature. Fortunately, Memphis has an abundance of lush and beautiful green spaces! In fact, Memphis is one of the top 50 U.S. cities for green space per capita, according to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, analyzed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
With so many choices, you may find it hard to choose, so we made it a little easier for you to get away from it all. Here are a few of our favorite local places to commune with nature:
Our Neighbors in the North: Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers options for your camping adventures. For overnight stays, choose from six two-bedroom cabins that sleep up to six people, perfect for families or group outings. If you need more personal space with the great outdoors, you’ll find 49 campsites to stretch out and relax.
The park has a nature center, 20 miles of hiking trails, lakes, and waterborne activities like kayaks and paddle boarding, and if you’re into it, two 18-hole disc golf courses. Do not challenge me to a game, unless you’re into winning! I am notoriously terrible at disc golf. The state park has horseback riding trails for all of our equine-loving friends.
I love that Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is home to the Memphis Mushroom Festival! Mushrooms are fascinating and delicious. And this festival is just one more reason Memphis is cooler than anywhere else.
South of The Bluff: T.O. Fuller State Park
Ten miles south of Memphis is T.O. Fuller State Park. Campsites here can accommodate RV camping and the more traditional tent variety. Since we’ve given some history about Campfire Collective, we want to offer a little history about this state park: T.O. Fuller was the first park open to African Americans east of the Mississippi River when it opened, designated as Shelby County Negro State Park in 1938. The name was changed to T.O. Fuller State Park in 1942 in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller. The Chucalissa Indian Village is located here, maintained and operated by the University of Memphis, and can be seen while hiking the 4-mile Discovery Trail.
The park offers a range of options for campers and daily visitors alike from the Interpretive Nature and Education Center, hiking trails like the Discovery Trail, playgrounds, an Olympic-size pool and splash pad perfect for the dog days of Summer, ball fields, and basketball and tennis courts, as well as gathering places and covered spaces for any kind of celebration.
Party at Pickwick: Pickwick Landing State Park
I would be remiss if I left everyone’s beloved summer spot, Pickwick, off this list. Many go for floating on the lake but did you know that Pickwick Landing offers camping? The park has a wide variety of RV and tent camping sites – almost all of them are situated on the lake! Pickwick has something for everyone while you are a guest. I am in need of more friends with boats, so please feel free to invite the Campfire Collective team to Pickwick Landing!
Roadtrip to East of Memphis: Natchez Trace State Park
Natchez Trace has a robust selection of camping options with over 180 campsites. And that doesn’t include the backcountry camping areas that can accommodate groups of up to 35 people each. Talk about the perfect team-building retreat!
Natchez Trace State Park has an abundance of hiking trails, including a 40-mile overnight trail. As cool as I think that is, I do not foresee myself tackling that trail. The park even made it on Southern Living’s 10 Best State Parks for 2023 (Southern Living).
Have you been to any (or all) of these parks and campgrounds? Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and your team is to disconnect from technology and reconnect with what’s right in your backyard! Our team is always ready for a fire pit and s’mores opportunity. Maybe your next team-building event can take place in one of our Tennessee State Parks.
If you would like to know more about all of the amazing outdoor spaces that make up our state parks, head to Tennessee State Parks to find your next adventure.
