Even many longtime Murfreesboro residents may not realize that a state natural area offers a location for hiking just outside town.
Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area is not incredibly well advertised, other than a small brown sign in the parking area on the off-the-beaten-path Factory Road and a listing along with other protected state natural areas on the tn.gov site.
As its name suggests, the terrain is generally flat and rocky, but the area makes a good spot for a little nature walk and some quiet. It feels very secluded considering it sits only four miles from the MTSU campus and Murfreesboro’s Main Street.
Located on Factory Road, in between Halls Hill Pike and Old Woodbury Road, the approximately three and a half miles of sometimes-rocky trails at Flat Rock are fairly level, with little elevation change.
Though the landscape was a bit brown and dormant on a recent cold November day, plenty of cedar trees offered some greenery and the area can make a still and peaceful spot to get some fresh air and exercise, and maybe let the dogs and the kids run around.
In spring, the 800-plus-acre site should be a great place to view an abundance of animals and wildflowers. Although it may not contain any stunningly unique formations, waterfalls or views, Flat Rock still offers everyone a quiet and still piece of nature all year round.
Keep your eyes open for some interesting sinkholes and caves off the trail in the woods. Otherwise, it’s not incredibly treacherous terrain, which makes Flat Rock a good spot to let young kids move freely without having to worry about bluffs, cliffs and dangerous territory found in many hiking areas and state parks.
From the parking area, the initial trail consists of a loop a little over a mile. At the far side of this loop, hikers can choose to turn off the trail and take a second, longer loop. Really, nothing about the small arrows indicating the trails at these splits communicate “hey, you are about to add two more miles to your journey by taking this route,” though.
“Flat Rock supports a mosaic of forest types, oak barrens, open grassland barrens, and cedar glades,” according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “These glades are characterized by exposed limestone that is typically interspersed with cedar-oak-hickory forest that occurs in deeper soils. This limestone, with its many sinkholes, is a karst topography.”
Aside from the numerous types of trees and grasses, some of the rare plants found at the site, which the state designated as a natural area in 1999, include Tennessee milkvetch, leafy prairie clover, Missouri primrose, yellow sunnybells, Boykin’s milkwort, slender blazing-star and Pyne’s ground-plum, just to name a few.
Portions of the trail can be very rocky; watch your step and don’t roll an ankle. And some report it can get fairly muddy following rain, but many have enjoyed a walk in the area. Although the small parking area only has room for a handful of cars, it seems pretty calm there much of the time.
A sign at the trailhead recommends visiting in April, May and June to see the greatest variety of wildflowers, but the trails are there all year. Pay Flat Rock a visit, especially Murfreesboro-area residents wanting to spend some quiet time walking outdoors who may not want, or have time, to drive very far.
Find more on the Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area, and the state of Tennessee’s 83 other natural areas, by visiting tn.gov/environment and clicking on Natural Areas under the Program Areas menu.
Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area
2423 Factory Rd., Murfreesboro
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