Park - NowPlayingNashville.com

Pages:

Reelfoot Lake State Park is located in the northwest corner of Tennessee and is noted for its fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. The 15,000 acre lake was created by a series of violent earthquakes in 1811-1812 that caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a short period of time, creating Reelfoot Lake. The park’s ecosystem is unlike any other place in Tennessee. Reelfoot lake is a flooded forest. While Majestic Cypress trees rise above the water, below the surface are many submerged Cypress stumps. A variety of aquatic plants and flowers occupy the shoreline and saturate the shallow water. The lake harbors almost every kind of shore and wading bird as well as golden and American bald eagles. During January and February, Reelfoot Lake is home to thousands of American bald eagles. Experienced park naturalists lead daily bald eagle and waterfowl tours and the annual Reelfoot Eagle Festival in February is a bird watching destination. In March and April, deep swamp canoe trips are offered and scenic pontoon boat tours are offered May through September. Every fall, hundreds of white pelicans stop at the lake on their seasonal migration. More information about the tours can be found under the activity section. While the shallow lake offers many opportunities for boating and fishing, swimming in the lake is not permitted. The park has several hiking trails that are popular for bird watching and wildlife viewing. There are two campgrounds at Reelfoot Lake State Park. Campsites provide water, electricity, tables and grills with many campsites located on the lake shore. The Ellington Hall Auditorium is ideal for banquets, reunions and meetings. The 3,700 square foot, air conditioned hall has kitchen facilites and can seat approximately 400 people theater style or 240 banquet style. Some audio/visual equipment is available and outside catering can be used to provide food and beverages. Reservations are accepted up to 12 months in advance. Interpretive programing is available at the Reelfoot Lake State Park’s R.C. Donaldson Memorial Museum and Nature Center. The center’s attractions include non-releasable raptors, snakes and other wildlife of the area. The museum is open year-round excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. HOURS: All parks are open to the public seven days a week but the park office, museums, visitor centers and historic sites may be closed two days per week and their hours may vary. The hours for most parks are one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Source: Tennessee State Parks

Roan Mountain State Park

Kids/Family ; Park ; Sports/Outdoors

Located on TN Hwy 143 at the base of the majestic 6,285 Roan Mountain, Roan Mountain State Park encompasses more than 2,000 acres dominated by rich hardwood forest along rugged ridges. The cool, clear Doe River winds its way through the center of the park and supports a healthy population of trout. Wildflowers and wildlife inhabit the hollows and ridges of the Roan foothills in abundance. There are 30 comfortable cabins, as well as RV and tent camping at the 107-site campgrounds. Each cabin has a front porch with rocking chairs, fully outfitted kitchen, full bath, wood burning stove and gas/electric heat. Each campsite has a grill and picnic table and is located near a bathhouse with hot showers. Visitors can hike along the creeks and ridges, tour the century-old Miller Farmstead or enjoy cross-country skiing in the winter months. There are approximately 12 miles of hiking trails and 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails. Difficulty levels range from easy to strenuous. Fishing is a popular activity in the park. The Doe River is cool enough year-round to be home to three species of trout. Native brook trout, as well as rainbow and brown trout, are stocked regularly. The Friends of Roan Mountain have compiled species checklists of flora and fauna found in the park. The park is located in Carter County and was designated a state park in 1959. HOURS: All parks are open to the public seven days a week but the park office, museums, visitor centers and historic sites may be closed two days per week and their hours may vary. The hours for most parks are one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Source: Tennessee State Parks

Rock Island State Park

Kids/Family ; Park ; Sports/Outdoors

Rock Island State Park is an 883-acre park located on the headwaters of Center Hill Lake at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers. The rugged beauty of the park includes the Caney Fork Gorge below Great Falls Dam. These overlooks are some of the most scenic and significant along the Eastern Highland Rim. Great Falls is a 30-foot horseshoe cascading waterfall, located below the 19th-century cotton textile mill that it powered over 100 years ago. Rock Island became a Tennessee State Park in 1969. HOURS: All parks are open to the public seven days a week but the park office, museums, visitor centers and historic sites may be closed two days per week and their hours may vary. The hours for most parks are one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Source: Tennessee State Parks

