Best Fall Hikes Near Nashville, TN: Trails, Waterfalls & Fall Colors

Peak fall colors in Middle Tennessee typically occur between late October and early November. Sunset begins earlier in autumn, at 5:50 PM by late November —be sure to plan your hike accordingly to best see the Nashville fall colors.

Best Parks and hikes for Nashville leaf peeping:

• Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville, TN: Ideal for those seeking peace and quiet or wildlife observation in Nashville.
   
• Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN: Perfect for a longer fall hike with paved trail options.
   
• Port Royal State Park in Adams, TN: A great blend of historical significance and scenic outdoor beauty.
   
• Old Stone Fort Archaeological State Park in Manchester, TN: Best Waterfall hike near Nashville during peak fall foliage.
   
• Natural Bridge in Sewanee, TN: A small, easy fall hike with a spectacular pay-off.
   
• Savage Gulf State Park in Beersheba Springs, TN: Great opportunities for those looking for an autumn adventure.
   

Distance from downtown Nashville: 11 miles

 Radnor Lake State Park is a gem for many reasons. It's located within Nashville's confines, meaning you can be a city lover and have your nature, too. There's no running, biking or pets allowed; it's ideal for the nature lover who wants total peace and quiet. 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.

• Trail Length: The loop around Radnor Lake is a round-trip of 3.1 Miles. This loop combines shorter trail sections around the lake.
   
• Difficulty Rating: The loop around Radnor Lake is easy to moderate. The Lake Trail is an easy, mulched path. The South Lake trail is moderate with natural terrain. For a difficult trail, opt for the Gainer Ridge Trail.
   
• Elevation Gain: The Radnor Lake Loop includes a gentle 196 ft. elevation change.
   
• Accessibility: There are several accessible trails, including the Historic Valve House Trail, Otter Creek Road, the Lake Trail, and Spillway Trail. All-terrain wheelchairs, which traverse a wide range of terrains, can be reserved. Find the colorlbind viewfinder, which alleviates red-green colorblindness, along the Lake Trail. It is wheelchair friendly.
   
• Parking: There are two main parking lots on Otter Creek Road - East Lot, accessed by turning west onto Otter Creek Road from Franklin Road; and West Lot, turning east onto Otter Creek Road from Granny White Pike.
   
• Seasonal highlights: Wintering waterfowl can be seen along Otter Creek Road each November-April.  
   
• Operating Hours: Trails open daily at 6:00 AM and close 20 minutes after sunset.
   
• Entrance Fee: Radnor Lake State Park and all Tennessee State Parks are free to the public.

Distance from downtown Nashville: 45 miles

Dive into rich history while enjoying the fall foliage at Port Royal State Historic Park. Port Royal was a town established in 1797, a year after Tennessee's 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, tailor 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 a short hike, walk along the Hopson Spring Branch Path for beautiful fall color along the river bottom.

• Trail Length: Hopson Spring Branch Path is .20 miles.
   
• Difficulty Rating: Hopson Spring Branch Path is easy.
   
• Elevation Gain: 36ft of elevation gain.
   
• Accessibility: Reach out to the Accessibility Team or the Park Office (931-645-0622) at least 10 days before your visit. This will enable the team to make the necessary arrangements to provide you with an enjoyable park experience. 
   
• Parking: Trail of Tears lot and the Masonic Lodge lot. A three-hour parking limit is for most spaces. 12 spaces facing the road in the Masonic Lodge are for all-day parking. Accessible spaces are also available.
   
• Seasonal highlights: Take historical tours about Port Royal's role in state and national history. Archaeological remains of the Port Royal town, 1890 Iron Bridge and Historic Downtown.
   
• Operating Hours: The park is open from sunrise to sunset. 
   
• Entrance Fees: Port Royal State Park is free to the public.

Distance from downtown Nashville: 12.2 miles

Enjoy a Nashville waterfall at the West Meade Waterfall located south of downtown Nashville. The waterfall is hidden in a shady cove in a hollow in West Meade. It's a quiet place to reflect and be inspired. 

• Trail Length: This waterfall can be viewed by the road, no hiking required.
   
• Difficulty Rating: Visiting this waterfall is easy.
   
• Elevation Gain: No elevation gain required for these Nashville fall colors.
   
• Accessibility: You can see the waterfall from the road, so it's easily able to be viewed by car or to get out and enjoy it with no hiking required.
   
• Parking: Park your car right next to the waterfall. The West Meade waterfall is located in a residential area, so please be respectful when visiting.
   
