State Park
Harpeth River State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- reserve.tnstateparks.com(615) 952-2099
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Cheatham County, about 9 miles southwest of Ashland City, Harpeth River State Park covers about 506 acres.
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, fishing, and hiking.
Pets
Camping policy: 'Pets are allowed, but must be on a leash or under physical control at all times.' Pet-friendly cabins are limited with a per-pet nightly charge (cabin pet policy on cabin reservation pages).
Statewide rule from Tennessee's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Tennessee State Parks reservation site (itinio platform) for camping, cabins, shelters, programs; some lodges/cabins via reseze.net; golf via foreUP
- Phone
- 1-888-867-2757 (888-TNPARKS)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
FishingCanoeing and kayakingHiking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluebird Trail | 0.45 mi | Easy | The Bluebird Trail is one of the storybook routes that can be enjoyed at the park. This loop begins at the parking lot and trailhead and allows hikers to explore Ridge Loop, Hidden Lake, and Railroad Spur Trails.HikeNatural surface |
| Bluff Trail | 0.25 mi | Moderate | The Bluff Trail is a quarter-mile overlook trail that includes a steep ascent to a narrow bluff offering hikers a panoramic view of the Harpeth Valley.HikeNatural surface |
| Harpeth River Blueway | — | — | No dogsPaddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Coley-Davis Access to Newsom Mill | 4.8 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Gossett Tract to Narrows of the Harpeth | 2.3 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Hidden Lake to Hwy 249 Access | 8.95 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Hwy 100 Access to Coley-Davis Access | 4.75 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Hwy 249 Access to Kingston Springs Access | 4 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Hwy 70 Access to Gossett Tract | 1.8 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Kingston Springs Access to Hwy 70 Access | 4.5 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Narrows of the Harpeth to Harris-Street Bridge | 5.45 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harpeth River Blueway - Newsom Mill to Hidden Lake | 2.9 mi | — | Paddle |
| Harris-Street Bridge Trail | 0.35 mi | Easy | The Harris-Street Bridge Trail is a 0.35-mile trail that connects the canoe launch area to the canoe take-out parking area at the Harris Street Bridge Access Area.HikeNatural surface |
| Hidden Lake Trail | 0.25 mi | Moderate | The Hidden Lake Trail is a quarter-mile offshoot of the Ridge Loop Trail, which runs along the park's majestic bluffs to its namesake, Hidden Lake.HikeNatural surface |
| Lower Field Loop Trail | 0.4 mi | Easy | Lower Field Loop Trail is just under half a mile long and follows the Harpeth River. It starts at the bottom of the bluffs.HikeNatural surface |
| Lower Loop Trail | 1 mi | Easy | The Lower Loop Trail is a one-mile trail that winds along the river, providing a glimpse of the Mound Bottom Archaeological Site. This trail is one of only two ways to get the the Paw Paw Trail.HikeNatural surface |
| Newsom Mill Fisherman Trail | 2.45 mi | Easy | HikeNatural surface |
| Paw Paw Trail | 0.4 mi | — | The Paw Paw Trail is just under half a mile long, located with the Upper and Lower Loop Trails, and features views of wildflowers.HikeNatural surface |
| Railroad Spur Trail | 0.15 mi | — | The Railroad Spur Trail is another offshoot of the Ridge Loop Trail. This trail travels towards the railroad, where the remains of an old marble dance floor are the only pieces left of a 1940s resort that once stood there.HikeNatural surface |
| Ridge Loop Trail | 1.15 mi | Moderate | The Ridge Loop Trail encompasses much of the Hidden Lake area in Harpeth River State Park, featuring limestone bluffs, historic landmarks, and plenty of birding opportunities.HikeNatural surface |
| Storybook Trail | 0.4 mi | Easy | The Storybook Trail begins at the parking area and joins the last 0.10 mile of the Lower Loop Trail before returning to the parking lot.HikeNatural surface |
| Tunnel Trail | 0.2 mi | Easy | The Tunnel Trail is a quarter-mile trail along the backside of the limestone bluff that leads to the site of Montgomery Bell's Pattison Forge, where a small waterfall is all that remains of the iron forge operation.HikeNatural surface |
| Upper Loop Trail | 0.55 mi | Easy | The Upper Loop Trail is a fitness trail with a length of 0.55 miles.HikeNatural surface |
Getting there
- Nearest town
- Ashland City — about 9 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.1515, -87.1172
- Phone
- (615) 952-2099
- State.Parks@tn.gov
Nearby state parks
Montgomery Bell State Park
10 mi west (straight line)
Radnor Lake State Park18.2 mi east (straight line)
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park18.5 mi east (straight line)
Port Royal State Historic Park27.8 mi north (straight line)
Dunbar Cave State Park29.5 mi north (straight line)
Long Hunter State Park31.6 mi east (straight line)
Devil's Backbone State Park41 mi southwest (straight line)
Cedars of Lebanon State Park44.1 mi east (straight line)
Sources and freshness
- Tennessee State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TDEC Bureau of Conservation 'State Park Boundaries Primary' public ArcGIS view
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology