Sustainable Travel in Tennessee: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Destinations

Tennessee offers unsurpassed natural beauty, cherished culture and hospitable cities and towns. In order to preserve this way of life, Tennessee makes sustainability a priority. Sustainable travel in Tennessee looks like hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses reduce their environmental impact through energy and water conservation, recycling, food waste reduction, green purchasing and green cleaning.

Statewide sustainable tourism practices include the Tennessee Green Hospitality Program which began in the Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association, and now available statewide for hospitality entities through the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. The program helps lodging, restaurants and attractions improve their environmental footprint and reducing operating costs. It’s a great way for Tennessee destinations to practice responsible tourism.

When you stay at 1Hotel Nashville, you can experience the perfect blend of nature and city living. The hotel is LEED Silver Certified with optimized energy efficient lighting powered by mercury-free LED lighting, high-performance innovation, ENERGY Star certified mechanical equipment, HVAC systems with energy recovery and advanced monitoring.

• Seasonal highlights: Enjoy the Audi Experience where you can take the fully electric Audi e-tron, the Official Electric Vehicle of 1Hotel, out on excursions or on a test drive during your stay. Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Opt for the Give Green, Get Green package where you enjoy up to 40% your stay and a $30 hotel credit. Whatever you don’t spend will be donated to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Finally, 1Hotel offers special events centered around sustainability and wellness such as Friday Fitness classes, vitamin c facials, seasonally curated suppers and more.
   
• Parking: Valet service is offered hourly and to overnight guests with in-and-out privileges
  0-2 hours: $25
  2-4 hours: $35
  4-6 hours: $45
  Overnight: $67
  There are three complimentary electric vehicle charging stations on-site and two dedicated Tesla chargers.
   
• Address: 710 Demonbreun Street Nashville, TN 37203
   
• Accessibility: Hotel ADA accessibility features include clear walkways, doors and paths with level or ramped access, accessible guest rooms andm eating space with Assistive Listening Devices, accessible restaurants, bars and amenities, accessible seating options throughout the hotel, accessible restrooms with family restrooms, ambulatory and accessible toilet stalls, Braille signage throughout, accessible heights and reach range for accessible accessories, operable devices and uses, and valet parking.
   
• Reservations: You must be 21+ to book a room. Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m.

Inspired by Culinary Director Chris Crary’s Tennessee roots, the menu at 1 Kitchen reflects ingredients sustainably sourced from local farms. You can guarantee a fresh, local, farm-to-table dining experience.

• Seasonal highlights: Locally and regionally sourced ingredients are prominently featured on the menu including the Black Hawk Farms beef tartare, Springer Mountain Farms chicken, and Bucksnort trout. Choose the Tableside Old Fashioned Experience which is a Single Barrel bourbon experience crafted tableside.
   
• Hours:
  Dining Room
  5-9 p.m. – Sunday-Thursday
  7 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Daily Brunch
  10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Saturday and Sunday Vinyl Brunch
  5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
  1 Kitchen Lounge
  11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
  11 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday
   
• Accessibility: 1 Kitchen & Lounge and the bar are ADA accessible with wide passageways, accessible seating and restrooms
   
• Reservations: Book a table directly on 1 Kitchen’s website.

Enjoy the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation by glamping at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. Environmentally friendly travel is easily accessible due to the low environmental impact of Little Arrow’s glamping sites. They use less water and energy and minimize waste than a typical hotel stay. Plus, you get the beauty of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park by day and expansive night skies when the sun goes down.

• Seasonal Highlights: Enjoy a dip in the zero entry pool with grottos, pool cabanas with TVs, splash pad and hot tub. You can also take advantage of the two river access points for swimming and fishing in the river. Shop in the boutique store and help out in the community garden.
   
• Hours of Operation: Check-in time is 4 p.m. EST
   
• Parking Information: No more than one vehicle is permitted per reservation. Please only park in the designated parking areas. Visitors must register their vehicle at the main office and will be given a daily parking pass for a small fee.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: Visitors must obey all resort rules and sign a waiver. To book accommodations, please visit Little Arrow Outdoor Resort’s website. Two night minimum stay is required.
   
• Age/Height Limits: Must be 21+ to rent an accommodation or RV site. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the pool at all times. Must be 18 years of age to drive rented golf carts on the premises.
   
