State Park · Tennessee

Fort Pillow State Park

Location: Lauderdale County, Tennessee
Nearest town: 12.1 miles northwest of Covington
Type: State Park

About Fort Pillow State Park

The Chickasaw Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River form the setting for this 1,642 acre park, which preserves the earthworks built by Confederate forces in 1861 and named for General Gideon Johnson Pillow. Union troops held the fort for most of the Civil War until it was retaken by Confederate cavalry under Nathan Bedford Forrest, an assault that ended in the killing of African-American soldiers and white officers who were attempting to surrender. The grounds retain both the historic fortifications and archaeological evidence of that battle.

Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.

Getting there

Fort Pillow State Park is in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, 12.1 miles northwest of Covington. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.

State parks near Fort Pillow State Park

Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 53 in Tennessee →

Towns near Fort Pillow State Park

State parks near Blytheville, State parks near Cordova, State parks near Dyersburg, State parks near New South Memphis, State parks near Kennett, State parks near Paragould

Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.