SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE

Mountains, virgin forests, ancient rivers, majestic waterfalls, and deep gorges filled with abundant wildlife are just a few of the breathtaking highlights you’ll find throughout Middle Tennessee. From a vast state park system to arboretums, gardens, and nature centers, the entire state is a nature lover’s delight. Not far from home, the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompass about 850,000 acres along Tennessee’s eastern border. Mountain peaks tower more than 6,000 feet in elevation and 800 miles of hiking trails meander through the deep forests.

Middle Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Park System
Information 888-TN PARKS
Reservations 866-836-6757
https://www.tnstateparks.com/

Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Lebanon 615-443-2769
Dense cedar forest stretching over 900 acres joins an additional 8,100 acres of natural area and state forestland.

Edgar Evins State Park
Silver Point 800-250-8619
Enjoy more than 6,000 scenic acres near the shores of Center Hill Reservoir.

Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
Eva 731-584-6356
As historic as it beautiful, the park was named for a Confederate cavalry leader.

Henry Horton State Park
Chapel Hill 800-250-8612
Situated near Duck River, this expansive park covers 1,140 acres.

Natchez Trace Resort State Park

Wildersville 731-968-3742
Resort Inn 731-968-8176
Mile of trails join woodlands, lakes, beach, resort inn, cabins, and camping sites.

Paris Landing State Park
Buchanan 731-641-4465
Resort Inn 731-642-4311
Covering more than 840 acres, the park is situated on the shore of Kentucky Lake.

Pickwick Landing State Park

Pickwick Dam 731-689-3129
Resort Inn 731-689-3135
Excellent accommodations, fishing, golf, and marina make this one of the most popular parks in the state system.

Burgess Falls State Natural Area

Sparta 931-432-5312
Situated near the Cumberland Plateau, the park is home to sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, rolling water, mixed forest, Falling Water River, and cascading waterfalls.

Bledsoe Creek State Park
Gallatin 615-452-3706
Old Hickory Lake or Bledsoe Creek offer scenic beauty for forest hiking.

Long Hunter State Park

Hermitage 615-885-2422
J. Percy Priest Lake adds opportunities for fishing and water sports to picnicking, hiking, backpacking, and nature study.

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
1160 Otter Creek Road
Nashville 615-373-3467
Beautiful hills, 85-acre lake, streams, and placid sloughs form a wildlife habitat.

Harpeth Scenic River
& Narrows Historic Area
Kingston Springs 615-797-9051
Multi-faceted attraction includes canoe access, 5-mile float, and historic sites.

Montgomery Bell State Park
Burns 615-797-9052
Resort Inn 615-797-3101
More than 3,780 acres preserve remains of the lucrative iron ore “treasure” once mined at this site.

Dunbar Cave State Park
Clarksville 931-648-5526
Natural area honeycombed by caves and sinkholes covers 110 acres.

Port Royal State Park
Adams 800-250-8614
Quiet beauty prevails in this site marking an early trading center.

Bicenntennial Mall State Park
Nashville 615-741-5280
Nestled in the shadow of the State Capitol in Nashville, the 19-acre park presents a taste of the state’s history.

Cumberland Trail Conference
Crossville 931-456-6259
https://www.cumberlandtrail.org/
Enhancing the state’s network of greenways and trails is the expanding Cumberland Trail across Tennessee.


City/County Park Contacts

Nashville and Davidson County alone preserve more than 10,000 acres of land for recreation and outdoor enjoyment. Metro Parks also offers many outstanding programs and activities from softball and soccer to art and dance as well as facilities that include swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf courses. For more information on parks in your community, contact:

Nashville Metro Parks
615-862-8400
https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation
Ashland 615-792-2655
Brentwood 615-371-0080
Dickson 615-446-1721
Fairview 615-799-2484
Franklin 615-794-2103
Gallatin 615-451-5911
Goodlettsville 615-851-2203
Hendersonville 615-822-3898
La Vergne 615-793-3224
Murfreesboro 615-890-5333
Nolensville 615-790-5719
Portland 615-325-6464
Smyrna 615-459-9710
Spring Hill 931-486-2252
Springfield 615-382-1655
Williamson County 615-790-5719

H. Leroy Pope Park
1643 Westover Rd
Jackson 731-988-3850

Points of Interest

Boiling Fork Park
Cowan City 931-962-4720

Centennial Park
22 25th Avenue North
Nashville 615-862-8442
https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation

Cheekwood Botanical Garden
1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville 615-356-8000
https://cheekwood.org/

Chigger Ridge Natural Area
2777 Forestry Rd.
Jackson 731-988-3850

Fred Young Jr. Park
3265 Highway 45 South
Jackson 731-988-3850

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville 615-889-1000
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/overview/

Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina
2901 Bell Road
Nashville 615-862-8472
https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation

The Nature Center
7311 Highway 100
Nashville 615-352-6299
https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation

Two Rivers Mansion
3130 McGavock Pike
Nashville 615-885-1112
https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation

The Warner Parks
50 Vaughn Road
2500 Old Hickory Boulevard
Nashville 615-370-8051
https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation

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