10 Outdoor Adventures Near Nashville with Kids

The spring and summer of 2020 have been weird due to Covid-19. Here in Nashville, my family had to cancel all of our summer vacation plans, our summer camps were canceled as was the summer swim team and we weren’t able to hang out with our usual tribe of friends and family in an effort to stay safe and healthy. While it hasn’t been easy, we have found lots of “silver linings” during this chaotic, uncertain time. One of the most wonderful things we’ve done is to discover tons of outdoor adventures in and near Nashville. During the warmer months when school was out, we tried to explore a new outdoor adventure spot every Friday. Now that school is (virtually) back in, we continue to visit new and favorite spots that get us outside!

We’ve also followed along with friends sharing their favorite outdoor adventures near Nashville with kids — and get many ideas by following their explorations on social media! I’ve asked several friends to share their favorite outdoor adventures near Nashville with kids too. Many of these spots have water to cool off or splash around during hot days and most of them are perfect for year-round adventures when you need to get the kids out and exploring. Even as school gets going, these are ALL wonderful places to visit after a long day of learning or over the weekend to explore with your kids.

1. Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area

Address: 8716 Lawrenceburg Hwy, Mt Pleasant, TN 38474

Distance from Nashville: About 65 Miles or 1 hour 10 minutes

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike – especially back up. Only .6 miles. 

Review: We loved exploring this Natural Area and Falls, but preferred the smaller waterfall turnoff for social distancing purposes. There were lots of mushrooms along the trail and a couple bridges to explore. Climbing around the waterfall was a little nerve wracking but fun. I’d definitely go again!

Social Distance/Mask Comfort: Some people wore masks. Everyone was considerate on the trail allowing you to pass with plenty of distance. The main waterfall was a little crowded, but lots of room to explore and distance.

Best time of day/Week to go: Early in the day and during the week to avoid crowds.

Description: Stillhouse Hollow Falls in Summerville, TN was definitely a fun adventure. We left Nashville early and drove just over an hour to the parking area right off the highway. The parking lot only accommodates 10-15 cars, so I recommend getting their as early as you can — the website and signs say if the parking lot is full, to come another day. The trail starts at the north end of the parking lot and then follows white trail blazes for approximately .6 miles to the falls. There are some steep switchbacks and a few places to turn off and explore the creek. Also, some cool wooden bridges. There is also a place to turn off and visit the top of the falls, but we went straight to the bottom. Once you get to the bottom, you can follow the creek or the trail next to the creek to the falls. On the day we visited the falls were a bit more crowded than we preferred — so we explored a bit, safely, climbed around and under the water and then found a spot where we could view the falls, but easily social distance and play in the creek. We brought lunch and picnicked. After an hour or so, we began the hike back up and closer to the top, we stopped at a smaller falls off the trail that was empty of visitors. We loved this spot and spent another 30 minutes playing and splashing before returning to our car. 

Bonus: After hiking to the falls, we drove another 10 minutes to the Amish Community and toured a house and bought some food items at the Amish store. Another spot I can’t wait to return to.

2. Narrows of the Harpeth

Address: 1672 Cedar Hill Rd., Kingston Springs, TN 37082

Distance from Nashville: About 22 Miles or 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy-to-moderate Harris Street Bridge Trail (0.35 mi) connects to the easy Tunnel Trail (0.2 miles) to visit the waterfall, with optional overlook via the Bluff Trail (0.25) including a steep ascent to narrow bluff with views.

Review: Pack a picnic and spend a lovely half-day by parking at the Harris Street Bridge lot before hiking the one-mile out-and-back continuous trails to see the man-made tunnel and small waterfall. When you get back to your car, grab lunch and use one of the picnic tables before splashing and floating in the river and exploring the rocky island there.

Social Distance/Mask Comfort: The trails are generally wide enough to pass others safely or step off the trail for extra distance. The waterfall is the busiest spot, but there’s space to spread out.

Best time of day/Week to go: Early in the day and during the week to avoid crowds.

