Nashville To Nature: Great State Park Trips

With world-class music, incredible nightlife and a mouthwatering culinary scene, Nashville is the siren call of all city lovers. However, even the biggest city slickers need time to escape the bustling metropolitan lifestyle and relax, unwind and recharge. Culture Trip’s local insiders recommend their favorite spots for getting back to nature.

1. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

Park

State capitol building from the Bicentennial Mall, Nashville

If you’re not ready to take head out of the city, let nature come to you – at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Downtown Nashville. Enjoy a sunny stroll through this 11-acre (4.5ha) urban park, while surrounded by gorgeous city views. Bicentennial Capitol Mall is also home to a World War II Memorial, a 200ft (61m) map of Tennessee and other historical sites that attract travelers looking to soak up some Tennessee history, as well as some warm Southern rays. Recommended by local insider Chaney Curd

2. Booker T Washington State Park

Park

For a quick getawa with jaw-dropping scenery and outdoor activities for all ages, visit the shores of Chickamauga Lake, where you’ll find the 353-acre (143ha) Booker T Washington State Park. A water enthusiast’s dream, this state park offers boat rentals and year-round fishing, as well as challenging bike trails and leisurely hiking paths. The mountain bike trails, which wind around 6mi (10km) of sparkling lakes and unspoiled nature, are some of the area’s top under-the-radar attractions. Recommended by local insider Chaney Curd

3. Montgomery Bell State Park

Natural Feature

Dam and Waterfall at Montgomery Bell State Park, Dickson, Tennessee - a short drive west of Nashville. White rushing water and peak fall foliage.

If you long for a day traversing the great outdoors but want to be back in the city for supper, Montgomery Bell State Park is the perfect spot. It’s close enough to Nashville that you don’t have to change accommodations, and the park offers serene biking and hiking trails, as well as fishing, kayaking and an 18-hole golf course. If you do want to spend the weekend tackling the park’s 19mi (31km) of trails, you’ll find a campground, modern cabins and hotel-style accommodations onsite. Recommended by local insider Erica Commisso

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.