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Accommodations are listed online whether they are pet-friendly. There is an additional fee per night, per pet in accommodations that are pet-friendly. Pets left unattended must be placed in a crate. Pets must be on a leash at all times they are outside. Pick up after your pet - waste bag stations are located across the resort A pet waiver must be signed.
   
• Address: 118 Stables Dr., Townsend, TN 37882

Located in Chattanooga, The Crash Pad is an eco-friendly, LEED-certified glamping spot unlike any other. Offering 24 bunk beds or five private rooms, complimentary DIY breakfast and walking distance to some of the area’s restaurants and bars, this classic, yet charming hostel provides visitors with a blend of reclaimed and renewable resources to ensure the best of energy efficiency while supporting local sustainable businesses.

• Seasonal Highlights: If you’re interested in bouldering in Chattanooga, The Crash Pad offers daily rentals for a simple pad or mondo pad.
   
• Hours of Operation: Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m. IF you’re arriving after 9 p.m. call 423-648-8393 to arrange for self check-in. Early check-ins are not allowed.
   
• Parking Information: Limited parking is available onsite for free. Behind Crash Pad on 14th and Passenger Street.
   
• Accessibility Options/Features: Service animals as defined by the ADA are welcome. If bringing a service animal, it’s requested you stay in a private room. ADA parking is available onsite and wide entryways to the kitchen, laundry and more are provided.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: The 25% deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable. Book your accommodations on The Crash Pad’s website.
   
• Age/Height Limits: Guests 16 and 17 years old may stay unaccompanied but must bring a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Also, Crash Pad staff must have spoken or emailed directly with the parent or guardian prior to the guest's arrival. A parent or legal guardian must accompany and stay at the hostel with guests under 16. You must be over 4 feet tall and weigh 80 pounds to stay in a top bunk.
   
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Pets are allowed on the hostel grounds and The Hemingway Suite. They are not permitted inside the hostel. Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.
   
• Address: 29 Johnson St., Chattanooga, TN 37408

Known for its four-star, four-diamond service, the Hutton Hotel goes above and beyond to provide its guests with an eco-friendly stay. From the time guests arrive, they are greeted by bamboo floors and furniture made from reclaimed wood. The rooms are equipped with automatic, motion detection lights, and to cut back on the use of plastic guests can find soap, shampoo and conditioner all in dispensers. To reduce the use of carbon-emissions and air pollution, the hotel is within walking distance to several popular attractions, restaurants and bars.

• Seasonal Highlights: Enjoy live music in the state-of-the-art Analog music venue inside the Hutton Hotel. Once inspired, write your own hit in the Writers’ Studio that has professional-grade gear. Have a moment of calm at The Spa at Hutton Hotel in the cold plunge and salt room. Body treatments, facials and massages as well as hair and nail services are also available to book.
   
• Hours of Operation: Check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 11 a.m.
   
• Parking Information: You may self-park or valet.
  Self-parking
  $14 – 0-2 hours
  $24 – 2-8 hours
  $50 – overnight
  
  Valet
  $15 – 0-8 hours
  $55 – overnight
   
• Accessibility Options/Features: There is sufficient width for an individual with a wheelchair to embark and disembark from a ramp. Accessible vehicles can be accommodated. Guide dogs and service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted. Accessible routes are located throughout the hotel to the bars, restaurants, Analog music venue, lobby and reception, meeting rooms and the fitness center and spa. There are 12 ADA rooms available – 6 ADA King rooms and 5 ADA Double Queen rooms. One bed in the Penthouse West is accessible. View the Hutton Hotel’s full list of accessible features.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: Book your accommodations directly online or call 615-340-9333.
   
• Age/Height Limits: Guests must be at least 21 years of age to book a reservation and check-in.
• Pet-Friendly Policies: There are pet-friendly floors at Hutton Hotel. There is a one-time $100 cleaning fee. Arrangements must be made in advance of your stay.
• Address: 1808 West End Ave. Nashville, TN 37203

The David Crockett State Park cabins are the perfect, family weekend getaway. Equipped with geothermal-powered HVAC units and gas fireplaces, these LEED-certified vacation homes are ahead of the curve on energy conservation. The state park also has the Tennessee Naturalist Program which serves as an educational training program to provide service and outreach efforts to help preserve Tennessee’s natural beauty and resources.

• Seasonal Highlights: Find the secret waterfall, accessed only by boat on Lake Lindsey. It’s a beautiful site, especially with fewer visitors during the early morning.
   
