general information

Address and Phone:
90 Nell Beard Road
New Johnsonville, TN 37134

Phone: (931) 535-2789
Fax: (931) 535-3776

Hours Open to the Public:
Day-Use Area: 8 a.m. - sundown

Johnsonville State Historic Park

www.tn.gov/environment/parks/Johnsonville/

New Johnsonville, TN

This 600-acre park on the eastern side of Kentucky Lake overlooks the site of the Civil War Battle of Johnsonville. The park is named for Military Governor Andrew Johnson of Tennessee.

The Battle of Johnsonville occurred on November 4, 1864, the culmination of Confederate Cavalry Commander Nathan Bedford Forrest’s wide-ranging 23-day raid to destroy the Union supply lines running to Nashville. In the attack on Johnsonville’s Union supply base, Forrest inflicted enormous damage with very little loss. He destroyed four gunboats, 14 transports, 20 barges, 26 artillery pieces and a total of $6.7 million in property. He also disturbed the operations of Union Major General George H. Thomas. Forrest repaired two captured boats to use in the raid on Johnsonville. Four of the original breastworks (rifle pits) are beautifully preserved. Two large forts in the park are open to visitors.

After the Civil War, the railroad bridge across the Tennessee River allowed people to travel by train from Nashville to Memphis for the first time, and Johnsonville flourished until 1944. That year, TVA flooded the area to form Kentucky Lake and electrify the region.

Today, the park attracts not only history buffs, but also hikers and wildlife observers interested in the many rare plant species in the cool ravines of the park. 

Directions: Take I-40 to Exit 143. Take Highway 13 North for 13 miles. Take Highway 70 West to New Johnsonville, then follow the signs to the park.