When Nashville wants a deep breath, it heads east to Long Hunter State Park, a Tennessee state park spread along the shores of J. Percy Priest Lake, where forest trails, rocky bluffs and calm water are all within an easy drive of downtown.
The park’s beloved Couchville Lake is a peaceful 110-acre lake ringed by a paved two-mile trail that is perfect for strollers, wheelchairs, fishing rods and first bike rides. Anglers cast from the pier, families picnic in the shade, and herons patrol the shoreline at dawn.
For a bigger adventure, the Volunteer Trail follows the lake for miles through cedar glades and hardwood forest, while shorter paths lead to sinkholes, wildflower meadows and quiet coves. Deer, wild turkeys and songbirds are regular companions along the way.
Long Hunter proves that in Music City, some of the sweetest music is made by wind in the trees and water lapping the shore — no ticket required, just a sunny day.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