• Hours of Operation: The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset CST. The park office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
   
• Parking Information: Parking is located at Crockett Museum, Crockett Falls trailhead, and other trailheads throughout the park. Review the state park map before visiting to familiarize yourself with the area.
   
• Accessibility Options/Features: All-terrain wheelchairs are able to navigate a wide range of terrains and are available to reserve and use during your stay. An accessible kayak and canoe launch is located on Lake Lindsey between the boat dock and Cabin 1. The museum, aviary and amphitheater are wheelchair accessible. Cabin 7 is wheelchair accessible.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: Reserve your cabin through the Tennessee State Parks accommodation portal. Cabin reservations require a 2-night minimum. There is a required deposit and a $5.00 non-refundable reservation fee. Fees are subject to state and local taxes, and are subject to change.
   
• Age Limits: Individuals must be 18 years of age or older to rent overnight accommodations. A parent or an adult must accompany children or individuals under the age of 18 years.
   
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Pet-friendly accommodations are available. Pets are strictly prohibited inside cabins unless they are specifically designated as a pet-friendly cabin and all additional pet charges are paid. Due to allergy issues, pets may not be kept on porches or decks of non-pet cabins. If pets are kept at non-pet cabins, a minimum penalty of $100.00 plus all applicable nightly pet fees will be assessed. Additional charges for damages caused by pets may also be assessed at the discretion of management.
   
• Address: 400 West Gaines Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Sustainability is naturally integrated into everything Blackberry Farm does as the property seeks to steward their farm with eco-friendly agricultural practices. The Farm has created a self-supporting system, following Appalachian farming traditions. It’s a true farm-to-table experience, especially at The Barn. The James Beard Award-winning restaurant is a multi-course dining experience that showcases Appalachian ingredients and farm products harvested on the farm.

• Seasonal Highlights: Curated, guided experiences are offered for each season, the timeliness perfectly aligned to celebrate the best of each. Take a farmstead tour to get a closer look at sustainability practices. During the summer, you can lounge enjoy wine and spirits tastings, go horseback riding and fly fishing.2
   
• Hours of Operation: Check-in is 4 p.m. Check out is noon.
   
• Parking Information: Valet parking is available onsite.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: A three-night minimum is required for all stays unless otherwise noted. A two-night deposit is charged at the time of reservation. All event activity fees are charged at the time of confirmation. Make reservations directly on Blackberry Farm’s site.
   
• Age Limits: Children of any age are welcome at Blackberry Farm. The Barn, Blackberry Farm’s fine dining restaurant, is available to diners 10 years and older. The Dogwood is great for families with children of all ages with reservations between 5:30-6 p.m. in a more family-friendly atmosphere. Children younger than 4 years old stay in their parents’ room free of charge. Charges for children 4 years and older are $250 per child, per night that cover meals, pantry snacks and beverages. Camp Blackberry is offered for campers 10 years and older. Private babysitting (two-hour minimum) services with advanced booking is required.
   
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Blackberry Farm is pet friendly and a one-time companion fee of $250 will be billed upon departure. All pets must be on a leash and are not allowed in common areas or restaurants. Pets must remain crated in your room while you are out on an activity, dining or in other non pet-friendly areas.
   
• Address: 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886

Have a luxury mountain stay near Chattanooga at Bolt Farm Treehouse. The property is immersed in nature and activity saves and replenishes every tree impacted by the accommodations. They partner with One Tree Planted which donates one tree per guest booking to be planted as part of the organization’s worldwide reforestation efforts.

• Seasonal Highlights: Take advantage of the summer single-night stay specials. Enjoy special events like Candlelight Songs & Stories, an evening with Seth Bolt, former member of NEEDTOBREATHE, marriage retreats, and signature couples experience that includes two personalized massages, body treatments and relaxing face massages. Enjoy Wellness Haven’s eucalyptus steam room, gold plunge and reflection pool with panoramic mountain views.
   
• Hours of Operation: Check in is 3 p.m. and check out is 10 a.m.
   
• Parking Information: Free private parking is available for guests onsite. EV charging is available onsite
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: Two night minimum for weekday arrivals and three night minimum for weekend arrivals.
   
• Age/Height Limits: Strictly 21+
   
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Bolt Farm Treehouse is not pet friendly.
   
