10 Best Parks in Nashville

Centennial Park was namechecked on Taylor Swift’s Folklore album, and the city responded: “For Taylor Swift, A bench for you to read on at Centennial Park. Welcome home, Nashville.” Located around 2 miles west of the city’s downtown core, Centennial Park is a green haven with an enticing blend of nature and culture.

Once you’ve paid homage to Taylor’s bench, there’s plenty more to do and see in this 132-acre city park: row a boat on Lake Watauga, stroll the walking and exercise trails, play volleyball, and take in the scents and sights of its sunken garden. Don’t miss the extraordinary full-scale replica of Athens’ ancient Parthenon, which was built in 1897.

Combine history with nature at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in downtown Nashville in the shadow of the Capitol. Built as a monument to Tennessee’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1996, you can take a self-guided tour of the 11-acre park or join a ranger to learn about its large granite map of the state, WW2 memorial, Pathway of History, and planters filled with native plant species.

Enjoy a picnic after you’ve shopped at the nearby farmers’ market at the shaded tables under the train trestle. At the top of the hour between 6 am and 11 pm, the 95 Carillon bells ring out a full version of the Tennessee Waltz. Stand in the center for a fully immersive experience.

Known as the Warner Parks, Edwin Warner Park and Percy Warner Park are next to each other, separated by Old Hickory Boulevard, around 9 miles from Nashville’s downtown core. Packed with well-signposted trails for all ages and abilities, dog walking areas, and horse trekking trails, look out for local wildlife including squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and birds.

You can enjoy a full schedule of fun events at Warner Parks from birding hikes to yoga. Summertime brings the Full Moon Pickin’ Party Bluegrass concert series so you can experience live music under the stars.

A new addition to Nashville’s riverfront, Cumberland Park is easily accessed via elevator or stairs at the Shelby Street Bridge. Part of the city’s Riverfront Revitalization Plan, Cumberland Park is a haven for children and families thanks to its cooling water features, quirky play structures, and climbing walls for older children.

Cool down from the sun at the Hollow which includes a “cloud bridge” with rain curtains and an interactive splash pad. Learn about nature in this urban playland on the Explorer Trail which incorporates crushed stones, plants, and meadows designed to attract butterflies.

Sevier Park is a child-friendly spot in the heart of Nashville’s residential 12 South neighborhood. Well-maintained with shaded play areas for smaller children, Sevier Park plays on the city’s heritage with musical playground toys. Visit the modern community center to join a gym session or dance class or take a dip in the swimming pool.

Popular for its well-groomed tennis courts, Sevier Park is just a 10-minute walk from the much-photographed I Believe in Nashville mural created by Adrien Saporiti, so stop by to snap that essential selfie.

Often called “Dragon Park” thanks to the fabulous mosaic sea serpent at its center, the Fanny Mae Dess Park is actually named after a local activist. This leafy park is close to Vanderbilt University in the Hillsboro/West End neighborhood. This small park is a good spot for shaded picnic shelters and children’s play areas.

Fanny Mae Dees Park is also home to Lily’s Garden, Tennessee’s first accessible playscape. It was named after Lily Shaw, who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Children in wheelchairs can play alongside their friends thanks to the long ramps and wheelchair swings.

Two Rivers Park in the Donelson neighborhood is a must-visit if you’re looking for outdoor fun in East Nashville. Set across 374 acres, the Two Rivers Park offers up an 18-hole golf course with superb views of the city skyline from the 8th hole, a skate park and disc golf course, and plenty of connected Greenway trails.

Enjoy a dip in Wave Country, the wave-action swimming pool at Two Rivers Park. Kid-zone includes a children’s playground and kiddie slide, so make it an action day out and ride the flumes and speed slides.

Just a short drive from Nashville’s downtown core, the Hamilton Creek Recreation Area centers around Percy Priest Lake. Offering up watersports fun of all kinds, the Hamilton Creek Marina is used as a stand-up paddleboard launch and is also popular with canoers and kayakers. 

Away from the marina, Hamilton Creek is also popular with mountain bikers with just over 11 miles (18 km) of single-track trails with enough limestone rock and exposed roots to challenge the most experienced bikers. If you’d like to practice your skills before hitting the more difficult trails, check out the intermediate loop. 

Shelby Park lies just 2 miles (3.2 km) from the downtown core, along the Cumberland River, with 300 acres of trails, playgrounds, golf courses, and public art. In 1994, more than 900 acres of protected wetlands were added to the park as Shelby Bottoms Natural Area, which offer a unique chance to explore the Tennessee floodplains and wetlands.

Rumor has it that the outlaw and bank robber, Jesse James, hid out here in the 1800s near what is now the Shelby Parks Recreation Center. Don’t miss the Reflection sculpture, known locally as the “dripping bird,” a giant mirrored silver sculpture of a mockingbird that looks like it’s melting.

Radnor Lake State Park is a protected area spanning some 1,368 acres just beyond downtown Nashville in Oak Hill with almost 8 miles of unpaved forest trails ringing the lake. A wildlife hub for birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, you may be able to see herons and owls, otters, and mink, as well as Eastern Box Turtles.

Take a self-guided tour on the interpretive trails or join a ranger-led tour to learn more about this stunning natural sanctuary. Seasonal tours include canoe floats, wildlife walks, and snake programs. There are a ton of exciting paths waiting for you to explore, including the Lake Trail, which is accessible to people with all-terrain wheelchairs.