Trails Information
Hiking or walking along one of the trails around J. Percy Priest Lake is an enjoyable way to enjoy the outdoors in a natural setting.
The following is a list of trails around J. Percy Priest Lake.
- Three Hickories Nature Trail: This 1.6 mile long nature trail is located in a wooded area in Cook Recreation Area.
Directions: from downtown Nashville take 1-40 east 7 miles to exit 221B, right on Old Hickory Blvd., left on Bell Rd. (there are Corps directional signs from this point), right on New Hope Rd. 1 mile, right on Stewarts Ferry Pike, left on Old Hickory Blvd. 1 mile to Cook Recreation Area. The trail entrance is across from the amphitheater in the day use area. COMING SOON: An on-line interpretive guide to the Three Hickories Nature Trail.
NOTE: a $4.00 fee for Cook recreation area is charged during the recreation season.
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Anderson Road Fitness Trail: The trail is paved, more than a mile long and winds through a cedar glade area beside the lake.
Directions: from downtown Nashville take 1-40 east 5 miles to exit 219- Stewarts Ferry Pike, right on Stewarts Ferry Pike, straight on Bell Rd. 5 miles, left on Smith Springs Rd. 1 mile (there are Corps directional signs from this point), left on Anderson Rd. 1 mile. Turn left into the parking lot just past the entrance to the campground.
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Poole Knobs Archery Trail: The trail is 0.3 miles long and is designed with targets in the woods for archery practice. There is a small shelter and some archery targets at the entrance of the trail.
Directions: from downtown Nashville take 1-24 east, go 15 miles to exit 66B, right on Sam Ridley Parkway 3 miles, exit right on to Hwy. 41 North -Murfreesboro Road 1.5 miles, right on Fergus Rd. 2 miles (there are Corps directional signs from this point), right on Jones Mill Rd. 4 miles. The entrance is on the right near the shelter just before the road to the boat ramp.
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Twin Forks Horse Trail: Equestrians and hikers are welcome to use this 18 mile long trail that runs along the shoreline from Walter Hill Dam to Nices Mill Recreation Area. The best access to the trail is at East Fork Recreation Area.
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Directions to East Fork: from downtown Nashville take I-24/1-40 east to 1-24 east, go 19 miles to exit 70, left on Nissan Dr. 3 miles, left on 41 Murfreesboro Rd. 1.5 miles, left on George Franklin Rd., left on Sulphur Springs Rd., left on W. Buckeye Bottom Rd. 1.5 miles to intersection, left at intersection 1.5 miles.
Trails maintained by other agencies:
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Long Hunter State Park: The Lake Trail around Couchville Lake is hard surfaced, barrier free, and is a self-guided nature trail. The Nature Loop Trail and Inland Trail located at the Couchville Area, and the Point Trail at Bryant Grove, are popular short walks. The 4 mile long Bryant Grove Trail connects Bryant Grove to Couchville. The Deer Trail is 1 mile long and located behind the Visitor Center. At the Bakers Grove Primitive Area, there is a 4 mile Day Loop Trail and the 6 mile one-way Volunteer Trail. For more information visit the official Tennessee Long Hunter State Park website.
Directions to Long Hunter State Park Visitor Center: from downtown Nashville take 1-40 east 12 miles to exit 226A -Mt. Juliet Rd., right on Mt. Juliet Rd. 6.5 miles, left at Long Hunter State Park entrance sign.
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Hamilton Creek Recreation Area: Mountain bikers have 8.5 miles of trail to ride in this area managed by Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation. The 6-mile Pinnacle Trail is rated hard-intermediate to expert rider, and the 2.5 mile lakeside Trail is rated hard-beginner to intermediate rider. Please be sensitive to trails and do not ride when wet.
Directions: from downtown Nashville take 1-40 east 5 miles to exit 219 Stewarts Ferry Pike, right on Stewarts Ferry Pike, straight on Bell Rd. 3 miles, left at Hamilton Creek Park entrance sign. The trail is located at the end of the first road to the right.
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Stones River Greenway: Trail is operated by Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation. Trailhead begins below J. Percy Priest Dam and travels downstream, eventually linking up with other trails to downtown Nashville. Easy to moderate paved trail provides excellent walking, biking, and other forms of recreation, and provides access to Stones River.
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Directions: from downtown Nashville, take I-40 East 5 miles to exit 219 Stewarts ferry Pike, right on Stewarts Ferry Pike, left on Bell Road, left at Tailwater Left bank – trailhead is visible below J. Percy Priest Dam.