Metro Parks runs 99-plus miles of paved greenways, four nature centers and 3,100 acres of Warner Parks. Hours, dog parks, trail rules and who to call: 615-862-8400.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts on this page come from Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation: its main page, greenways, maps and trails, trail rules, nature centers and dog parks pages.
Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation runs more than 99 miles of paved greenways, four nature centers and the 3,100-plus acres of the Warner Parks, along with community centers, pools, golf courses and the Centennial Sportsplex. Use Metro’s Park Finder to search by activity or neighborhood. Questions: Parks headquarters, 615-862-8400.
Who to call
- Metro Parks headquarters: 615-862-8400, 2565 Park Plaza
- Warner Park Nature Center: 615-862-8555, 7311 Highway 100
- Shelby Bottoms Nature Center: 615-862-8539, 1900 Davidson St.
- Beaman Park Nature Center: 615-862-8580, 5911 Old Hickory Blvd.
- Bells Bend Outdoor Center: 615-862-4187, 4187 Old Hickory Blvd.
Heads-up: the north side of Centennial Park is closed for Phase 3 renovations through fall 2026; see Metro’s construction page.
Greenways
Nashville’s greenways follow its eight major waterways: the Cumberland River, Stones River, Mill Creek, Seven Mile Creek, Browns Creek, Whites Creek, Richland Creek and the Harpeth River. Downtown greenways are part of a planned 23-mile urban loop. Metro’s goal is a trail within one mile of every community.
Counting state-maintained trails, Metro says Davidson County has more than 300 miles of trails. The friends group Greenways for Nashville keeps the full map catalog, and Metro’s NashGR app has maps on your phone. B-cycle bike rental kiosks stand at 16 greenway trailheads.
Trail rules (posted at every greenway):
- Open daily dawn to dusk
- Paved trails are two-way and shared; no motorized vehicles
- Top speed 15 mph; keep right, pass on the left and call out when passing
- Bicyclists and skaters yield to people on foot
- Dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet
- Stay on marked trails and use the trash cans at trailheads
The big nature parks
| Park | What’s there | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Warner Parks (Percy Warner, Edwin Warner, Burch Reserve) | More than 3,100 acres, paved and primitive trails, nature center, golf; open sunrise to 11 p.m. daily | Warner Park Nature Center, 7311 Highway 100, 615-862-8555; open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday |
| Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area | 960 acres in East Nashville with about three miles of Cumberland River frontage, wetlands and forest | 1900 Davidson St.; second trailhead at 2032 Forrest Green Drive; 615-862-8539 |
| Beaman Park | Rugged Highland Rim forest near Joelton with steep hollows, streams and waterfalls | 5911 Old Hickory Blvd., 615-862-8580 |
| Bells Bend Park | Pastoral land in a bend of the Cumberland River in the Scottsboro area | 4187 Old Hickory Blvd., 615-862-4187 |
The nature centers are open year-round and run free programs, hikes and field trips. See the programs and events calendar.
Dog parks
Leashed dogs are welcome in every Metro park. Off-leash play is for fenced dog parks, open dawn to dusk:
- Centennial large and small, 2500 West End Ave. (Flag Pole Hill)
- Fair large and small, 300 Raines Ave.
- Ascend, 200 First Ave. S.
- Third Avenue large and small, 1616 Third Ave. N.
- One Mile, 300 Connare Drive
- Pitts, 299 Tusculum Road
- Two Rivers, 3150 McGavock Pike
- Shelby, Shelby Avenue at South 20th Street
- Stones River at Percy Priest Dam, 3778 Bell Road
- Warner, Edwin Warner Park, 50 Vaughn Road
- Frankie Pierce
Rules: current rabies and ID tags, a leash in hand for every dog, no more than two dogs per person, no children under 10 inside the fence, no puppies under four months, no food or glass.
What this means for you
- New to the city? Start at a nature center: staff there have trail maps and run free guided hikes.
- Running or biking after work? Greenways close at dusk, which comes early after the time change Nov. 1.
Related guides: things to do this month, farmers markets and getting around Nashville.
Frequently asked questions
What are Nashville greenway hours?
Metro greenways are open daily from dawn to dusk. The Warner Parks are open from sunrise to 11 p.m. every day of the year.
How many miles of greenways does Nashville have?
Metro Parks lists more than 99 miles of paved, off-street greenway trails, plus 42 miles of hiking trails, 26 miles of mountain bike trails, 17 miles of horse trails and 87 miles of paddling blueways.
What is the largest park in Nashville?
The Warner Parks: Percy Warner and Edwin Warner parks and the Burch Reserve cover more than 3,100 acres in west Nashville, with the Warner Park Nature Center at 7311 Highway 100.
Are dogs allowed in Nashville parks?
Leashed dogs are welcome in all Metro parks. Off-leash play is allowed only inside fenced dog parks, open dawn to dusk, such as Centennial, Shelby, Two Rivers and Warner dog parks.
Who do I call about a Metro park?
Metro Parks headquarters at 615-862-8400, 2565 Park Plaza. Each nature center has its own number.
Have your say