For those who enjoy exploring the state parks of Tennessee, Radnor Lake State Park makes for an easy, fun and scenic day trip from Murfreesboro.

Radnor Lake State Park, located in the heart of a Brentwood residential neighborhood, offers approximately seven total miles of trails and paved walkways surrounding the small lake.

Visitors can walk around the whole lake in under two and a half miles, taking the shortest and easiest route. It’s a fairly gentle, level and easy hike. Mulch covers much of the trail through the forest, while a mile-long section of the walk on the south side of the lake covers the portion of the paved Otter Creek Road that is now closed to vehicular traffic.

Many benches sit along the trail for walkers who need to rest frequently, or for those who just want to sit and look at nature, have an outdoor conversation with someone or read in a peaceful setting.

In addition to this shortest, easiest route around Radnor, various other trails and loops climb the ridges a little farther from the lake for greater challenges and inclines.

Wildlife packs the natural area. A group encounters a huge number of turtles sunning themselves on logs near the lake, as well as deer, a woodpecker, squirrel, geese and all sorts of other birds during just a casual walk around the lake. Diligent wildlife watchers can spot many more types of animals nearby.

Signs near the lake offer some information about birds commonly found in the area and other animals that call the water and forest home.

Recently, a group passed a park ranger helping a large snapping turtle that wandered onto a bridge find its way back to the water. The ranger gave some curious children information about the heavily armored reptile with a strong bite.

At times, the Radnor Lake State Park parking lots and street parking can be packed with cars, but the trails offer plenty of room to spread out once a visitor finds somewhere to park.

The state park system has announced plans to expand the park, adding about three more miles of trails and more parking spaces.

During a visit in mid-March, portions of the Lake Trail had an abundance of sunshine, but as the summer leaf canopy comes in, the trees should provide much more shade.

Radnor Lake State Park is open for day use only, no camping available. Find the park just off of Old Hickory Boulevard in Brentwood, between Granny White Pike and Franklin Road, with entrances and parking areas located off of both Granny White and Franklin Road.

For maps and more information on Radnor Lake State Park, and other Tennessee State Parks, visit tnstateparks.com.

Radnor Lake State Park
1160 Otter Creek Rd., Nashville
615-373-3467
Open from 6 a.m. to 20 minutes after sunset year-round