Outdoor activities for fall in the Nashville region
The ten counties of Middle Tennessee have plenty of outdoor activities and things to explore. Here are five quick destinations around our region you should enjoy.
Davidson County
Percy and Edwin Warner Parks are some of the finest parks in the region. Popular for hiking, trail-running, biking and birding, Edwin Warner has plenty of shorter options while Percy Warner is best known for the challenging Mossy Ridge Trail, a 4.5-mile loop with plenty of elevation gain for those looking for a workout.
If you’d rather have a more relaxing park visit, check out the Edwin Warner dog park with furry friends or play a round at one of two golf courses onsite. Learn more about things to do at the Warner Parks here.
Dickson County
Dickson County is located about 35 miles west of Nashville and is home to plenty of historic sites, including the state’s oldest continuously-used courthouse. The best way to appreciate Dickson County’s natural beauty is by checking out Montgomery Bell State Park. Some of the park’s main attractions are a collection of mountain bike trails, a 10-mile hiking trail that leads all the way around the park’s circumference and camp sites.
You can also go boating on any of the park’s three lakes. Boat rentals are available at the park including kayaks, canoes, rowboats and pedal boats. Click here to learn more.
Montgomery County
Located north-west of Nashville, Montgomery County’s biggest city is Clarksville. Montgomery boasts two State Parks – Port Royal and Dunbar Cave. Both offer hiking year-round, but Port Royal is great for access to the Red River while Dunbar Cave periodically holds special events in the eight-mile long cave that gave the park its name.
Clarksville is also home to Austin Peay State University which has several NCAA teams for men and women. You can check out their sports schedule here to catch a game.
Rutherford County
Rutherford County is home to Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee State University and is located to the southeast of downtown Nashville. If you’re a history buff, then a visit to the Stones River National Battlefield is a great way to explore the site of the Battle of Stones River, one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. You can hike, see living history demonstrations and more at the park.
Not far from the battlefield is Cannonsburgh Village, a staged representation of life in Tennessee from the 1830s to the 1930s. You can see a working blacksmith shop and take a guided tour of the other buildings on site for a small fee through November 30.
Williamson County
Just 30 minutes south of Nashville is Williamson County, home to the historic city of Franklin. One of the County’s highlights in the Natchez Trace Parkway. This route is known for scenic views, especially in the fall when the leaves start to change color. You can navigate the Natchez Trace by car, but for the best experience try it on a bicycle. Of course, the entire Natchez Trace spans 444 miles all the way from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, so you’ll have to plan ahead to see the whole thing.
Autumn in Tennessee is beautiful. Make sure you get out and enjoy all the beautiful scenery our region has to offer.