Harpeth River State Park Is The Perfect Spot To Spend A Beautiful Summer Day In Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Published June 25, 2021
×
Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tennessee boasts many beautiful state parks across its varied, beautiful expanse, but the Harpeth River State Park has its own kind of beauty. Known for its interesting structure, picnicking spots, beautiful views, and opportunities for water sports, the park lies within an easy driving distance from Nashville. Don’t miss a hike to Hidden Lake, and the Narrows of the Harpeth is famous for its canoeing. Learn more below and plan a trip out of the city and into nature for yourself! Beauty is waiting.
Harpeth River State Park straddles both Davidson and Cheatham counties and is known for its expansive natural beautiful and linear structure. In fact, the long, skinny park manages 9 river access points in total.
There are multiple natural, historic, and archaeological areas that serve as educational hot spots for visitors. The park is for day-use only, as the areas around the Harpeth River consist of privately owned land.
Although there is no camping or overnight parking at the Harpeth River State Park, you can still have a great time while the sun shines! Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent from one of the many companies that dot the riverside.
The park has an interesting history. It was actually created to connect a series of local sites, and the Montgomery Bell Tunnel is one of them. The water tunnel was built in 1819 and is considered the first full-size tunnel built in the nation that was utilized to divert water with an industrial focus. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1994.
Visitors are encouraged to hike throughout the park. Harpeth River State Park is made up of 133 acres total. If you're looking for a recommendation, the Hidden Lake Double Loop is a 2-mile hike that features - you guessed it! - a hidden lake.
Have you been to the Harpeth River State Park? Hours change seasonally, so make sure you check out the Tennessee State Parks official website we've included below. You'll want to make sure the river is safe before you plan a trip as well.