• Address: Located in Whitwell, Tennessee near Chattanooga

Southall Farm & Inn was started with conservation and eco-friendly practices in mind. They follow sustainability best practices focused on water and soil conservation, favor heirloom and southern varieties of vegetables, encourage seed saving and have become a source of inspiration for visitors with architectural details showcasing renewable natural materials like stone and wood, green technology so that every room can be controlled remotely from lights to the shades and thermostat. Glass water bottles, disposable materials and food waste are all compostable as well.

• Seasonal Highlights: Have an adults-only summer camp experience with summer activities like axe throwing, jumping into the pool, canoeing on Lake Mishkin, touring the gardens, sampling artisanal honey and ending your day with live music performances.
   
• Hours of Operation: Check-in is after 4 p.m. and check-out is before 11 a.m.
  Sojourner
  7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast
  Noon to 4 p.m. Lunch
  5-10 p.m. Dinner
  Final reservations at 8:30 p.m.
  
  January
  5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
  Final reservations at 8:30 p.m.
  In-room dining: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
  
  Spa
  8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily
  Final appointments begin at 6 p.m.
   
• Parking Information: Valet is available for all property guests
   
• Accessibility Options/Features: For accessibility features on property, please call 615-282-2000.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: Make accommodation reservations directly on the website. A credit card is required to guarantee the reservation. A 1-night deposit is due at the time of booking. Accommodations are refundable up to 14 days prior to arrival.
   
• Age Limits: Southall Farm & Inn welcome couples and families with family-friendly events hosted throughout the year.
   
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Dogs are welcome for Inn guests staying in pet-friendly accommodations. A $250 pet fee applies with a limit of one dog per room. Dogs must remain leashed and with their owner at all times and are not permitted in dining areas.
   
• Address: 2200 Osage Loop Franklin, Tennessee 37064

Mulberry Lavender Farm was once the farm of Jack Daniel’s brother Wiley, who sipped his favorite beverage on the historic 1865 farmhouse porch with Jack, Lem and Uncle Nearest. The property is tucked away in the hills of Tennessee, full of farm animals like Navajo Churro sheep, Scottish Highland cows, and mules, and stunning rural views. The farm store is supplied with local honey, lavender hydrosol, elderberry syrup and various tinctures.

• Seasonal Highlights: Enjoy peaceful farm life by enjoying a walk around the farm, play board games, read books and learn about the history of the area.
   
• Hours of Operation: Check-in is 4 p.m. Check out is 11 a.m. Please text the number provided in your confirmation email with your estimated time of arrival so the owners can be sure to welcome you and check you in.
   
• Parking Information: Free parking for guests available onsite. EV charging stations are available onsite as well.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: Book directly on the website.
   
• Address: 9 Back St. Mulberry, Tennessee 37359

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most biodiverse park in the National Park system. It’s home to over 19,000 documented species and it’s believed by scientists that 80,000-100,000 species may live here. Help the park protect this fragile ecosystem by following the 7 Leave No Trace principles to minimize your environmental impact when visiting.

• Seasonal Highlights: Each season offers something new to experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the summer, enjoy dense greenery of the forest, synchronous fireflies and sparkling night skies. Bear activity is especially high May-August. Be safe and review the Black Bear Safety Tips before experiencing outdoor activity.
   
• Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours daily, weather permitting. Secondary roads are closed seasonally. Check the park’s alerts for up-to-date information on conditions.
   
• Parking Information: Parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
  Daily - $5
  Weekly - $15
  Annual - $40
   
• Accessibility Options/Features: GRIT Freedom Chairs are complimentary and offered on a first-come, first-served basis at Sugarlands Visitor Center from November to April or by reservation May-October, made 3-30 business days in advance. The Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is ADA accessible as a paved, half-mile loop. Check out Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s accessibility trails, programming and more.
   
• Pet-Friendly Policies: Dogs are only allowed in frontcountry campgrounds, picnic areas, along roadways and on the Gatlinburg Trail. Dogs classified as service animals are individually trained to perform a specific task that assists a person with a disability. Service dogs are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go. Emotional support, therapy, and companion animals, as well as service animals in training, are not service animals and must abide by all pet regulations.
   
• Address: 107 Park Headquarters Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
   
• Nearby Stays: Hotels like Compass by Margaritaville Pigeon Forge and Appalachian Lodge in Gatlinburg give an elevated outdoor experience with all the modern conveniences. If you prefer glamping, check out Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains.

