Guest post by John Williams
John Williams is an outdoor living expert and explorer. When he’s not traveling to nature’s most well known beauty spots, he tends to the greenery surrounding his home.
Whether you are a year-round resident or simply passing by, Sumner County, Tennessee, is home to some of the best scenic small towns in Tennessee making it a great place to enjoy the outdoors. This area, with beautiful scenery and friendly locals, is rich in history, culture, and adventure. No matter your style or preferred method of relaxation, Sumner TN has plenty to offer any kind of outdoor enthusiast.
Old Hickory Lake
Photo courtesy of Phillip Colling
Old Hickory Lake, a reservoir formed by the Old Hickory Lock and Dam, is one of Sumner’s best kept secrets. This lake is home to eight marinas, two campgrounds, and over forty boat access sites. You can take a paddle or drop a fishing line on any given day, and you’re also likely to spot one of the lake’s abundant wildlife species. Or, if you’re looking to learn a bit more about nature while you’re here, you can pay a visit to the Old Hickory Lake Arboretum. This 23-acre environmental study area is home to over 60 species of shrubs and trees and is well-managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Bledsoe Creek State Park
If you are simply looking to enjoy the great outdoors, Bledsoe Creek State Park has everything you might want. This park, a former hunting ground for Cherokee, Creek, Shawnee and Chickamauga tribes, now features a whopping 57 campsites, six miles of year-round hiking trails including a gorgeous waterfront trail, and more.
Mary's Magical Place
Conveniently located next to the city’s inline hockey rinks, Mary’s Magical Place is a playground for the young and young at heart. Designed to be a place where people “can gather and play regardless of abilities,” this park is inclusive for those with disabilities and includes accessible features like easy transition swings, wheelchair swings, roller slides, and more.
Bottom View Farm
No matter your age, Bottom View Farm is a must-visit spot for an agritourist. This working farm welcomes tours, and offers a variety of events. Seasonal hay rides, pumpkin patch visits, and tractor-train rides are just a few fun outdoor activities offered here. The farm also sells fresh produce, such as strawberries and blueberries, and allows families to interact with its live animals.
Memorial Park Dog Park
Memorial Park is a great place to bring your four-legged friend. As a relatively new park, opened in 2004, this park features two separate areas to divide smaller and larger dogs. There are plenty of benches and dog water fountains, as well as a small playground.
Meadowbrook Skate Park
In Portland, Tennessee, Meadowbrook Skate Park is a phenomenal venue for the more adventurous at heart. This 6,000 square foot modular facility features eight obstacles, as well as a round grind rail, a quarter pipe, a skate table, and grind box. The park also has two skate benches and a bank to bank with grind ledge. Bikes are allowed all day every weekday, as well as for several hours on the weekend.
Station Camp Creek Greenway
Station Camp Creek Greenway is a must-visit spot for any hikers or trail runners. This year-round trail is only about 4.1 miles out and back, and serves as a nice, easily accessible lope. As a scenic walking trail, this route is also dog-friendly.
Richland Park Mountain Bike Trail
To get your heart pumping while you are reconvening with nature, pay a visit to the Richland Park Mountain Bike Trail. This spot is open from 7am until dusk, and provides an all-natural surface to hikers and bikers alike. As a multi-use trail, it has multiple offshoots and entry points to make accessing and enjoying it just a little bit easier.
Next time you find yourself in Sumner, make sure you pay a visit to one of these fantastic outdoor spots. Better yet? Stop to spend a weekend and enjoy them all.