Tennessee State Parks - T.O. Fuller State Park

If you are looking for a great camping and RV destination close to Memphis, TN,T.O. Fuller State Park is a great place to start. This state park was the first one east of the Mississippi River which allowed African Americans to visit and only the second one in the nation to do so. The park was renamed after the onset of World War II from Shelby Bluffs to T.O. Fuller in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller who spent his life educating African Americans.

Location

The park is located a convenient 10 minutes from interstate 55 within the southern limits of Memphis City. The park has a wide variety of terrain, with six miles of challenging trails that range from large hills and ridges to Mississippi River flood plains.

Lodging

There is no lack of shade at the campground in T.O. Fuller state park. With 45 campsites that are RV accessible and some that can accommodate 85 feet of RV space, there is normally room at the site on most non-holiday weekends. Tent camping is also allowed at the camp-site, and the facilities are first-rate with electric and water hookups at all of the RV sites. You do need to register with the visitor center during the week, or on the weekend with the Park Ranger. T.O. Fuller does let you make reservations for camping, but sets an overall limit of two weeks for any camping pass.

One thing of note here from my personal experience, if you are going to go camping at T.O. Fuller in July through mid-September, you have to get a shaded camp site! A must, or you will be getting a hotel room before the weekend is out! Memphis is very hot and humid in this time of year. Sometimes the temps can exceed 115 degrees fare height with the head index! Don't forget to bring plenty of water for your family!

History

In 1940, the Army Corps of Engineers unearthed the remains of a very dated Indian settlement. Today, the Chucalissa Indian Village and other excavations along with a museum are available for touring if you are just interested or otherwise bored on your camping trip.

Park Activities

T.O. Fuller State Park offers a lot of activities for your enjoyment whether one is camping or not. There is a very challenging 18 hole, par-72, 5986-yard golf course that can tame even the best handicap. I recommend the high handicapper make a trip to Wal-Mart on his or her way into the park for 're-load' golf balls before the first time playing the course. Fairly inexpensive, the course presents a very scenic challenge, with small greens, and great views of the surrounding area at fairly decent rates.

Other activities that are available are grassy fields for impromptu games such as Frisbee and other ballgames, a softball field, and tennis and basketball courts. There is also plenty of children's playground equipment near the picnic area as well as a very nice pool.

During the summer months the park has a nature center that is open and T.O. Fuller also puts on various annual and planned events.

Summary

T.O. Fuller is one of the hidden treasures of the Tennessee park system in Southwest Tennessee. Whether you are just looking for a relaxing weekend camping, or a good round of golf you should definitely check it out!