The first day of spring has come, and with it for many, the motivation to get outdoors and explore nature has also arrived. Luckily enough, Middle Tennessee is home to many beautiful state parks that provide residents with opportunities for hiking, biking, camping and more.
“From West Tennessee to East Tennessee, there’s a really wide spectrum of outdoor experiences,” said Josh Gibson, communications manager for Tennessee State Parks. “There’s this huge diversity, and the parks are free to enter and enjoy, so why wouldn’t you do it?”
Taking the chance to explore, hike, walk or bike through these huge natural areas can greatly benefit one’s mental and physical health.
Below, we have highlighted some of the best state parks in the Middle Tennessee area and the opportunities they provide.
photo by David Duplessis/TennesseePhotographs.com
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
A part of the Cedars of Lebanon State Forest, this park in Wilson County is named for the red cedar trees located throughout the forest. According to the Tennessee state park website, the trees in the area reminded early American settlers of cedar forests depicted in the Bible that grew across Mount Lebanon. The park, founded in 1955, spans 1,139 acres. It has 117 campsites, all equipped with tables, grills and electric and water hookups. Cedars of Lebanon also has a modern group lodge on its grounds that can hold up to 80 people, along with 30 tent and pop-up campsites. The park’s visitor center is located at 328 Cedar Forest Road in Lebanon. Most visitors describe the park as peaceful and beautiful.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
One of the largest and most visited parks in the state, Fall Creek Falls spans 26,000 acres on top of the Cumberland Plateau. The park is home to gorges, streams, trails and the main attraction: Fall Creek Falls. This waterfall stands at 256 feet and is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Eastern United States. Fall Creek Falls has 222 campsites in five areas of the park, and its more than 56 miles of trails can be utilized for long and short hikes. Fall Creek Falls is located in Van Buren and Bledsoe Counties and may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30. Visitors say this park offers great hiking trails that are accessible for adventurers of all ages.
photo by Jessica Reid
South Cumberland State Park
A park known for some of the best hiking and backpacking opportunities in the nation, South Cumberland sprawls across 30,000 acres of land in Grundy, Franklin, Marion and Sequatchie Counties. For extremely adventurous hikers, the park is home to the trail known as the “Fiery Gizzard Trail,” 12.5 miles long, one-way. On the Gizzard, travelers can view rock formations, waterfalls, streams and more. The trail is rated by Backpacker Magazine as one of the country’s top 25. The park also boats many more miles of hiking trails, cave entrances and a visitor center with interactive exhibits. More than 100 campsites are also located within the park, and picnic pavilions for large parties can also be reserved. Many visitors of the park note the vastness of the space available to explore and how well-maintained the trails and park areas are.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
This park is named for Old Stone Fort, a Native American structure built 1,500 to 2,000 years ago for ceremonial purposes. The main hiking trail within the park follows along the wall of Old Stone Fort, and visitors can see the original entrance of the fort. Hikers have the opportunity to learn more about the structure through 12 interpretive panels. The park is also home to several waterfalls and a museum, which includes prehistoric Native American replicas, dioramas, photos and a small theater. The park is located in Coffee County, Tennessee, and the museum is located on Stone Fort Drive. Many visitors applaud the park and museum for its commitment to educating the public on the history of Old Stone Fort.
photo by David Duplessis/TennesseePhotographs.com
Henry Horton State Park
Located in Chapel Hill, this state park was built on the estate of former Tennessee governor Henry Horton in the 1960s. The remains of a mill and bridge that were used by the family of Horton’s wife for over 100 years can be viewed in the park. The park features an inn, cabins, RV campsites, tent campsites and more lodging options. The area is also home to the Buford Ellington championship golf course, known as a very challenging course due to the trees surrounding it and the many bunkers. Additionally, Henry Horton contains the Henry Horton Trap and Skeet Range, with five skeet fields and two trap fields. Visitors say the area is great for families and that it is kept very tidy.
photo by David Duplessis/TennesseePhotographs.com
Edgar Evins State Park
Located in DeKalb County, on the shores of Center Hill Lake, Edgar Evins provides 6,000 acres, including cabins, campsites and an observation tower that offers a unique view of the lake. The park is also home to many different forms of wildlife, including three different owl species, bald eagles and more. There is also a marina in the park with a restaurant and gift shop. Park visitors say the view of the lake is stunning and commend the many amenities offered.
photo by David Duplessis/TennesseePhotographs.com
Burgess Falls State Park
Burgess Falls State Park, a day-use park located on the Falling Water River outside of Sparta, contains four magnificent waterfalls cascading down a total of 250 feet in elevation. A three-quarter-mile trail leads past the smaller falls and the remains of an old bridge to an overlook above the most spectacular of these waterfalls, which plunges 136 feet into the gorge below. Many visitors say the hike is not too strenuous, but has some hills, and the breathtaking view of the waterfall is well worth the trip. Also find fishing and picnic areas, a playground and a butterfly garden at Burgess Falls State Park.
photo by David Duplessis/TennesseePhotographs.com
Rock Island State Park
Located in White and Warren Counties, this park sits at the meeting place of Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers. The area includes the Caney Fork Gorge, which contains limestone paths, deep pools and scenic overlooks, below the Great Falls Dam. A 30-foot horseshoe waterfall, the Great Falls offers visitors a great view and is located below a 19th century cotton textile mill that used to be powered by the falls. Rock Island also features whitewater sections that draw in professional kayakers from across the country. Visitors often note the breathtaking scenery available at the park.
Tims Ford State Park
This park is located on the Tims Ford Reservoir and spans 1,321 acres in Franklin County. The Tims Ford lake is known as one of the top bass fishing and recreational lakes in the region. The park includes the Lake View Marina, complete with pontoon boat rentals and a courtesy dock. Cabins are also located within the park that are equipped with appliances and linens. Bear Trace at Tims Ford, a golf course, is another amenity in the park. Many visitors say Tims Ford makes for a very pleasant camping experience.
photo by Steve Ward
Radnor Lake State Park
Protected as a Class II Natural Area, this park offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities and environmental education programs for visitors. The day park, which lies just outside Nashville, is home to owls, herons, species of reptiles and mammals such as otters. Hundreds of wildflower species can also be viewed and photographed in the park. The Walter Criley Visitor Center provides interpretive exhibits, wildlife displays and historical artifacts. Multiple trails are available for those wishing to experience the animal and plant life in the park. Visitors praise the park as a great location to view nature.
photo by Ivory Door Studio
Long Hunter State Park
Located in Davidson and Rutherford Counties, Long Hunter gives visitors a wide array of opportunities such as fishing, hiking, boating and camping. It sits on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, and there are more than 20 miles of hiking trails in the park. The park is also home to Sellars Farm State Archaeological Area, which contains a Native American mound that is protected by Tennessee government. Visitors say that the park’s trails are great for leisurely walks.
photo by David Duplessis/TennesseePhotographs.com
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park
Within the 19,200-acre Pickett State Forest, this park provides hiking trails, a recreational lodge, cabins and more. The park, located in Pickett County, northeast of Jamestown, originated when Stearns Coal and Lumber Company donated 12,000 acres of land to the state of Tennessee in 1933, and the Civilian Conservation Corps developed the land into a recreational area from 1934 to 1942. The park now acts as a memorial for the work that those in the CCC accomplished during this period. It also features the Pickett CCC Museum, which displays interpretive exhibits on the contributions of the CCC to state parks and natural areas around Tennessee. The more than 58 miles of hiking trails at the park vary in difficulty, with some areas accessible to young children and others that only experienced hikers should attempt. Many visitors say this is a great location if you are looking for a less crowded hiking environment.
