It's no secret that one of Tennessee's biggest draws is its outdoor beauty. Soak up the colorful fall foliage by hitting up some of these hikes close to Nashville for a memorable fall day spent outside.
Radnor Lake State Park - Nashville
Radnor Lake State Park
Distance from downtown Nashville: 11 miles
Radnor Lake State Park is a gem for many reasons: For one, it's located within Nashville's confines, meaning you can be a city lover and have your nature, too. For another, there's no running, biking or pets allowed; it's ideal for the nature lover who wants total peace and quiet. That said, you likely won't be alone. The 1,200 acres comprising the park are full of wildlife such as deer, river otters, beavers, turkeys, muskrat, bobcats and coyotes. There's also an aviary education center that provides refuge for endangered birds like bald eagles.
Percy Warner Park
Photo Credit: @warnertidwellphotography
Distance from downtown Nashville: 16 miles
Get your heart rate up early in the morning at Percy Warner Park, part of the 3,100 acres of the Warner Park System. Collectively, Percy and Edwin Warner Park offer more than 60 miles of scenic trails. Climb the iconic Allee Steps flanked by trees dressed in fall color at the Belle Meade Entrance to Percy Warner Park for a great way to get the day started. Once you reach the summit, you'll want to snap a picturesque photo of Belle Meade Boulevard. Enjoy the 5.8-mile and 11.2-mile paved loops that wind up hills and around mossy ridges that provide great stroller-friendly accessibility. Get one of the best views in downtown Nashville by taking the Luke Lea Heights short spur off the 11.2-mile route.
Port Royal State Historic Park
Photo Credit: Kyle Saucier
Distance from downtown Nashville: 45 miles
Dive into rich history while enjoy the fall foliage at Port Royal State Historic Park. Port Royal was a town established in 1797, a year after Tennessee Statehood. The town was known as a regional tobacco town, hosting a tobacco inspection point and a flatboat yard. The port led to the construction of a silk mill (the only one in Tennessee), general stores, tailors shops, inns, taverns and more. The town is also part of the National Trail of Tears Historic Trail as more than 10,000 Cherokee slept in the State of Tennessee for the last time at Port Royal. Historical interpretive tours are held by park rangers throughout the year. For an easy hike, walk along the Hopson Spring Branch Trail for beautiful fall color along the river bottom.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
Photo Credit: @jronniecooper
Distance from downtown Nashville: 63 miles
Manchester sits near the largest and most complex hilltop enclosure in the South, and Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park contains a ceremonial site that was established during the Middle Woodland Period, roughly 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists love this spot, but so do hikers, campers and fishermen, as it has campsites, a boat launch, perimeter trail within the ancient enclosure, and two additional miles of developed trail that flank a series of cascading waterfalls.
Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area - Mount Pleasant
Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area
Photo Credit: @shutteringthrulife
Distance from downtown Nashville: 67 miles
Take in beautiful fall foliage and the 75-foot waterfall, Stillhouse Hollow Falls located on the Western Highland Rim near Adams, Tennessee. You'll be able to experience the natural features that make this area unique like seeps, flat shale-bottom streams and small and large waterfalls. Plan to enjoy this waterfall during the week or non-peak hours as parking at the falls is limited. Walk about 2/3 of a mile along the Stillhouse Hollow Falls trail and you'll start to see and hear the thundering waters. Continue on to see small, scenic cascades as well as beautiful foliage and other plants. It's a great opportunity for meditation, forest bathing and picnics.
Sewanee Natural Bridge - Sewanee
Sewanee Natural Bridge Trail
Photo Credit: @TNSouthCumberland
Distance from downtown Nashville: 95 miles
The Sewanee Natural Bridge is perfect for the photographer who doesn't want to hike far to get that money shot of fall foliage. The 25-foot-hike natural sandstone arch inside South Cumberland State Park is striking and can be glimpsed just a few minutes from the parking lot (budget in another five minutes to walk to the bottom). Want to go further into the woods? There's a 4.3-mile loop that makes up the Buggytop Trail and Sewanee Natural Bridge Trail that's very popular with hikers.
Stone Door Trail - Beersheba Springs
Stone Door Trail - Beersheba Springs
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Photo Credit: @jymy13
Distance from downtown Nashville: 95 miles
Savage Gulf State Park straddles is rife with waterfalls, rock outcroppings, scenic panoramas, walking trails and fall foliage. A fan favorite is the Stone Door loop in the Savage Gulf part of the park, which has more than 55 miles of trails to explore; it's 1.6 miles out and back, but you'll be greeted with an Instagram-worthy lookout and views for miles, and will have the option to hike down a bit further into some slot canyons if you're feeling really adventurous.
