Natural Areas in Nashville and Middle Tennessee

Natural areas are the perfect way to rejuvenate and relax. In Nashville and Middle Tennessee, you'll find some of the most stunning natural gems in the world. Here are some of the natural areas that can be found in the wonderful outdoors of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Radnor Lake State Park is a 1,368-acre park that is classified as a Class II Natural Area in Nashville, TN. It's a great place to see owls, herons, and other waterfowl, as well as a variety of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals including mink and otter. Throughout the year, ranger-led activities such as canoe floats, wildflower walks, astronomy night hikes, and nature hikes are organized.

Radnor Lake Park and State Natural Area are the first State Park to be given the designation of Natural Area in the State of Tennessee.

Hill Forest State Natural Area

Because of its high-quality forest ecosystems, the Hill Forest was classified as the 81st state natural area in 2010. With oak and hickory species, walnut, tulip poplar, and other species believed to be well over 200 years old, the forest is notable for its old-growth component. It will continue to be a wildlife refuge, including an ecological island for neotropical migrating bird species, in addition to the Warner Parks.

Taylor Hollow

Taylor Hollow is a 173-acre natural area managed by The Nature Conservancy in Sumner County, on the Western Highland Rim. It's one of the last few regions in Middle Tennessee that hasn't been significantly damaged by human activity. Narrow winding ridges divide the natural environment, which is divided by steep V-shaped valleys that descend 200-300 feet from the crest.

Beaman Park State Natural Area

Beaman Park is a 1,678-acre natural area located 15 miles from downtown Nashville near Joelton in northern Davidson County. The topography is characterized by hills and hollows that sustain forest vegetation typical of the Western Highland Rim. Patches of post oak forests with native perennial grasses in the herbaceous layer are created by outcroppings of shale and siltstones.

Stones River Cedar Glade

The majority of Stones River State Natural Area consists of an open stretch of limestone outcroppings with relatively shallow soils. Stones River State Natural Area is three miles northwest of Murfreesboro, near the Stones River National Battlefield visitor center on Old Nashville Pike.

Wilson School Road Forest & Cedar Glades State Natural Area

Wilson School Road Forest and Cedar Glades is a 58-acre natural area in Marshall County's northeastern corner. The limestone cedar glades in this natural region have a wet-weather conveyance. Dry eastern red cedar-blue ash forests surround the glades. There are three rare plants known from this site including running glade clover, Carolina anemone, and glade cress.

Lost Creek

The Cumberland Plateau's western edge is home to Lost Creek State Natural Area. The picturesque Lost Creek Falls in White County is a scenic gem. The stunning entrance to Lost Creek Cave is located on the opposite side of this enormous dip. Lost Creek State Natural Area is located on the Cumberland Plateau, which serves as a transition between the Plateau's harder sandstones and the Highland Rim's more soluble limestones. 

The Middle Tennessee area has a lot of public parks and other recreational areas for your enjoyment that is well taken care of by communities and the state. Thinking of buying a home in Nashville and Middle Tennessee with convenient access to natural parks and places for outdoor recreation? Call at (615) 930-0313, schedule a call with me, or send me a message!

Resource: Natural Areas - Middle Region by the Tennessee Department of Conservation