Description: We visited Narrows of the Harpeth twice this summer, and it was a great place for a relatively easy, shaded hike to a cool destination and back. We then picnicked and dipped in the river for some much-needed swimming and floating. According to Tennessee State Parks, our hiking destination, the small waterfall, is “the site of one of the oldest man-made tunnels in existence today. Montgomery Bell, an early iron industrialist, had the tunnel built in 1818. The 100-yard tunnel was hand cut through solid rock and is considered one of the great engineering feats of the time. It is an industrial landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.” There’s a “No Swimming” sign at the waterfall, and while some people ignored the warning, I recommend following it: The water was pretty stagnant in that spot, and we saw more litter than other areas. But it was refreshing to swim and float in the Harpeth River back at the Harris Street Bridge access point. Wear swimsuits and pack sunscreen, insect repellent, towels, water shoes, and floats to enjoy the picnic area and fast-moving Harpeth River. Check the strength of the current and water depth before letting little ones or novice swimmers into the water. The small rocky island “beach” there is fun to explore, and our kids loved imaginative play with the rocks, plants, and various treasures they found.

Tip: Bring camp chairs to sit along the river. The best spot for shade is at the base of the canoe ramp, but because it’s a pick-up point, you may need to make room for outfitters picking up customers.

Contributed by: Paige Clancy clancypartners.com

3. Grundy Day and Fiery Gizzard Loop Trail

Address: Fiery Gizzard Recreation Area/131 Fiery Gizzard Rd, Tracy City TN 37387

Distance from Nashville: About 95 miles or 1 hour and 31 minutes

Difficulty: 3 miles of Moderate, rocky uneven terrain but not a difficult elevation gain.

General Review: Perfect for a hot day with plenty of places to stop for a swim.

Social Distance / Mask Comfort: The trail is narrow in some places but other hikers were polite to step aside for passing. Some people wore masks, others did not.

Best time of day /Week to go: Midweek to avoid crowds.

Description: See Below with Stone Door Trail.

4. Stone Door Trail

Address: South Cumberland State Park/Savage Gulf State Natural Area/Beersheba Springs 3177 TN-399 Palmer TN 37365

Distance from Nashville: About 96 miles or 1 hour and 40 minutes

Difficulty: 1.8 miles out and back and the first quarter-mile is easy and paved, wheelchair, and stroller friendly. After that the trail is dirt and you continue southeast to moderate terrain that offers a great photo opportunity.

General Review: Perfect for a nice short stroll to take in an amazing view.

Social Distance / Mask Comfort: Some people wore masks, others did not but plenty of room on the trail to distance yourself from others.

Best time of day /Week to go: Midweek to avoid crowds.

Description: During the Pandemic this summer my family and I took a day trip to my new favorite hiking spot in Tennessee. Our first hike was the Grundy Day and Fiery Gizzard Loop Trail. The trail is a bit rocky and narrow in spots but the majority of the hike is along the river offering plenty of spots to stop and cool your toes. We brought along a picnic lunch to enjoy after our hike, there are 4 or 5 covered tables at the top of the trail. We continued in our car to the Stone Door Trail that is about 35 miles away. There is a perfect spot along the paved trail to take in a beautiful view. If you are able to continue further and navigate the terrain, the trail extends southeast for a perfect photo opportunity at the stone door and stone door overlook. As always, when appropriate we love to bring along our furry friend for our adventures and she enjoyed her “on leash” outing as dogs are allowed on both trails. These were two beautiful day hikes that were not far from home, offering the perfect opportunity to escape to nature for a bit.

Contributed by: Stacey Cleghon at Village Real Estate, Instagram – @Staceysellsnashville and:

• https://www.villagerealestate.com/agents/180555-Stacey-Cleghon/
• https://www.facebook.com/stacey.cleghon
• https://www.facebook.com/StaceySellsNashville

5. Machine Falls & Rutledge Falls

Location: 1400 Rutledge Falls Road, Tullahoma, TN

Distance from Nashville: About 73 miles or 1 hour 15 minutes (they are about 5 minutes apart)

Difficulty: Machine Falls (moderate hike) & Rutledge Falls (easy, short hike)

Review: we loved the hike to Machine Falls, but enjoyed the swimming area better at Rutledge Falls. Trails are easily marked and something you can do with kids that can hike/walk on their own.

