Hiking with kids isn’t just about fresh air and exercise — it’s about adventure, discovery, and maybe even a little bit of mud. Luckily, Middle Tennessee is packed with family-friendly trails. Little legs can roam, curious minds can explore, and parents can soak up the beauty of nature (while possibly bribing for just one more mile with snacks). Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or a mini wilderness trek, there’s a perfect trail waiting for your crew! Clear your schedule (and your mind) by hiking with kids in-tow. Read on for gorgeous hiking opportunities in the Middle Tennessee area. Happy hiking!
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Middle Tennessee Hiking With Kids
Beaman Park Nature Center
5911 Old Hickory Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37015
615-862-8580
The Henry Hollow Loop (2.5 miles) can be followed nice and slowly or even at a fast pace. Part of the loop runs along Henry creek. Trails are designed in a web so you can decide what you want to do. Make it as hard or as easy as you wish, and it’s pet-friendly, too.
Bledsoe Creek State Park
400 Zieglers Fort Road
Gallatin, TN 37066
615-452-3706
The Shoreline trail is the easiest for hiking with kids. This is 2.1 miles in natural environs. It links up to the High Ridge Trail and Mayo Wix Trail and forms a loop around the park. Don’t overlook the Reading Ranger Story Trail, which is a half-mile paved loop accessed from the Visitor Center.
Bowie Nature Park
7211 Bowie Lake Road
Fairview, TN 37062
615-799-5544
Open Mon – Sat from 9 a.m – 4 p.m. The Bowie Park Permiter Trail is very easy but 4.7 miles long. The Lakes of Bowie Loop Trail is 2.6 easy miles and features a lake. Horeshoe Trail is 1.5 mile of loop trail good for all. Dogs must be leashed.
More Easy Trails
Harpeth River State Park
1640 Cedar Hill Road
Kingston Springs, TN 37082
615-952-2099
Three trails begin at a common trailhead near the park’s entrance. Stick to the Gossett Tract Trail — one is a one-mile trail circling a meadow. Hidden Lake Trail also has a one-mile hike through a meadow. There’s another trail that’s a half-mile through a forest and along bluffs to a small lake.
Long Hunter State Park
2910 Hobson Pike
Hermitage, TN 37076
615-885-2422
The lovely state park just east of Nashville has trails for young ones. These include the paved two-mile Couchville Lake Loop Trail. This trail goes around the lake amid scenery and more.
Montgomery Bell State Park
1000 Hotel Ave.
Burns, TN 37029
615-797-9052
The popular destination has numerous trails, all either easy or moderate. A family favorite is Creech Hollow Trail at just under three miles, featuring a lake. Access the trail from the Montgomery Bell trailhead. Other trails good for kids include Jim Bailey Nature Trail (half-mile) and Creech Hollow Lake.
Radnor Lake State Park
1160 Otter Creek Road
Nashville, TN 37220
615-373-3467
A popular hiking area in Nashville. Radnor Lake Trail (partly paved, partly wooded) is terrific. Kids will love grabbing a peek of turtles sunning on exposed lake branches, wildlife and shade. More difficult but beautiful trails are also accessible.
Shelby Bottoms Greenway
1900 Davidson St.
Nashville, TN 37216
615-862-8539
The East Loop Trail is a paved and popular trail with flat shady spots. Venture a little off trail onto other day trails and back amid wildlife and wildflowers. Part of the city’s Greenway system.
The Warner Parks’ Nature Center
7311 Highway 100
Nashville, TN 37221
615-862-8555
Edwin and Percy Warner Parks are known as “The Warner Parks.” Between them, there are plenty of friendly trails for families to explore. Stop at the Nature Center (open Tue – Sat 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to pick up a map of the assorted trails. Trails are open from daybreak until the parks close at 11 p.m. The main trailhead for Edwin Warner Park is located on the Nature Center grounds. The Hungry Hawk Trail is a third of a mile and rated easy. Little Acorn Trail is a 150-yard loop including five stops just for children ages 6 and younger. Percy Warner’s two trails (Warner Woods Trail and Mossy Ridge Trail) are located at the Deep Well picnic area off Highway 100. Both are moderate, so you may want to work your way up to that.
Wilderness Station
697 Veteran’s Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
615-217-3017
Mon – Sat 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 – 8 p.m. Wilderness Station has five miles of hiking trails which start from the station. These include the TreeMendous Tree Trail (the first half-mile of the paved trail with stations marked by numbers. And the Sensory Trail, a one-mile loop known as Rocky Path Trail including three stations for simply engaging your senses.
