Nashville has ten state parks within 50 miles, and three of the closest point in three directions. Long Hunter, east in Hermitage, covers 2,670 acres on the shore of Percy Priest Lake. Harpeth River, west toward Kingston Springs, follows a winding river past bluffs, a 1930s quarry resort and a mound site more than 600 years old. Bledsoe Creek, northeast near Gallatin, is a small lakeshore park on Old Hickory Lake named for two long hunters. This is the outdoor half of the day. The eating half is at the end: one table on the way back from each park.
We run State Park Near Me, a directory of every state park in the country, and we are a guest here. Top of Nashville asked for the parks. They supplied the restaurants.
The day, in order
None of these three park pages lists an entrance fee, so the cost of the day is gas and lunch. Mind the clock: Long Hunter’s day-use areas run 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. under daylight saving time and close at 5 p.m. under standard time, and Bledsoe Creek moves to winter hours in mid-November. Harpeth River is not one gate but a string of access points along the river, so put the specific one in your map, such as the Narrows of the Harpeth or Hidden Lake.
Long Hunter
The park spreads over 2,670 acres on the shore of Percy Priest Lake, with hiking, swimming, picnicking and a beach, plus wheelchair-friendly paved trails. Baker’s Grove is the historic corner of the park, reached on the Volunteer and Day Loop trails. Day-use areas are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. under daylight saving time and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. under standard time; the visitor center is open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closes for lunch from noon to 1. One thing is closed: the boat house and fishing pier, shut until further notice for safety.
Harpeth River
Harpeth River is 650 acres strung along the river rather than one park, so you choose an access point. The Narrows of the Harpeth has a bluff overlook; Hidden Lake is a former quarry turned into a resort in the 1930s; the Gossett Tract has a two-mile loop through open fields for birders. Mound Bottom, a political and religious center between 800 and 1350 CE, is closed to the public except on ranger-led tours booked through the park office. Paddling is the main event, but boating access closes when the river reaches 5 feet. The Bluff Trail at the Narrows and the Ridge Loop at Hidden Lake have steep drop-offs, and swimming or climbing at the Montgomery Bell Tunnel pool is prohibited.
Bledsoe Creek
The smallest of the three at 169 acres, on the shore of Old Hickory Lake, and named after Anthony and Isaac Bledsoe, local long hunters. An observation boardwalk, the Birdsong Trail and the Shoreline Trail look over a protected wetland; watch for deer, turkeys, turtles and songbirds. The High Ridge Trail has steep stairs, and the Shoreline, Mayo Wix and Birdsong trails can close when they flood. Paddle rentals and a Story Book Trail make it an easy park for children. Summer hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., run until mid-November, when the park switches to winter hours.
The full list
Directions, maps and the official site for each of these, plus the other seven state parks within 50 miles, are on our side. The state parks near Nashville page on State Park Near Me lists all ten, closest first, with a page for every park.
Where to eat after
The parks sit in three directions, so here is one table on the way back from each, from three Top of Nashville lists: East Nashville, pho and cheap eats. The scores are theirs, not ours.
Noko Nashville
Insider Score8.5
Japanese · East Nashville
After Long Hunter, in East Nashville on the way back in. Omakase-forward Japanese; the hamachi crudo and spicy tuna crispy rice are the standouts. Reservations book out, so walk-ins should arrive before the doors open.
VN Pho & Deli
Insider Score7.9
Vietnamese · Nashville
After Harpeth River, on the west side on the drive back. Cash only and counter service; the pho tai with rare beef in a clean, well-seasoned broth is the order.
Five Points Pizza
Insider Score7.8
Pizza · East Nashville
After Bledsoe Creek, in East Nashville at the end of the drive down from Gallatin. New York-style slices since 2011; the margherita and pepperoni are the reliable orders, and it takes walk-ins.
Scores are Top of Nashville Insider Scores. Restaurant photographs from Yelp and Tripadvisor.
Sources. Tennessee State Parks pages for Long Hunter, Harpeth River and Bledsoe Creek state parks, including their hours, alerts and safety notes, checked October 21, 2026. Distances are straight-line from the Nashville town center, from State Park Near Me. Restaurant scores and notes from the Top of Nashville East Nashville, pho and cheap eats guides, October 2026. Top photo: Couchville Lake at Long Hunter State Park by Brian Stansberry, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0; park photo credits are under each photo.
State Park Near Me writes for State Park Near Me. State Park Near Me lists every state park, historic site, beach and recreation area in the United States, with directions and the nearest other parks. Every park page links to the park's official site. This piece was written for Top of Nashville.