Social Distance / Mask Comfort: Most people didn’t wear masks, but were more than 6 feet apart. Families primarily just stayed together off on their own. Machine Falls was more crowded.

Best time of day /Week to go: Open year round from dawn to dusk. We went midday and many people packed picnics. I would say this was probably the busier time of day to go and would suggest earlier or later in the day.

Description: As a family, we decided to go to Machine Falls and Rutledge Falls after a friend recommended them to us. The Falls are so close together, we decided we would explore them both on a day trip adventure. We packed a few snacks, water bottles, swimsuits, bug spray, and were on our way. We decided to go to Machine Falls first. The full loop of the trail is 4.5 miles, but we took a shortcut and only did about half the trail. My 11-year-old was pooped, so I am glad we cut it short. There are quite a few switchbacks and steep hills, so we had to take many breaks. Once we reached the water, the kids hopped in to cool off. The water is cold but refreshing. We didn’t stay long because it was a bit crowded. We then took a quick 5-minute drive to Rutledge Falls. The hike to the falls is right off the road and very short, but the swimming hole is much better here! It was a perfect family outing for a weekend and we will definitely do it again.

Contributed by: Amanda Baron, Instagram – @Amanda_baron_abtnhomes

6. Beaman Park

Location: 4111 Little Marrowbone Road, Joelton, TN 37080

Distance from Nashville: About 13 miles or 30 minutes.

Difficulty: Accessible parking lot with 10+ parking spots (and space to park alongside the access road if all spots are taken), clearly marked trails and easy access to creek from Creekside Trailhead. Rocks in the creek can be slippery and trail is rocky and covered in tree roots so be prepared with appropriate footwear.

Review: Kiddo (3.5 years old) and I love to go in the early morning and spend the morning scrambling, splashing and enjoying a quiet break from city life. Though we have not been to the Nature Center we have learned a lot from the information shared at the Creekside Trailhead parking lot as well as from observing the flora and fauna around us. There is plenty of opportunity to be active and tackle one of the three trails around Beaman or take it easy and park yourself on a flat rock next to the creek and watch the littles splash and play. The creek is fairly shallow, even on the days we’ve been after a heavy rain so even the littlest of littles could enjoy themselves with splashing and exploring. The trails and the creek are nearly entirely covered in forest canopy so even on a hot, cloudless day there is relief to be found outside at Beaman.

Social Distance/Mask Comfort: Not very many people wear masks but I have always been met with kindness when Kiddo and I step off the trail and turn our backs to avoid close contact with others on the trail with us. On all of our visits to Beaman, we’ve maybe crossed paths with people while on the trail maybe a half dozen times. Kiddo and I choose to wear our masks until we get down to the creek. It is very, very easy to distance appropriately while in or immediately alongside the creek. 

Best Time of Day/Week to Go: Early in the day and in the middle of the week is the best time to go – and you may see us there, too! (Please say hi —from a distance!) The weekends can definitely be crowded, especially on beautiful weather days.

Description: The pandemic has undoubtedly forced many of us, even the homebodiest of introverts, outside and for Kiddo and I that is definitely the truth. We went to Beaman Park to explore the creek on our friend and Tinkergarten teacher Katie’s recommendation for the first time in October of last year – right before it became too cold to splash in the water. Since March we’ve been to Beaman an average of once a month, we love it so.

While the “main” entrance to Beaman is at the Nature Center on Old Hickory Boulevard, Kiddo and I always go straight to the parking lot on Little Marrowbone at the Creekside Trailhead. From here you can access the moderate-rated Ridgetop Trail which follows old logging roads as well as the moderate-rated Henry Hollow Loop creekside trail which connects with the third trail at Beaman, Sedge Hill Trail which starts at the Nature Center.

Our usual routine is to climb down into the creek at the first access point from the Henry Hollow Loop trail and wander up the creek until we get past the bridge and waterfalls. At that point we’ll find a big flat rock to deposit our bag full of towels, sunscreen and bug spray, potion making equipment (buckets + spatulas) and a hearty snack for the both of us and spend the rest of the morning exploring from our little home base. 