Seven Islands State Birding Park

Kids/Family ; Park

The diverse natural landscape of aquatic and grassland habitats makes Seven Islands State Birding Park a premier birding destination with more than 190 species of birds sighted. The park encompasses 416 acres along the French Broad River in Knox County, approximately 19 miles east of Knoxville. This peninsula of land features more than eight miles of natural trails, rolling hills, and views of the Smoky Mountains. In addition to being a wildlife refuge popular for hiking and wildlife observation, the park is a research and educational facility for schools and other groups and a demonstration area for land use and habitat management techniques. Songbirds, hawks, and waterfowl can be seen along the meadow trails and several old barns are a favorite refuge for Barn Owls. For paddlers and anglers, there is a small canoe/kayak launch that provides access to the French Broad River. The lands comprising the Seven Islands State Birding Park were acquired in 2002 as a wildlife refuge through a cooperative effort of the Seven Islands Foundation, a non-profit land conservancy, and the Knox County Parks and Recreation Department. The vision, goals, and objectives of the Seven Island Foundation included preservation of this property as a wildlife sanctuary and refuge. The state of Tennessee will continue to manage this as a state park for native flora and fauna and low impact, non-consumptive, outdoor activities for the enjoyment of the wildlife diversity and natural beauty of Seven Islands. Seven Islands became the 56th Tennessee State Park in July 2013. In addition to preserving Seven Island’s natural resources, future planning and management at the park puts a new focus on improving accessibility. We are pleased to announce that the new ADA trail, pedestrian bridge, and island loop trail opened for public use and enjoyment starting November 8, 2019. Please keep bicycles on the paved surfaces and bridge only. Fishing from the bridge is not permitted. Please be aware that water under the bridge is very shallow, diving and swimming are prohibited for your safety. HOURS: Sunrise to Sunset. Source: Tennessee State Parks

Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Kids/Family ; Park ; Sports/Outdoors

Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park is located nine miles north of Jamestown in Pall Mall, Tennessee and pays tribute to one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I. The park includes a visitor center modeled after York’s general store, his two-story house, a gristmill, the York Bible School, and various picnic facilities. The York Farm was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. Just outside the park are the Wolf River Methodist Church where he experienced his religious conversion and the Wolf River Cemetery which includes the burial site of Sgt. York and his wife, Miss Gracie. While these properties are not owned by the park, they are accessible as part of the driving tour or via the park hiking trail. GUIDED TOURS Park guides offer daily walking tours of the York home. The 45 minute tour focuses on the York home, where York, the World War 1 hero and his wife, Gracie, raised their children after the conclusion of World War 1. The park also offers a paid driving tour of the Wolf River Valley every Saturday and Sunday. Locations include the original home site and the York Bible School. HOURS: 8am to 4:30pm. Source: Tennessee State Parks

South Cumberland State Park

Kids/Family ; Park

South Cumberland State Park is located within four different Tennessee counties: Grundy, Franklin, Marion and Sequatchie. The park is composed of approximately 30,845 acres in nine separate areas and boasts some of the best hiking and backcountry camping in the region. The Fiery Gizzard Trail is a 12.5 mile long one-way trail that connects the Grundy Forest and Foster Falls. Hikers may observe nature, swim in Fiery Gizzard Creek, see spectacular rock formations, cascading streams, waterfalls, rocky gorges, panoramic overlooks and lush woodlands. This trail has been rated by Backpacker magazine as one of the Top 25 in the country and should not be missed! The Savage Gulf and Stone Door areas of the park offer approximately 55 miles of hiking to remarkable vistas, waterfalls and historical locations such as the Stage Coach Road. The Great Stone Door is an impressive cliff line overlooking the Savage Gulf. It gets its name from a crack in the cliff that runs from the top to the bottom that looks like a door left slightly ajar. This is one of the many ways to access the gulf below. Many of the trails are perfect for wildflower hunts as the hiker traverses the different environs of the top of the plateau and the deep gulfs. Carter Natural Area is part of a unique 18,000-acre enclosed-valley sinkhole aptly named Lost Cove. Dense forests, clear streams the striking Buggytop Cave entrance, one of the largest cave openings in the state, are a few of the features found here. Sewanee Natural Bridge is a beautiful sandstone arch that overlooks Lost Cove and is an easy hike from the parking lot. Grundy Lakes, a day-use area near Tracy City, provides swimming, picnicking, fishing, hiking and a view of 19th century coke ovens. The visitor’s center has interpretative exhibits and provides information on each component of the South Cumberland State Park and is a great place to picnic before beginning the adventure. Also located just outside the visitor’s center are various recreation fields (Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Horseshoes, Tennis, and Baseball) and equipment can be rented for free from the front desk. South Cumberland State Park has four picnic pavilions for larger parties that can be reserved in advance. There are also eight other small picnic areas with grills located throughout the park. Camping at the Foster Falls Campground and backcountry camping are popular activities at South Cumberland. There are more than 100 backcountry campsites scattered throughout the park. These are primitive, backcountry sites and hiking is required to reach all of them. Reservations are required for all camping, and can be made online. HOURS: All parks are open to the public seven days a week but the park office, museums, visitor centers and historic sites may be closed two days per week and their hours may vary. The hours for most parks are one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Source: Tennessee State Parks