Tennessee’s state parks are some of the best sustainable travel destinations in the state. Many of Tennessee’s state parks have achieved Go Green With Us recognition awards in silver, bronze, gold, platinum and diamond. Twenty-six state parks have achieved platinum status, which means the parks consistently ensure eco-friendly practices like lights on timers and efficient timed irrigation system, LED lights in public buildings and alternate transportation options like bicycle rentals so you can enjoy eco-friendly trips with ease.

Radnor Lake State Park is an idyllic natural haven within a short drive of downtown Nashville. The park has a Diamond Recognition Award through the Tennessee Go Green with Us Program. Radnor Lake has energy efficient LED lights at the Aviary Center and visitor center, improved water heaters, spray foam installation, and upgraded Energy Star windows in the Hideaway house. EV charging stations \ are currently being upgraded. The park has controlled burns, native grasses and vegetation, mulching or graveling trails to prevent erosion and recycled and repurposed building materials are used throughout the park. More than 154 acres have been converted back to native grasslands to support ground nesting birds and pollinators.

• Seasonal Highlights: Participate in one of the cleanup and recycle programs hosted throughout the year.
   
• Hours of Operation: Sunrise to sunset
   
• Parking Information: Free parking is available at the visitor center and the East Parking area. Check out the map to familiarize yourself with the park before your visit.
   
• Accessibility Options/Features: All-terrain wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A wheelchair friendly ColorBlind Viewfinder is located on the Lake Trail. Otter Creek Road Trail is the only trail where dogs, jogging and bikes are allowed. It’s an easy, wheelchair-friendly trail.
   
• Address: 1160 Otter Creek Rd Nashville, TN 37220
   
• Nearby Stays: The Gilmore, Kimpton Aertson Hotel and the Harmony House are near Radnor Lake State Park.

Tennessee State Parks’ Go Green with Us program is a partnership between state parks’ staff and visitors to become better stewards of Tennessee’s outdoors. Sustainability is practiced like energy efficiency, habitat and resource protection and recycling initiatives. In addition, Rivian, an electric vehicle automaker and automotive technology company, partners with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. There are Rivian Waypoint EV charging stations at Tennessee State Parks. Level 2 chargers are available and are compatible with all EV models currently on the road. The open-network chargers can provide up to 11.5 kilowatts of power which can give you a top up on miles as you enjoy a day trip or overnight camping trip in one of Tennessee's state parks.

Known for their ever-changing menu of fresh ingredients all from the south, Husk takes Southern cuisine to the next level. This farm-to-table approach provides a menu full of seasonal food and drinks all while saving the environment and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

• Seasonal Highlights: Husk Nashville offers refreshing spritzes, seasonal drinks and bites for the summer to celebrate patio season each year.
   
• Hours of Operation:
  5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
  5-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday
  10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Saturday and Sunday Brunch
   
• Parking Information: Self-parking is available in the lots to the right and left of the restaurant. Paid parking is available in the lot across from the restaurant and street parking is available. It’s recommended to utilize rideshare services.
   
• Ticketing/Booking & Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended via Resy.
   
• Age/Height Limits: Husk Nashville is not considered kid-friendly for the quiet and refined atmosphere and elevated menu. Older children (13+) may enjoy the restaurant.
   
• Address: 37 Rutledge St., Nashville, TN 37210
   
• Nearby Stays: Nearby hotels include The Joseph, Body Nashville and The Printing House Hotel.

If you’re looking to minimize your environmental footprint, here are some sustainable travel tips for your upcoming eco-friendly travel to Tennessee.

Practice Leave No Trace principles:

• Plan ahead and prepare – Know the regulations for the area you’re visiting. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies. Schedule your trip for low-visitation hours.
   
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces like maintained trails and designated campsites, rock, gravel, sand, dry grass or snow.
   
• Dispose of waste properly – pack it in, pack it out
   
• Leave what you find – examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structs and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and natural objects as you find them.
   
• Minimize campfire impacts – use established fire rings, pans or mound fires where fires are allowed
   
• Respect wildlife – observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
   
• Be considerate of other visitors – Yield to other users on the trail. Camp away from trails and other visitors. Avoid loud voices and noises.

Pack reuseable gear for all your outdoor adventures such as reuseable water bottles or bladders, bamboo cutlery sets and metal straws.
 

Support local, Green-certified businesses. Verify information with specific restaurants, lodging and attractions before visiting.
 

Utilize low-impact transportation options like rideshare services, electric vehicles, city buses, trolleys and hop-on-hop-off transportation.