There are many access points between the creek and the creekside trailhead along the way so if you change your mind it’s easy to hop between water and trail. Along the trail are some small waterfalls and in the creek some deeper spots – though my 5’9″ frame was never deeper than my knees. 

We’ve seen a blue heron, numerous butterflies and caterpillars, heard various birds and frogs and gotten up close with minnows and crayfish in the water. In addition to wearing comfortable water and hiking shoes (Kiddo prefers to creek scramble barefoot while I wear my Chacos for both water and trail) and bringing ample sunscreen (don’t be deceived by all of the shade!) and bug spray, pack towels and toys (buckets are always a winner, as are little trucks and figurines) and a small net to catch the minnows and crayfish!

Contributed by: Alexandra Payne, Instagram – @raisingnashville and website – www.raisingnashville.com

 7. Richland Creek Greenway

Location: There are several ways to get onto the greenway and gain access to the creek. We love to hop on at the McCabe Community Center (101 46th Ave N.) or at the corner of 51st Ave. N. and Wyoming.

Distance from Nashville: Directly in the heart of Nashville’s Sylvan Park neighborhood.

Difficulty: Easy – the greenway is paved and is good for all skill levels. Stepping off the asphalt path to walk to the creek requires a bit of trekking along dirt trails through the trees, though only for a few meters.

Review: We love the 2.8 mile McCabe Golf Course loop for walking and running throughout the year. Dogs are welcome and are required to be leashed. Our kids especially love stepping off the paved path to make their way down to the creek – there are several places to do so along the greenway and the creek is great for skipping rocks and wading (for dogs and people alike!).

Social Distance / Mask Comfort: Some people wear masks. The path is wide enough to pass with space if you do so single file (not everyone does). It can definitely get crowded at peak times.

Best time of day /Week to go: Midday on a weekday is always going to be less crowded than on a weekend or during the evening.

Description: We visited the Richland Creek Greenway for the express purpose of splashing in the creek several times this summer. It was the perfect activity for those days when we had just an hour or two to fill. Our favorite route was to jump onto the greenway at 51st Ave. and Wyoming and head west. The path takes you along the back of the golf course and within about a quarter-mile there are several spots where you can see a break in the brush. If you push the branches aside a bit and follow the established footpaths, you’ll be at the creek in a matter of meters. My daughters were particularly enchanted this summer to discover multicolored river glass along the bank and not as enchanted to discover a large crayfish that crawled out from under the rocks and pebbles in the shallows. Our dog loved to come along on her extendable leash and splash and shake to her heart’s content. If you are in the mood for a longer walk, you can continue along the greenway loop once you leave the creek; if you’ve had enough, retrace your steps and you’ll be back to your car in no time.

Contributed by: Amanda Reynolds (See her previous guest post here)

8. Montgomery Bell State Park

Location address: 1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns, TN

Distance from Nashville: 30-35 minutes

Difficulty: For hiking, there’s a wide variety of difficulty, from the very easy to the more challenging terrain.

Review: You can easily spend a full day (or a full weekend) at Montgomery Bell State Park! Our kids love it, and it’s fun for the adults as well.

Social Distance / Mask Comfort: We haven’t seen many masks in the outdoor areas, but there is enough space to be able to spread out and feel more than comfortable.

Best time of day /Week to go: Weekdays are great, but we’ve had great luck going on weekend mornings as well.

Description: Montgomery Bell State Park is a favorite getaway for us! With just a short 30 minute drive, you can be immersed in this large, well-maintained park that offers a multitude of activities. Our kids love the free swimming beach (though it closes after Labor Day), and the paddle boats near the beach are always a good time and open year round. The park offers a variety of hiking options, fishing, and a golf course. We have gone several times since quarantine began in March and felt very safe during each visit. One of our favorite things to do is get a room at the newly-renovated Lodge and spend a night away from the city. The Lodge offers dining, but we haven’t been (to the lodge) since the pandemic began so I can’t speak to how well that’s being managed. The park also offers cabins, which were very nice when we visited a few years ago. We tend to prefer the hotel, though, so that we can avoid the 2 night minimum stay. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a fun overnight getaway, we’re huge fans of this park!