• Seasonal highlights: Perfect viewing of the falls after a spring rain, great shade is provided in the summer, where you can play in the little creek and spot salamanders. The area is home to beautiful wildflowers as well, which can be viewed in the spring and summer.
   
• Operating Hours: The waterfall is visible from sunup to sundown. 
   
• Entrance Fee: The West Meade Waterfall is owned by Nashville Metro Parks and is free to the public.
   

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, about 42 miles near Nashville. 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.

• Trail Length: The Stillhouse Hollow Falls Trail is 1.2 miles; the falls can be viewed 2/3 of a mile in. 
   
• Difficulty Rating: This hike is considered moderate to difficult. Boots are recommended for the varied terrain.
   
• Elevation Gain: There is an elevation gain of approximately 225 feet. Areas can be steep.
   
• Parking: Extremely limited spaces. If the area has met its capacity, visitors may not park in non-designated parking areas. It's best to visit during the weekdays or other non-peak times.
   
• Seasonal highlights: Spring wildflower displays like trillium, spiderwort, wild geranium, phlox and more. Visiting in the Fall provides a beautiful peak of Nashville's fall colors.
   
• Dog-Friendly: The Stillhouse Hollow Falls Trail is a great dog-friendly hike near Nashville, just be sure to keep your dog on a leash.
   
• Entrance Fees: There is no fee to hike to the falls, and the area is open to the public.

Distance from downtown Nashville: 70.3 miles

Rutledge Falls in Manchester, Tennessee, is a picturesque waterfall famously featured in "Hannah Montana: The Movie." The Rutledge Falls hike provides a great day of hiking near Nashville with waterfalls. To get to the base of the waterfall, hike the small trail that branches to the left for a gradual hike down to the riverbed. 

• Trail Length: The Rutledge Falls Trail is a short .2 mile hike.
   
• Difficulty Rating: The Rutledge Falls hike is considered easy to moderate.
   
• Elevation Gain: There is a small elevation gain of 29 feet.
   
• Parking: Located near the trail entrance across the road from Rutledge Falls Baptist Church. 
   
• Seasonal highlights: Splash in the swimming hole in the summer for a picturesque way to cool off.
   
• Dog-Friendly: Rutledge Falls is a dog-friendly hike near Nashville, but dogs must be kept on a leash, and the terrain may be challenging for some pets. 
   
• Operating Hours: The trail is open year-round and is open from dawn to dusk.
   
• Entrance Fee: Rutledge Falls is free to the public, despite being located on private property.

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-high 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.

• Trail Length: The hike to Sewanee Natural Bridge is 0.2 miles.
   
• Difficulty Rating: The Sewanee Natural Bridge hike is considered easy. Be cautious of slippery spots and steep areas.
   
• Elevation Gain: 36 feet of elevation gain.
   
• Parking: Located on-site.
   
• Dog-Friendly: Dogs are allowed at the Natural Bridge in Sewanee, but must be kept on a leash.
   
• Seasonal highlights: Particularly beautiful in the spring and summer as the surrounding trees and moss provide a verdant scenery that is truly photo-worthy. Visit in the fall to see beautiful foliage.
   
• Entrance Fees: The Natural Bridge is free and open to the public.

Distance from downtown Nashville: 95 miles

Savage Gulf State Park straddles is rife with waterfalls, rock outcroppings, scenic panoramas, walking trails, and fall foliage. Savage Gulf State Park contains some of the best hiking trails near Nashville, with more than 55 miles of trails to explore. A fan favorite, The Stone Door trail, provides Instagram-worthy lookout and views for miles with the option to hike down a bit further into some slot canyons if you're feeling really adventurous.

• Trail Length: The Stone Door Trail is 1.8 miles out-and-back.
   
• Difficulty Rating: The Stone Door Trail is considered Easy.
   
• Elevation Gain: There is an elevation gain of 127 feet if you choose to hike down into the slot canyons; this is optional.
   
• Accessibility: A paved trail from the Stone Door Ranger Station to the Laurel Gulf Overlook provides a stunning view of the gulf. There is also an ADA-compliant boardwalk and viewing platform at Foster Falls.
   
• Parking: Four trailhead parking lots are available.
   
• Seasonal highlights: Annual events include the Savage Gulf Marathon, known to be one of the toughest in the Southeast; Signature Hikes including First Day Hikes, Spring Hikes, National Trails Day Hikes and After Thanksgiving Day Hikes which are annual ranger-led hikes; Trails and Trilliums is a weekend-long naturalist event full of guided hikes, nature-themed presentations, workshops, vendors, crafters and local food trucks.
   
• Entrance Fees: Savage Gulf State Park is free to the public.