Boat registration is required. To obtain an application, check with the County Clerk's office at 862-6050, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 781-6266, or any boat dealer.
Sailing
NASHVILLE SHORES YACHT CLUB AND MARINA 3979 Bell Rd. 883-0413.
PERCY PRIEST YACHT CLUB, HAMILTON CREEK PARK 2901 Bell Rd. www.ppyc.org. Active sailing club out of Hamilton Park Marina; races, parties.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Local canoeing rivers include the Buffalo, Duck, Elk, Harpeth and Red. Rental companies follow:
BUFFALO CANOEING AND CAMPGROUND OF HOHENWALD (931) 796-2211. www.buffalocanoeing.com. Serves the upper section of the Buffalo River.
FOGGY BOTTOM CANOE RENTAL 1270 Hwy. 70, Kingston Springs. 950-4062. Serves the Harpeth River around Kingston Springs.
PIZZA SHACK CANOE RENTALS 1203 Hwy. 70, Kingston Springs. 952-4211. Serves the Harpeth River.
TIP-A-CANOE 1279 Hwy. 70, Kingston Springs. (800) 550-5810. www.tip-a-canoe.com. Serves the Harpeth River around Pegram.
Climbing
Below are some climbing areas near Nashville. For more information and permits (usually required), call local outdoor shops and climbing gyms.
Chattanooga Area:
FOSTER FALLS Sport climbing. Must have a leader. Marin County just before Chattanooga. Take I-24 East to the first Sewanee exit. Stay to the right. Go one mile and take a left toward Tracy City. Go straight. Take a right at the second stoplight—you will pass Dutch Maid Bakery. Go straight for eight or nine miles until you see a sign indicating a large parking area.
SUNSET ROCK Traditional climbing. Can be top-roped. Just above Ruby Falls. I-24 East to Ruby Falls exit. Follow signs to Ruby Falls. Go past Ruby Falls, pass The Incline, a gear shop. Turn right when you see a large water fountain in a park. There is a parking area with five to six all-day spots. (The rest are two-hour spots, and towing is enforced.)
TENNESSEE WALL, OR T-WALL Traditional climbing; I-24 East to downtown Chattanooga. Get off at the Hwy. 27 N. exit. Go straight, then take the Signal Mountain Blvd. exit. Go 1.5 miles, then turn left past a Subway on your right. This is Suck Creek Rd. Go two or three miles, over a bridge, then left to Mullins Cove Road. Go 6.8 miles. The parking lot is on the left; the trail is to the right.
Clarksville Area:
QUEEN'S BLUFF Mix of sport and traditional climbing. Follow I-24 West to Clarksville. Take Exit 11, Clarksville/Adams. Go left under the freeway. Go straight until the first four-way traffic light and then take a left at the car wash. Park and walk up over a guardrail. For climbing permits (required), call Cumberland Transit 321-4069 or contact the Southeast Climber's Coalition at www.seclimbers.org.
Fishing
Licenses are required and may be obtained from the County Clerk's office (862-6050) or just about any business around area lakes. Or call the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 781-6500 for general fishing information and the $100 sportsman license, which includes all permits within TWRA-owned land.
Horseback Riding
BOWIE NATURE PARK Fairview. 799-5544. Nearly 13 miles of trails are also shared by hikers and mountain bikers. Call before coming for trail availability. Maps are avail. at the park kiosk and at the Nature Center (where nature classes are also avail.)
CEDARS OF LEBANON STATE PARK Lebanon. 443-2769. Twelve miles of horse trails. For guided rides or to rent horses, call 444-5465. (See "State and National Parks" for information.)
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES 100 Van Morgan Dr., Golden Pond, Ky. (270) 924-2000. Horseback riding (including campground with stalls). Guided trail rides are available. (See "State and National Parks" for description.)
Metro Golf Courses
Course schedules change depending on season. Harpeth Hills is $11 for nine holes ($12 on weekends), $16 with a cart ($17 on weekends). Ted Rhodes is $9.50 for nine holes ($10.50 weekends), $14.50 for cart ($15.50 weekends); Percy Warner and Shelby are $8.50 for nine holes; the Vinny Links is $6 for adults, $3 for teenagers 17 and under. Percy Warner and Vinny Links are walking courses only. Call Metro Parks at 862-8400 for more information.
HARPETH HILLS 2424 Old Hickory Blvd. 862-8493 18 holes.
McCABE Murphy Rd. & 46th Ave. N. 862-8491 Three nine-hole courses.
TED RHODES 1901 Ed Temple Blvd. 862-8463 18 holes.
SHELBY South 2021 Fatherland St. 862-8474 18 holes.
TWO RIVERS 3150 McGavock Pk. 889-2675 18 holes.
PERCY WARNER 1221 Forrest Park Dr. 352-9958 Nine holes.
VINNY LINKS 2009 Sevier St. 880-1720 Nine holes.
Mountain Biking
BOWIE NATURE PARK Fairview. 799-5544 (See "Horseback Riding" for description.)
CEDARS OF LEBANON STATE PARK Lebanon. 443-2769 (See "State and National Parks" for description.)
CHEATHAM WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Ashland City. 792-4510. Directions: On south side of Cumberland River; entrance off Hwy. 250, four miles from Hwy. 49. No marked trails, but the forest itself is a good place to ride. Call to check hunting schedule before coming.
FALL CREEK FALLS STATE AREA 2009 Village Camp Rd., Pikeville. (423) 881-5241 (See "State and National Parks" for description.)
HAMILTON CREEK PARK 2901 Bell Rd. 862-8472 Park offers two challenging loops of about seven miles, both beginning near the marina.
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES 100 Van Morgan Dr., Golden Pond, Ky. (800) LBL-7077 Mountain bike trails include the popular Canal Loop and North and South Trails. (See "State and National Parks" for description.)
TEAM GREEN 4010 Church St. 242-5600 Nashville's outdoor adventure club. Hiking, climbing and biking activities scheduled throughout the year. Call for a schedule of events or visit www.teamgreenonline.com.
Rappelling
Below are some rappelling areas near Nashville. For more information and permits (usually required), call local outdoor shops.
ASHLAND CITY The bluffs off River Rd. provide numerous places for rappelling.
EAGLE'S NEST An abandoned rock quarry near Ruby Falls is very popular for sport rappelling. Take I-24 East to the Lookout Mountain exit. Follow signs to Ruby Falls. Park at the back of the Ruby Falls parking lot off Scenic Hwy. 148. To rappel with 10 or more people you must have a permit. Call Point Park at (423) 821-7786 before planning a trip.
OZONE FALLS Take 40 East past Crossville to the Crab Orchard exit. Follow Hwy. 70 East into Crab Orchard. Ozone Falls is just off the highway about three miles from the exit.
STONE DOOR Take I-24 East to the first Sewanee exit. Stay to the right. Go one mile and take a left toward Tracy City. Follow Hwy. 56 N. from Tracy City directly to Stone Door.
TOXIC WALL AT PERCY PRIEST DAM Named so before the massive clean-up effort, this is a potentially good wall for beginners, as it is only 15 to 20 feet high.
Swimming
Swimming in lakes, pools and ponds is available at the following state and national parks: Cedars of Lebanon, Edgar Evins, Fall Creek Falls, Henry Horton, the Bryant Grove area at Long Hunter, Land Between the Lakes and Montgomery Bell, as well as the Narrows of the Harpeth River area.
For Metro's public pools, see the "Metro Parks" section. In addition, swimming is available at the following public high schools:
GLENCLIFF HIGH SCHOOL POOL 160 Antioch Pk. 862-8470 (indoor)
PEARL-COHN HIGH SCHOOL POOL 904 26th Avenue N. 862-8471 (indoor)
WHITE'S CREEK HIGH SCHOOL POOL 7277 Old Hickory Blvd. 876-4300 (indoor)
State Parks and National Parks
Tennessee has some of the most varied and stunning scenery in the entire United States, and much of it is a short drive from Nashville. The following state and national parks and natural areas provide for almost every outdoor activity in every season. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (781-6500) provides general information on Tennessee wildlife, fishing and boating; wildlife, aquatic and environmental educational programs; and a sportsman's license that includes all permits. Also, www.tnstateparks.com has a comprehensive list of all state parks in Tennessee. Call (888) TN PARKS toll-free for general information. Visit the Web for the most updated information on visiting hours. All state parks can be accessed on the Web by entering www.state.tn.us/environment/parks.
BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA
4564 Leatherwood Rd., Oneida (423) 569-9778 or (423) 286-7275
The 113,000-acre site on the Tennessee/Kentucky border includes 150 miles of hiking trails and 130 miles of horse and mountain-biking trails. The park also offers fishing, white-water sports and backcountry camping. The terrain includes rock formations, rivers and waterfalls.
BLEDSOE CREEK STATE PARK
400 Zieglers Fort Rd., Gallatin 452-3706
A 164-acre site next to Old Hickory Lake (Bledsoe Creek). Three hiking trails along shoreline, bluffs and forested ridges form a 3.1-mile loop. Also has a one-mile handicap-accessible paved trail.
BURGESS FALLS STATE NATURAL AREA
Sparta (Directions: Tenn. 135 South from I-40's Exit 286 at Cookeville)
(931) 432-5312
Burgess Falls offers a combination of ecological, geological and historical features. Venture along the Falling River for a 3/4-mile hike that winds its way to the 130-foot waterfall. This state park offers great hiking trails, picnic area & shelter, playground facilities and amazing photo opportunities.
CEDARS OF LEBANON STATE PARK & FOREST
328 Cedar Forest Rd., Lebanon 443-2769
The largest eastern red-cedar forest in the country, the park features cedar glades—dry, rocky barrens between rows of cedars that are unique to Middle Tennessee. The 831-acre park includes eight miles of hiking trails, including the five-mile Hidden Springs Trail, 12 miles of horse trails, Jackson Cave, an "Olympic-plus" sized pool and the Cedar Forest Lodge.
DUNBAR CAVE STATE NATURAL AREA
401 Old Dunbar Cave Rd., Clarksville (931) 648-5526
A mineral-springs resort at the turn of the century, this natural area now offers diverse habitats for wildlife, a lake, a two-mile trail network, a visitor center, and tours of the cave during most of the year.
EDGAR EVINS STATE PARK
1630 Edgar Evins State Park Rd., Silver Point (931) 858-2446; (800) 250-8619
A 6,000-acre park featuring steep bluffs and high ridges on the Eastern Highland Rim at Center Hill Lake. Features fishing, boating (boats can be rented from the marina), picnicking and hiking on the Highland Rim Trail, a 1.5-mile loop around the lower Central Basin ridge and down to the lake, and the Jack Clayborne Trail's 3-mile and 8-mile loops.
FALL CREEK FALLS STATE AREA
2009 Village Camp Rd., Pikeville
(Directions: take I-40 East to Cookeville, right on 111 South at Exit 288, go 45 miles, entrance to the park is on the left on Hwy. 284) (423) 881-5241; (800) 250-8610
At 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. The park, (selected by Southern Living magazine as one of the five best state parks in the Southeast), has five other major waterfalls, plus 35 miles of hiking trails (two with overnight camping by permit only), a three-mile paved path, and bike trails. Trails include a beginner .2-mile trail, to the challenging 12- and 13-mile Cane Creek Lower Loop and Upper Loop. Fall Creek Falls Pool is a short but difficult descent toward the base of the falls. The park also offers golf, tennis, boating, fishing, an Olympic-sized pool, horseback riding, cabins, campsites and a 72-room inn. Reserve accommodations well in advance.
NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST STATE HISTORIC AREA
1825 Pilot Knobb Rd., Eva 38333
(Directions: take I-40 West to Exit 126, go north on Hwy. 641 for 15 miles to Camden and then turn right on Hwy. 70 West at the signal, follow signs) (731) 584-6356
Forty miles of trails, including the Polk Creek Wildflower Path and a strenuous 20-miler. Trails range from easy to difficult, with six varied distances. Hiking permits are required for longer trails. The park also includes the Tennessee River Folklife Center museum. Only open Friday-Sunday in the winter.
HENRY HORTON STATE PARK
4358 Nashville Hwy., Chapel Hill (Directions: take I-65 South to Columbia/Chapel Hill exit, go east on Hwy. 99 for 12 miles)
(931) 364-2222; (800) 250-8612
A 1,135-acre park on the Duck River, on the site of the estate of one of Tennessee's former governors. Hiking (two easy loops; the longer is 2.75 miles), swimming, golf, canoeing, trap and skeet shooting, and other activities. The parks also includes a 72-room inn and a restaurant.
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES
100 Van Morgan Dr., Golden Pond, Ky.
(Directions: Follow Route 12 through Clarksville to 79 West. Pick up maps at the visitor's center along The Trace) www2.lbl.org/lbl
(800) LBL-7077; (270) 924-2000
Located on the Tennessee/Kentucky border between Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River and Lake Barkley on the Cumberland River. This United Nations-designated International Biosphere Reserve and National Recreation Area features The Nature Station environmental education center; an elk and bison prairie; The Golden Pond Planetarium & Observatory; camping areas with hookups and showers; 200 miles of hiking trails; bike trails (mountain bike trails include Energy Lake and the Jenny Ridge); hunting; fishing; canoeing; horseback riding (including campground with stalls and scenic trails); a retreat center; and an off-highway all-terrain vehicle area. The Homeplace, a living-history museum and working 19th-century farm, hosts special events and festivals. Beware of hunters in hunting season.
LONG HUNTER STATE PARK
2910 Hobson Pk., Hermitage 37076
(Directions: take I-40 East to Mt. Juliet Exit 226-A, go south six miles to park entrance) 885-2422
A 2,400-acre park on the east side of Percy Priest Lake. Thirty miles of lakeshore, and 20 miles of hiking trails, including a two-mile paved trail around the adjacent Couchville Lake. Hike eight good trails on a Priest Lake peninsula, some short walks, or the six-mile overnight Volunteer Trail complete with campsites.
MONTGOMERY BELL STATE PARK
1020 Jackson Hill Rd., Burns (Directions: off U.S. 70 between White Bluff and Dickson)
797-9052
A 3,782-acre park in Dickson County featuring 20 miles of trails through forests, streams, lakes and historic sites linked to the region's iron industry and the founding of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The park also offers boating, fishing, golf, tennis, swimming, group campsites and backcountry camping shelters (permit required), plus a visitor center and picnic area.
NATCHEZ TRACE STATE PARK
24845 Natchez Trace Rd., Wildersville 38388 (Directions: I-40 West to Exit 116. Follow signs to park)
(731) 968-3742; (800)250-8616
A 7,000-acre park with forests and the sites of homesteads and graveyards dating from the 1830s; bike trails; and three large lakes featuring boating, fishing, rowing and paddle boats, and swimming.
OLD STONE FORT STATE ARCHEOLOGICAL PARK
732 Stone Fort Dr., Manchester 37855 (off U.S. 41)
(931) 723-5073
A prehistoric site located where the two forks of the Duck River cascade off the Highland Rim. Features a 2,000-year-old early Native American earthen wall, and three-mile trail loop through an old forest, along bluffs and past waterfalls.
THE PERIMETER TRAIL
Sewanee (Directions: follow Hwy. 64 to Old Cowan Hwy., park at Morgan's Steep, Lake Cheston, or just beyond the stables)
A series of paths following the bluff around The University of the South. The trail includes sections built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the '30s. For a brochure, write to the Sewanee Outing Club, The University of the South, Sewanee TN 37383.
RADNOR LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA
1160 Otter Creek Rd. 373-3467
Just seven miles from downtown Nashville, this 1,100-acre site tucks away a six-mile trail network, an 80-acre lake and dense forest at elevations up to 1,160 feet. Area known for its wildlife, especially birds. Trails range from the easy quarter-mile Spillway to the hilly and strenuous 1.5-mile Ganier Ridge. Otter Creek Rd., a paved road winding along the lakeshore, is closed to traffic on weekends, but open to bikers, skaters and dog walkers. All other trails are unpaved and no pets are allowed. Pick up a trail map at the Visitor Center at the Granny White end of Otter Creek Rd.
SOUTH CUMBERLAND STATE PARK
Route 1; Box 2196, Monteagle (Directions: Take I-24 East to Exit 134; take right off exit toward Monteagle; take left onto Hwy. 41; look for park on left) (931) 924-2980
Eight distinct park areas including 80 miles of trails, ranging from the 1.5-mile Greeter Trail to the 13-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail, plus overnight shelters. Call or write for great trail maps of Savage Gulf State Natural Area and Fiery Gizzard: South Cumberland State Recreation Area, Rte. 1, Box 2196, Monteagle TN 37356.
TENNESSEE BICENTENNIAL CAPITOL MALL STATE PARK
600 James Robertson Pkwy. 741-5280
A 19-acre state park and outdoor state history museum near downtown Nashville, with a 2,000-seat amphitheater, a 200-foot granite map of the state, a 1400-foot wall of history, fountains, a botanical garden and the adjacent Farmers Market.
VIRGIN FALLS POCKET WILDERNESS STATE NATURAL AREA
DeRossett, White County (Directions: I-40 East to second Sparta/Cookeville Exit; turn right on 136; take Hwy. 111 South; exit onto 70-E and follow through Sparta; turn right onto Eastland Rd.; look for signs for park) (423) 336-7205
Bowater Southern Paper Corporation set aside a portion of its Cumberland Plateau timberlands to form this natural area, which includes trails to the Virgin, Big Branch and Big Laurel Falls, and Sheep Cave, on a 7.7-mile loop along bluffs and gorges above the Caney Fork River. Overnight camping is permitted at the designated campsite.
Metro Parks
Many of Metro's athletic fields are lighted and are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. To reserve fields in parks with community centers, call the center directly. To reserve all other ball fields, call 862-8405. Metro golf courses each charge a little over $1 per hole. Club and cart rentals, where available, are additional. Pools: outdoor pools are open June-August. Indoor pools are open year-round. There are no fees for open swim; fees are charged for lessons. Metro's tennis courts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and most are lighted. All are free except for those at Centennial Sportsplex (862-8490). For more information about Nashville's parks, call 862-8400.
ALTA LAKE GREENWAY Dodson Chapel Rd. at Bell Rd. Greenway
ANTIOCH PARK 5023 Bluehill Rd.
BASS ParK 1604 Holly St.
ALVIN G. BEAMAN 4111 Little Marrowbone Rd.
BELLEVUE 656 Colice Jeanne Rd. 862-8435
BELLEVUE GREENWAY Morton Mill Rd. at Bay Cove Rd.
BELLS BEND 4107 Old Hickory Blvd.
BORDEAUX GARDEN Snell Rd. at Panorama Dr.
BORDEAUX TIMOTHY 4100 Timothy Dr.
BOYD-TAYLOR 3900 Clifton Ave.
OWEN BRADLEY Music Square E. at Division St.
BROOKMEADE park 7002 Charlotte Pk.
BUENA VISTA park 2301 MetroCenter Blvd.
CANE RIDGE 419 Battle Rd.
CEDAR HILL 860 Old Hickory Blvd. W.
CENTENNIAL PARK 2500 West End Ave.
CHARLOTTE 6031 Deal Ave.
CHURCH STREET 600 Church St.
CLEVELAND 925 North 6th St.
COCKRILL BEND 7265 Cockrill Bend
WILLIAM COLEMAN 384 Thompson Ln.
COMMERCE CENTER 120 3rd Ave. N.
C.R. CRAWFORD 13302 Old Hickory Blvd.
FANNIE MAE DEES 2400 Blakemore Ave.
FRED DOUGLAS 210 N. 7th St.
L. & R. DUDLEY 305 Chestnut St.
EAST 700 Woodland St.
EAST BANK GREENWAY 50 Titans Way.
EASTLAND 1501 Douglas Ave.
WILLIAM EDMONDSON 1700 Charlotte Ave.
ELIZABETH 1701 Arthur St. at 11th Ave. N.
ELMINGTON 3531 West End Ave.
EZELL ROAD 5135 Harding Pl.
CLINTON B. FISK 25th Ave. N. at Burch St.
FORT NEGLEY 534 Chestnut St.
GRANBERY 5501 Hill Rd.
GRASSMERE 3777 Nolensville Pk.
GREEN HILLS 1200 Lone Oak Rd.
HADLEY 1037 28th Ave. N.
HALL OF FAME 121 4th Ave. S.
HAMILTON CREEK 2901 Bell Rd.
HARPETH KNOLL Harpeth Knoll Rd. at Goodpasture Terrace.
HARPETH RIVER 7820 Coley Davis Rd.
RICHARD HARTMAN 2801 Tucker Rd. 254-6531
HEARTLAND PARK 3135 Heartland Dr.
HERMITAGE 3720 James Kay Ln.
H.G. HILL 6710 Charlotte Pk.
HILTON PARK 121 4th Ave. S.
HOPE GARDENS 1009 Phillips St.
JOELTON 021 Joelton Community Center Rd.
TOM JOY PARK 434 Joy Ave.
KIRKPATRICK 1000 Sevier St. at S. 9th St.
LITTON SCHOOL 4510 Gallatin Rd.
LOCK ONE 1530 Lock Rd.
LOCK TWO 2650 Lock Two Rd.
MADISON 510 N. DuPont Ave.
McCABE Murphy Rd. & 46th Avenue N.
McFERRIN 301 Berry St.
McKISSACK 28th Ave. N. at Torbett St.
MEMORIAL 1105 Chadwell Dr.
METRO CENTER LEVEE GREENWAY 766 Freeland's Station Rd.
MILDRED SHUTE MINI 77 Fain St.
MONROE STREET PLAYGROUND 11th Ave. N. at Monroe.
MORGAN 411 Hume St.
J.C. NAPIER 73 Fairfield Ave.
MILL CREEK GREENWAY 5023 Bluehole Rd.
DALLAS H. NEIL 8th Ave. N. at Wedgewood Ave.
CLINTON B. FISK Burch St. at 25th Ave. N.
OAKWOOD Oakwood Ave. at Bethwood Dr.
PARAGON MILLS 465 Benita Dr.
PARKWOOD 3220 Vailview Dr.
PARMER 578 Leake Ave.
E.N. PEELER 2043 Neely's Bend Rd.
WILLIAM A. PITTS 299 Tusculum Rd.
RESERVOIR 8th Ave. S. & Argyle Ave.
TED RHODES 1901 Ed Temple Blvd. 862-8463
RICHLAND 4601 Charlotte Pk.
RIVERFRONT PARK 100 1st Ave.
E.S. ROSE 1000 Edgehill Ave.
TONY ROSE Music Cir. E. & Hawkins St.
SEVENMILE CREEK Edmonson Pk. at Oakley Dr.
SEVEN OAKS School Ln. at McGavock Pk.
SEVIER Lealand Ln. at Clayton Ave.
SHELBY Shelby Ave. at 20th S.
SHELBY BOTTOMS GREENWAY 1400 Shelby Ave.
SOUTH INGLEWOOD 1624 Rebecca Ave.
ST. BERNARD'S PARK St. Bernard's School, 21st Ave. S.
STONES RIVER GREENWAY 1203 Stones River Rd.
THOMPSON LANE Thompson Ln. at Mill Creek.
TWO RIVERS 3150 McGavock Pk.
EDWIN WARNER 50 Vaughn Rd.
PERCY WARNER 2500 Old Hickory Blvd.
WATKINS 616 17th Ave. N.
WAVE COUNTRY Two Rivers Pkwy. at Briley Pkwy.
WEST 6105 Morrow Rd.
WHITES CREEK 7277 Old Hickory Blvd.
WILLIAM WHITFIELD Edmondson Pk. at Brewer
WILLOW CREEK 1821 Westchester Dr.
WOODMONT 912 Estes Rd.