Standing Stone State Park

Kids/Family ; Park ; Sports/Outdoors

Standing Stone State Park is located in Standing Stone State Forest on the Cumberland Plateau. The park takes its name from the Standing Stone, a 12-foot-tall rock standing upright on a sandstone ledge, which was supposedly used as a boundary line between two Indian nations. When the rock fell, the Indians placed a portion of it upon an improvised monument to preserve it. The stone is still preserved in nearby Monterey, Tenn. In the 1930s, Standing Stone was an area plagued with soil erosion and sub-marginal lands. With the assistance of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Work Projects Administration (WPA), the Resettlement Administration and U.S. Forest Service, the area was made productive again. They were able to relocate area farmers to better land, stop soil erosion, reforest and develop recreational opportunities. The site became a Tennessee State Park in 1939. Standing Stone State Park has more than eight miles of day-use hiking trails, providing access to some of the park’s loveliest areas. Trails range from easy to strenuous and pass into virgin woods through vivid wildflowers and over-flowing streams and around beautiful Standing Stone Lake. The park has 36 campsites, each with grill, picnic table, water and electricity. There are also 17 historic WPA cabins and seven more modern cabins available that can be reserved up to a year in advance. All cabins are completely equipped for housekeeping including appliances, microwave oven, cooking utensils and linens. The park has three group lodges ranging in size and accommodations. The Tea Room at Standing Stone is a conference-style meeting room that can accommodate up to 80 people and is approximately 800 square feet. The Tea Room includes a large back deck and five picnic tables. Great views of the lake and natural scenery make it an ideal location for wedding receptions, family reunions and small conferences. The famous National Rolley Hole Marble Tournament is held here every September. The largest of its kind, the tournament has been an annual event at the park for more than 30 years. This traditional marbles contest draws some of the country’s best players to a tournament where players match wit and skills with special flint spheres on a smooth dirt surface. The festival includes kids’ games, marble making, swap meet, tournament play, demonstrations, music and food. (Registration is required for the Rolley Hole Tournament.) This one of a kind family experience has been featured by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, CBS, CNN, Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic and Charles Schulz's Peanuts comic strip. Watch the great video our friends at Wild SideTV made about this internationally recognized tournament. HOURS: All parks are open to the public seven days a week but the park office, museums, visitor centers and historic sites may be closed two days per week and their hours may vary. The hours for most parks are one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Source: Tennessee State Parks

Sycamore Shoals State Park

Kids/Family ; Park

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park protects the land that was the location of several important historical events that occurred in the late 18th century. Leaving the English colonies, settlers began arriving along the Watauga Old Fields, in search of a new life on what was Cherokee land. John Carter, one of the primary political, military and business leaders of this era, and his son Landon, built a home, the Carter Mansion, three miles from Sycamore Shoals. This structure is the oldest standing frame house in Tennessee and dates back to the mid to late 1770s. Sycamore Shoals became a state park in 1976. The park’s visitor center houses interpretive exhibits highlighting the history of this time, a bookstore and gift shop, and park information. Located behind the visitor center is a reconstruction of the 18th century Fort Watauga, now the site of educational programs and musters presented by the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia. The 1.20-mile Patriot's Path is located on the south bank of the Watauga River. The trail features interpretive signs detailing the historical events of the area. The park offers an assortment of living history, recreational programming and events for the whole family from traditional arts and craft classes to military musters. The annual presentation of Tennessee’s Official Outdoor Drama, Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals is a popular attraction. Held every July in the 240-seat amphitheater with Fort Watauga as a backdrop, the play tells the story of the colonists who settled in the area during the late 18th century and the significant contributions they made to American history. HOURS: Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4:30pm. Source: Tennessee State Parks

T.O. Fuller State Park

Kids/Family ; Park ; Sports/Outdoors

T.O. Fuller State Park was the first state park open for African Americans east of the Mississippi River. A Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in the area initiated construction of the park facilities in 1938. It was designated Shelby County Negro State Park in 1938 and was later changed to T.O. Fuller State Park in 1942 in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller, a prominent African-American educator, pastor, politician, civic leader and author, who spent his life empowering and educating African Americans. Dr. Fuller served as principal of the Howe Institute, a precursor to Lemoyne-Owen College, for 27 years. The park is a place that protects and showcases unique natural habitat while offering a wide range of outdoor recreational assets – including a new Interpretive Nature and Education Center, hiking trails, playgrounds, an Olympic-size pool and splash pad, ball fields, basketball and tennis courts, and terrific gathering spaces for families, churches, organizations and groups. T. O. Fuller State Park works to preserve the park's CCC history and demonstrate how early park development fits within the context of the African American civil rights movement in Tennessee. The park also boasts a historical significance dating back even before its founding. During an excavation for a proposed swimming pool in 1940, CCC workers unearthed evidence of prehistoric village, opening the door to a lost and forgotten civilization. The site has since been developed as Chucalissa Indian Village and is operated by the University of Memphis. It includes a village, preserved archaeological excavations and a modern museum. The 1,138-acre park is located within the southern city limits of Memphis - seven miles from Graceland, 10 miles from the Memphis International airport and 15 miles from downtown. Although the park is close to the city, the wooded area of the park allows for a natural and serene setting. Its diverse terrain, from the Mississippi flood plains to the high and overshadowing bluff ridges, makes the area an ideal place for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Hiking trails range from moderate to rugged. The Discovery Trail is a four-mile loop where visitors have the opportunity to see the Chucalissa Indian Village and Wetlands. Picnicking is also popular with 35 picnic tables and grills located throughout the park. The park has four shelters that can accommodate groups of 40 to 120 people. All shelters have grills, nearby bathroom facilities, picnic tables and electric outlets. Reservations are required and should be made well in advance. For guests looking for a place to swim during their stay, there is an Olympic-size pool centrally located in the main recreation area of the park. The pool is open from early summer through Labor Day. This rich historical significance, combined with unique biological diversity makes T.O. Fuller a special gem within the Tennessee State Park system. HOURS: Source: Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks

