It's no secret that one of Tennessee's biggest draws is its outdoor beauty. Enjoy a colorful fall in Nashville at these places to hike near Nashville, Tennessee.
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. 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.
Accessibility: There are several accessible trails inluding the Historic Valve House Trail, Otter Creek Road, the Lake Trail and Spillway Trail. All-terrain wheelchairs which traverse a wide range of terrains are able to 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.
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.
Parking: Street parking and various lots at trailheads are available
Seasonal highlights: The famous Allee Steps at the Belle Meade Entrance to Percy Warner Park are encircled by a paved loop, also closed to vehicle traffic. This trail is bursting with budding trees in the spring, vibrant green trees in the summer and beautiful fall color in the fall. When the leaves have fallen from the trees, enjoy unencumbered city views in the winter.
West Meade Waterfall - Nashville
West Meade Waterfall
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.
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 that can be viewed in the spring and summer.
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.
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.
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 and perimeter trail within the ancient enclosure. The park also features two miles of hiking with waterfalls.
Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair friendly with accessible parking available. A limited number of ADA accessible lodge rooms, cabins and campsites are available. It's encouraged to make reservations in advance. A wheelchair-friendly bathhouse is located near site 25 and includes a paved path to each site. Accessible overlooks are located by the Museum and Visitor Center with views of the beautiful Duck River. Big Hole Falls has limited views because of a stone wall, but is paved.
Parking: Free parking in a limited lot that can fill up quickly during peak season and weekends. Arrive early or on a weekday.
Seasonal highlights: The northern parula and red-eyed vireo can be seen or heard throughout the summer. Spring and fall migration bring many species of birds to the area. Largemouth bass, bream and catfish can be caught in the Duck River's Bark Camp and Barren Forks. Guided fall hikes and photography lessons are held throughout the year at the park.
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, 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.
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.
Rutledge Falls - Tullahoma
Rutledge Falls
Distance from downtown Nashville: 70.3 miles
Rutledge Falls in Manchester, Tennessee is a picturesque waterfall famousy featured in "Hannah Montana: The Movie." The Rutledge Falls hike is considered easy to moderate, providing a great day of hiking near Nashville with waterfalls. The trail is open year-round and is open from dawn to dusk. To get to the base of the waterfall, hike the small trail that branches to the left for a gradual hike down ot the riverbed.
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.
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.
Parking: Located on-site
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.
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.
Accessibility: A paved trail from the Stone Door Ranger Sttion to the Laurel Gulf Overlook provides a stunning view of the gulf. There is also an ADA-comp;iant board walk 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.