Contributed by: Jessica Shafer, Instagram – @raising_explorers

9. Deerwood Arboretum

Location Address: 320 deerwood lane, Brentwood, TN

Distance from Nashville: About a 20 minute drive

Difficulty: Easy

Review: A paved walking, biking path and the little Harpeth available for splashing around make this a wonderful outdoor spot.

Social Distance / Mask Comfort: There is plenty of room to social distance; no mask needed while enjoying the park, in my opinion

Best time of day /Week to go: Any day! It’s never crowded.

Description: Deerwood is Brentwood’s best kept secret; anytime I share about this magical place the people I am talking to have never heard of it. We learned about it after trying to find parking at Radnor Lake and there was none; did a quick google search for another park with trails and Deerwood popped up! Deerwood is lovely and “showcases native trees, migratory birds, butterflies and other wildlife” (from their website). Our boys have a blast spotting all of the tree signs & asking what each tree is. It also runs along the Little Harpeth River, there are lots of walk-in spots for wading / skipping rocks / exploring. The park also has an all-flat paved jogging / biking trail loop – it is well shaded. We typically bring the boys bikes or scooters and then also bring a towel in case they want to get into the creek! Pack snacks or a lunch, this is also the perfect place for a picnic. 

[Editor’s Note: We visited Deerwood Arboretum this summer and were blown away by the water lily pond and field just off the path. Such a magical spot.]

Contributed by: Becca Fox, Instagram – @beccafoxtn

10. Evins Mill

Location:  1535 Evins Mill Road, Smithville, TN

Distance from Nashville: About 70 miles or 1 hour 20 minutes.

Difficulty: Moderately difficult hike; especially on the way down to the falls, approximately 1 mile

Review: The trail is well marked and quiet (due to needing reservations to hike). We loved getting into the water at the bottom of the falls. If you have a young child, I would recommend bringing a life vest or puddle jumper. The hike is relatively easy until you get closer to the falls; then, it’s very steep. There is a rope handrail to grab onto on the way down. Pack light!

Social Distance/Mask Comfort: We only saw 3 other small groups during our whole time on the grounds. Most of the trail is wide enough to pass other people at a safe distance and everyone we came across was polite. We wore masks only when we entered a building to use the restroom/pick up our lunches.

Best time of day/Week to go: We went on a Thursday morning; it would likely be a little busier on the weekends when the resort has more guests.

Description: My three kids (ages 15, 11, and 7) and I wanted to wrap up our summer with a bang and when I heard that Evins Mill resort had a day-tripper package, I called to make a reservation. There isn’t an option to reserve this online so you will have to make a phone call. I made my reservations the week of our trip but if it’s a holiday or weekend, I would recommend calling a few weeks ahead of time to be assured a spot. On the morning of our trip, we wore our bathing suits, packed water bottles, snacks, water shoes, and towels. The drive was easy and we arrived right at 11 am. The day tripper package allows you to wander the grounds from 11 am-6 pm. I picked up our lunches, included in the package, at the front desk and we began our hike down to the waterfall. Along the way, we stopped to eat our sack lunches which were plentiful and tasty. If we do this again, we’ll eat before we hike because carrying the lunches and then the trash was cumbersome. The path down to the waterfall was mostly well marked aside from one spot where we weren’t sure whether to turn left or right. If you go, take the right turn! When you’re able to see the waterfall, the path becomes very steep; we descended slowly and carefully. The waterfall is breathtaking and the water is cold and refreshing. We all enjoyed swimming and exploring the rocky landscape.  The kids were all disappointed when we had to leave! If it is too chilly for swimming, there is a shallow area to splash and explore where my girls found fish and a little water snake.

Bonus: After we completed our hike and changed in the rec room restrooms at the resort, we stopped into Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery for a farm tour. Right now, this also requires a reservation. We learned all about milking goats, farm life, and even got to hold sweet, baby goats. We purchased several of the goat cheeses, ground beef, caramels, and eggs at the Creamery and they were all full of mouthwatering flavor. Don’t miss the petting area with the friendly emus!     

Contributed by Anne Hamilton, Instagram – @annehamilton_615