Kids/Family ; Park ; Sports/Outdoors

Tennessee State Parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities across the state. All 56 state parks offer hiking and picnicking, but many also offer other activities such as fishing, golfing, boating, biking and camping, as well as interpretive programs on everything from history to the natural world. Tennessee’s award winning state parks are an affordable option for guests near and far. The state’s nature and history are beautifully preserved, and waiting for you. Visitors can see where the Trail of Tears began, learn about some of the famous battles fought in Tennessee and experience some of most spectacular views anywhere. 56 state parks 1,300 miles of trails 372 cabins 36 campgrounds Over 80 waterfalls Tennessee's state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families, and groups. All parks are open to the public seven days a week but the park office, museums, visitor centers and historic sites may be closed two days per week and their hours may vary. The hours for most parks are one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Contact the individual park for more information at www.tnstateparks.com/find-a-park. Source: Tennessee State Parks

The Outfield

Park ; Special Events ; Sports/Outdoors

The Outfield is in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood in Nashville, TN. The Outfield, located next to 410 Chestnut Street, features an acre of communal green space and an outdoor bandshell framed by the original guitar-shaped scoreboard from Greer Stadium—former home of the Nashville Sounds.

The Parthenon

Gallery/Museum ; Kids/Family ; Landmark/Historical ; Nonprofit ; Park ; Special Events ; Tour

Since the 1930s the Parthenon has continued to host changing art exhibitions in its galleries and to educate both Nashvillians and visitors about the legacy of the ancient Greeks and their impact on American civilization. We are owned and operated by the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation, a Department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Their mission is to: Educate the public concerning the Parthenon and the civilizations which built it, both in Athens in the 5th Century BC and in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1897 to the present; Exhibit, collect, and care for objects and information related to 5th Century BC Athens, the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, and the rebuilding of the Nashville Parthenon; and Exhibit, collect, and care for visual art and to educate the public concerning its various forms. The Centennial Park Conservancy is the Parthenon's support organization and works to preserve and enhance the Parthenon and Centennial Park while presenting enriching programming to share these two Nashville treasures with our community and visitors. Know Before You Go Visit HERE for important information and/or changes to hours, admission, and more. Please note: Face masks are encouraged inside the museum. Please practice social distancing. Hours and Admission* *Please visit here for important information and/or changes regarding admission, hours, and more. Currently (February 2022) Wednesday through Saturday 9am-4:30pm Sunday 12:30pm-4:30pm Closed on Monday and Tuesday Free Admission/Members $10/Adults $8/Children (4-17) $8/Seniors (62+) Free/Children 3 & Under Source: Official Website

Warner Park Nature Center

Kids/Family ; Park ; Special Events

Warner Park Nature Center is a Metro Parks of Nashville-Davidson County-operated environmental education center.

Warriors’ Path State Park

Kids/Family ; Park

Warriors’ Path State Park was named for the Great Cherokee War and Trading Path. Since that time, the park land has known a long history of travelers and is still a pathway for modern-day outdoor enthusiasts. The 950-acre park is located on the shores of the Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River. The park is home to premier boating and fishing activity, hiking trails, an internationally-renowned mountain bike trail system (which is a designated National Recreational Trail), an award-winning nature education program and a nationally recognized golf course. Warriors’ Path is the only Tennessee State Park with a Boundless Playground - where children of all physical and mental abilities can play together. Other unique features throughout the park that are fully accessible include: the Lions Narnia Braille Trail with eight sensory stations along a quarter-mile that tell visitors the story of Aslan of the Chronicles of Narnia, the Anderson Treehouse which is a fully-accessible tree house and the Palmer Center Foundation Amphitheater which can host audiences of up to 1,000 people. HOURS: Open 7 days a week, closed afternoon of December 24 and all day on Christmas Day. Source: Tennessee State Parks

Pages: