May 4 is the 50th anniversary of the Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1971 , a piece of legislation protecting Tennessee’s 85 natural areas .
But first, what is a natural area? Chances are you’ve been to one, as there are 5 state natural areas + 6 natural area parks in Nashville – and many others in surrounding counties. These areas are home to some of Tennessee’s rarest species + span nearly 130,000 acres of forests, glades, grasslands, and scenic vistas .
To celebrate this milestone, Tennessee State Parks
will host guided hikes on May 1
, where residents can explore natural areas like Radnor Lake
, Couchville Cedar Glade
, and Montgomery Bell State Park
. But for those who want to hit the trail or go fishing on your own time, consider this your guide. 🎣
Radnor Lake State Natural Area , 1160 Otter Creek Rd.
- 1,367-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed on paved surfaces
- Hunting, fishing + camping prohibited
Hill Forest State Natural Area , off Hwy. 100, across from Edwin Warner Park
- 225-acre natural area
- Limited access with permission from Warner Parks
- Dogs not allowed
- Hunting, fishing + camping prohibited
Bells Bend Park , 4187 Old Hickory Blvd.
- 808-acre park and natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Fishing + camping allowed
Beaman Park State Natural Area , 5911 Old Hickory Blvd.
- 1,678-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Hunting, fishing + camping prohibited
Montgomery Bell State Natural Area , 1020 Jackson Hill Rd., Burns
- 1,086-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Fishing + camping allowed
John Noel at Bon Aqua State Natural Area , 9400 Co Hwy. 952
- 35-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Hunting, fishing + camping prohibited
Hamilton Creek Park , 2901 Bell Rd.
- 790-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Fishing allowed
Peeler Park , 2043 Neely’s Bend Rd.
- 600-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
Shelby Bottoms , 1900 Davidson St.
- 960-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Fishing allowed
Warner Parks , 1225 Belle Meade Blvd.
- 3,100-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Fishing allowed
Mount View Glade State Natural Area , 5704 Tru Long Dr.
- 9-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Hunting, fishing + camping prohibited
Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area , Tyler Sykes Trail, Hermitage
- 140-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Hunting, fishing + camping prohibited
Vesta Cedar Glade , Moccasin Rd., Lebanon
- 150-acre natural area
- Open to the public with trail access
- Dogs allowed
- Hunting, fishing + camping prohibited
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