Radnor Lake State Park
Radnor Lake State Park provides scenic, biological, geological and recreational opportunities not found in other metropolitan areas of Nashville's size.
L&N Railroad Company impounded Radnor Lake in 1914 to provide water for its steam engines, and intended to use the area as a hunting preserve for company executives. Migrating birds soon found the lake and began wintering there. In 1923, L&N's executive vice president stopped all hunting on the land and declared it to be a nature preserve. The company sold it to developers in 1961. It became the first State natural Area in 1973, with a diversity of natural habitats ranging from the lake to streams and placid sloughs, as well as wildlife and numerous species of plants in abundance.
The 90-acre lake is surrounded by steep hills rising as high as 400 feet, showcasing wildflowers in the spring and migrating birds in winter.
Hiking
Radnor Lake is day use only and is protected as a Class II Natural Area, so the trails are strictly used for hiking and wildlife observation.
Trails are off limits to pets, jogging, and bicycles.
Spillway Trail (.27m) easy
Lake Trail (1.3m) easy
Ganier Ridge Trail (1.55m) strenuous
Access Trail (.24m) moderate
South Lake Trail (.9m) moderate
South Cove Trail (1.3m) strenuous
Otter Creek Road (1.1m lot to lot) easy - Pets, jogging, and bicycles allowed.
Bird Watching
Wildlife and numerous species of plants are in abundance. It is a place that provides scenic, biological, geological, and passive recreational opportunities not found in other metropolitan areas of Nashville's size. Radnor Lake State Park provides a variety of scenic areas and a diversity of natural habitats. It even has some of the highest hills in the Nashville Basin. Wildlife is amazingly abundant. One can observe geese, herons, coots, and other birds as well as many species of salamanders, frogs, snakes, lizards, turtles, and mammals. Hundreds of species of wildflowers, mosses, fungi, ferns, and other lesser plants as well as trees, shrubs, and vines add to the natural ecological diversity of the area.
Museums
Visit the Museum to learn more about Radnor Lake State Park.
No Upcoming Events
Check back soon for more events, or visit our event page for events in other parks.
Radnor Lake State Natural Area lies in the Overton Hills of Davidson County. It is a day-use park only and a Class II Protected Natural Area.
Trails are strictly used for hiking and wildlife observation. One can observe geese, herons, coots, and other birds as well as many species of salamanders, frogs, snakes, lizards, turtles, and mammals. Hundreds of species of wildflowers, mosses, fungi, ferns, and other lesser plants as well as trees, shrubs, and vines add to the natural ecological diversity of the area.
Nature observation, photography, and research are the major activities. Radnor Lake has some of the highest hills in the Central Basin of Tennessee.
Radnor has a fascinating, complex geology. The rocks, which form its hills and valleys, were deposited on the floor of a shallow, tropical, inland sea 500,000,000 years ago.
Contact Info
1160 Otter Creek Rd.
Nashville, TN 37220
Phone: 615-373-3467
Email: Ask.TNStateParks@tn.gov
Directions
Take I 65 to Harding Place, Exit 78. Travel west on Harding Place (or Battery Lane) to Granny White Pike. Turn left and travel south to Otter Creek Road and turn left (across from Granny White Market).
Hours of Operation
Park: daylight hours------Visitors Center: daily Sunday-Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
