Where to go hiking in Middle Tennessee?
August 7, 2010 10:28 PM Subscribe
Hiking and camping near Nashville, or middle Tennessee area.
So, I finally made it here to Nashville, and am killing some time before school starts up. While the weather is not exactly what I'd consider ideal for stomping around woods or hills, I'd really like to get out of town for a day or two, or learn about some places I could go to on a Saturday or Sunday to get away from school.
Any good national parks/forests/wilderness areas that you'd recommend? Out in Oregon we'd frequently go for hikes out in National Forest, BLM, or Weyerhauser lands, not sure if there's an equivalent to that out here?
(ps - nashville mefites out there? meetup? anyone want to go for a really humid day hike or stroll?)
So, I finally made it here to Nashville, and am killing some time before school starts up. While the weather is not exactly what I'd consider ideal for stomping around woods or hills, I'd really like to get out of town for a day or two, or learn about some places I could go to on a Saturday or Sunday to get away from school.
Any good national parks/forests/wilderness areas that you'd recommend? Out in Oregon we'd frequently go for hikes out in National Forest, BLM, or Weyerhauser lands, not sure if there's an equivalent to that out here?
(ps - nashville mefites out there? meetup? anyone want to go for a really humid day hike or stroll?)
The Natchez Trace Parkway begins just south of Nashville, and is part of the National Park system. Awesome scenery and trails. In the fall it's just beautiful. Enjoy your time in Nashville!
posted by sister nunchaku of love and mercy at 11:05 PM on August 7, 2010
posted by sister nunchaku of love and mercy at 11:05 PM on August 7, 2010
Cedars of Lebanon is nice. I've not been yet, but I've also heard good things about Fall Creek Falls.
posted by jquinby at 5:31 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by jquinby at 5:31 AM on August 8, 2010
Lots of caves in Tennessee. Natural air conditioning!
posted by sonic meat machine at 5:52 AM on August 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by sonic meat machine at 5:52 AM on August 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
There is nothing approaching the amount of government land in Tennessee that there is in any Western state. But, there are some very nice parks and spots around, you'll just have to potentially travel a bit more. But close in, Warner Parks are great, and right in Nashville. There are some excellent hiking trails throughout. There's also Radnor Lake, and Shelby Park right by the river downtown.
If you want to get out a little farther and do more wilderness stuff, Savage Gulf and Fall Creek Falls are fantastic, where creeks and rivers carve out gorges and waterfalls dropping off of the Cumberland Plateau.
And yes, if you like caves, there are tons of them all around.
At the far ends of the state are places like Meeman-Shelby along the floodplains of the Mississippi, and a really cool park, or the ultimate (in my mind) Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the eastern edge.
posted by Red Loop at 7:57 AM on August 8, 2010
If you want to get out a little farther and do more wilderness stuff, Savage Gulf and Fall Creek Falls are fantastic, where creeks and rivers carve out gorges and waterfalls dropping off of the Cumberland Plateau.
And yes, if you like caves, there are tons of them all around.
At the far ends of the state are places like Meeman-Shelby along the floodplains of the Mississippi, and a really cool park, or the ultimate (in my mind) Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the eastern edge.
posted by Red Loop at 7:57 AM on August 8, 2010
Seconding Cedars of Lebanon. Other times, when I didn't have time to drive further out I would go to Radnor Lake and hope I would see otters (I did, a couple times!) Also, not a "hike" per se but more of a nice walk, but another place closer in that I really enjoyed was the Cheekwood Botanical Garden. Futher out, but not too far, is Montgomery Bell State Park.
posted by mingo_clambake at 8:44 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by mingo_clambake at 8:44 AM on August 8, 2010
Radnor Lake and Percy Warner Park are favorites of mine. Both are in Nashville proper and are easy to get to.
There's also an incredibly active Meetup Group that does everything from urban hikes to out-of-state trips and everything in between.
As for a Metafilter meetup, I'd totally be up for one. I don't think Nashville's ever had one. Memail me if you want to try to put one together or if you want to hike sometime.
posted by Locative at 10:12 AM on August 8, 2010
There's also an incredibly active Meetup Group that does everything from urban hikes to out-of-state trips and everything in between.
As for a Metafilter meetup, I'd totally be up for one. I don't think Nashville's ever had one. Memail me if you want to try to put one together or if you want to hike sometime.
posted by Locative at 10:12 AM on August 8, 2010
Go hiking at Fall Creek Falls for sure. Then drive down to Smithville, and visit Evins Mill Bed and Breakfast where you can hike up to Carmac Falls.
Then stay for dinner! We got married at that bed and breakfast and the food, the service, and the ambiance is just lovely.
posted by elisebeth at 8:21 AM on August 9, 2010
Then stay for dinner! We got married at that bed and breakfast and the food, the service, and the ambiance is just lovely.
posted by elisebeth at 8:21 AM on August 9, 2010
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posted by deezil at 10:49 PM on August 7, 2010