Trails are important to our communities for many reasons. Not only do they provide environmental and recreational benefits, but also economic, transportation, and health benefits. In Tennessee, we’re lucky to have thousands of miles of trails to explore, from scenic footpaths in the Great Smoky Mountains to historic lands in West Tennessee. Through the support of its members, TennGreen Land Conservancy has protected many properties for parks and trails over the years. Below are ten of our favorite TennGreen-conserved trail properties benefiting people and wildlife across the state and beyond!
- Beaman Park (Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee): In 2013, TennGreen Land Conservancy assisted in a 13-acre expansion of Beaman Park State Natural Area. The South Fork of the 12-mile Laurel Woods Loop Trail runs along Long Hollow Creek, adjacent to the property previously acquired by TennGreen and partners for the park expansion.
- Cumberland Trail – Black Mountain Section (Crab Orchard, Cumberland County, Tennessee): One of TennGreen Land Conservancy’s earliest projects was the conservation of 2,900-foot-tall Black Mountain on the Cumberland Plateau. This 518-acre property, comprised of high bluffs, wildflowers, and historic ruins, was donated to TennGreen Land Conservancy to expand Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park. The 2.1-mile Black Mountain Crest Loop Trail provides scenic views and walks through tall rocks.
- Cumberland Trail – Piney River Section (Spring City, Rhea County, Tennessee): In 2021, TennGreen Land Conservancy and partners acquired 358 acres along the Piney River near Spring City. This acquisition conserved significant forested habitat and connected Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park and Piney Falls State Natural Area. Nearly two miles of the Piney River trail section of the Cumberland Trail runs along the recently conserved property.
- Cummins Falls (Cookeville, Jackson County, Tennessee): Arguably one of TennGreen Land Conservancy’s most iconic acquisitions, Cummins Falls State Park has become a hiking hotspot in Tennessee. TennGreen Land Conservancy acquired Cummins Falls at auction in 2011 and conveyed the property to the State to establish it as Tennessee’s 54th state park. Due to the rugged terrain and the danger of flooding, you must secure a permit to access the Downstream Trail that runs through the gorge to the base of the waterfall. However, the park has additional trails, the Waterfall Overlook Trail (0.4 miles), Upstream Trail (0.5 miles), and Delia Bell Meadow Trail (3.0 miles) that don’t require a permit.
- Eagle Pass Trail (Ashland City, Cheatham County, Tennessee). The Eagle Pass Trail was purchased by TennGreen Land Conservancy in 2000 and expanded with another acquisition in 2011. The Eagle Pass trail segment provides a great spur to the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail, which offers over six miles of hiking and bike trails along the scenic Cumberland River.
- Fiery Gizzard (Tracy City, Marion County, Tennessee): In 2021, TennGreen Land Conservancy and partners expanded the Fiery Gizzard section of South Cumberland State Park. Ranked as one of the top 25 trails in the country by Backpacker Magazine, the Fiery Gizzard Trail winds a significant and challenging route through panoramic overlooks, verdant woods, and beautiful streams. A two-mile hike from the parking lot at Foster Falls will bring you to the view of the “Castle” tract acquired by TennGreen Land Conservancy and partners—now part of the park.
- Joy Gleghorn Nature Preserve at Wells Hill Park (Fayetteville, Lincoln County, Tennessee): In 2012, TennGreen Land Conservancy was alerted to the sale of Wells Hill Park, a 114-acre property owned by the City of Fayetteville. The Gleghorn family purchased the property at auction and generously maintained public access to the land for approximately five years. In 2016, Charles Gleghorn donated the land to TennGreen Land Conservancy to establish it as the Joy Gleghorn Nature Preserve at Wells Hill Park—named in honor of his late wife, Joy. TennGreen Land Conservancy holds a conservation easement on the property, which is now managed as a county park. From the parking area of Wells Hill Road, you can visit two waterfalls via an approximately three-mile in-and-back trail system.
- Stillhouse Hollow Falls (Mount Pleasant, Maury County, Tennessee): Through a collaborative effort, TennGreen Land Conservancy acquired the ~90-acre property known as Stillhouse Hollow Falls in 2004. Named after its most significant feature, Stillhouse Hollow Falls was designated as a State Natural Area in 2006. A short, loop trail will take you through the property to view the 75-foot waterfall.
- Virgin Falls (Sparta, White County, Tennessee): Considered a strenuous but worthwhile hike, the 8.7-mile Virgin Falls Trail snakes through the 1,157-acre Virgin Falls State Natural Area. Formed by an underground stream, Virgin Falls emerges from a cave and drops over a 110-foot cliff before disappearing into another cave at the bottom of the falls. TennGreen Land Conservancy assisted with the permanent protection of Virgin Falls in 2012. In 2018, the organization and its partners acquired the adjacent Dry Creek Headwaters property, which provides additional access to Virgin Falls from Rylander Cascades.
- Big River Park (Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas): Located across Big River Crossing—the longest pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River—the approximately 1,500-acre Big River Park will lie along the western bank of the Mississippi River, across from downtown Memphis. This area has been a property of conservation interest for TennGreen Land Conservancy and partners since 2019 and contains seven miles of biking and walking trails with a one-of-a-kind view of the Memphis skyline. TennGreen Land Conservancy is currently assisting in the purchase, restoration, and protection of Big River Park to ensure the future of the land as a destination park and nature preserve.
Tennessee has so many amazing trails for you to get outside and explore! Trail properties, like the TennGreen-conserved lands highlighted above, provide countless benefits to our health and well-being, our state’s wildlife, and so much more. With your support, we can continue protecting important natural areas for parks and trails in the southeast!