Tennessee has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them.
\nThese\u00a0links \u00a0were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love some first-hand information. \u00a0\u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/a>
\nState<\/a>
\nLocal<\/a>
\nPrivate<\/a>
\nMiscellaneous<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/h2>\n

• Cherokee National Forest
  \n<\/strong>The 650,00 acre Cherokee National Forest in Eastern Tennessee stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border and lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachian mountain range.
  \nHere is the Forest website.<\/a>\u00a0 Link to \u00a0Maps \u00a0& Publications<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0List of Day Hikes
  \n<\/a>Phones: \u00a0Unaka Ranger District 423-638-4109, Ocoee Ranger District, \u00a0423-388-3300, Ocoee Whitewater Center 423-496-0100, \u00a0Tellico Ranger District 423-253-8400, Watauga Ranger District 423-735-1500
  \nAppalachian National Scenic Trail <\/a>#1 at Osborne Farm \u00a00.5 miles \u00a0“where Cross Mountain bridges Holston Mountain and Iron Mountain.\u00a0 This easy\u00a0…slice of A.T. provides everyone an opportunity to enjoy\u00a0the pastoral mountain\u00a0views of Shady Valley”. Ocoee Ranger District
  \nRhododendron Trail #332 \u00a01.6-miles, The “one-way hiking and biking trail travels along the world famous Ocoee River. ” \u00a0Ocoee Ranger District.
  \nIndian Boundary Lake Trail<\/a> #129 \u00a03.1 mile loop for hiking and biking. \u00a0It goes “around the scenic lake with views of the mountains.” Tellico Ranger District<\/p>\n

  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  \n<\/strong>“Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.”
  \nHere is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 Phone 865-436-1200\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Maps<\/a> \u00a0
  \n<\/strong>Trails accessibility information<\/a>
  \n<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Hiking In The Smokies.com – difficulty<\/a> has a trail list with difficulty ratings. \u00a0You can see that the rugged Great Smokies offer little in accessibility. \u00a0You might try\u00a0Randy Johnson’s Best Easy Day Hikes guide.
  \n
  \n<\/strong>NORTH CAROLINA
  \n<\/a>Deep Creek Trail to Tom Branch Falls<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0“The trail begins as a wide path as it traces Deep Creek upstream. The 80-foot Toms Branch Falls is located only three-tenths of a mile from the trailhead. The park service has provided several benches for visitors to admire these beautiful falls, which spill down into the creek from the opposite bank.”<\/p>\n

  TENNESEE
  \n<\/a>Sugarlands Valley Nature trail is 0.5 mile round trip. \u00a0Reviewed on AllTrails.com<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0It\u00a0is located on Newfound Gap Road, just south of Sugarlands Visitor Center.
  \n<\/a>Spruce Fir Trail<\/a> is 0.35 miles with an elevation gain of just 25′ according to the author of Hiking In The Smokies.com<\/a>.
  \nLaurel Falls<\/a>\u00a02.6 miles \u00a0Map<\/a> \u00a0 EveryTrail.com says the trail is paved and is suitable for strollers, but considered ‘moderate” in difficulty. \u00a0“wideopencountry.com<\/a>” warns that the first half is uphill.
  \nMetcalf Bottoms Trail<\/a>\u00a0 1.4 miles. \u00a0A short nature hike through the woods to\u00a0Greenbrier School. Map from EveryTrail
  \n<\/a><\/a>Middle Prong Trail<\/a> \u00a0 Trip Advisor<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0hikingproject.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 maliasmiles<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a04 miles.\u00a0 The trial is a 12′ wide\u00a0graveled railroad grade\u00a0for the first two miles. \u00a0Descriptions vary for the difficulty after that. \u00a0Video by The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

  <\/a>State<\/h2>\n

  • Tennessee State Parks
    \n<\/strong>General Brochure<\/a> for Tennessee State Parks\u00a0 State Map<\/a> showing State Park locations.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 615-532-0001
    \nAccessibility information for Tennessee State Parks<\/a>
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Big Cypress Tree State Park
    \n<\/strong>“The park is a quaint, clean and relaxing spot to enjoy nature\u2019s purity and beauty. A variety of native wild flowers and trees may be seen such as showy evening primrose, black-eyed Susans, yellow poplar, bald cypress and dogwood. Along with plant life there is an abundance of wildlife at Big Cypress and the park is popular location for birdwatchers. “
    \n<\/strong>Here is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 731-235-2700 Map and Brochure<\/a>
    \nBoardwalk Trail 1,142′\u00a0paved. \u00a0the boardwalk\u00a0“leads the visitor into the park’s seasonally flooded hardwood bottomland forest.”
    \nTree identification trail 0.38 mile paved.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Cove Lake State Park<\/strong>
    \n“Cove Lake\u2019s 717 acres are situated in a beautiful mountain valley on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau.”
    \nHere is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0423-566-9701 \u00a0Map & Brochure<\/a>
    \nAccessible Trail 3.5 miles paved<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Indian Mountain State Park<\/strong>
    \n“Indian Mountain State Park is a multi-use facility in Campbell County near Tennessee’s northern border. Visitors to the 203-acre park enjoy fishing at the lake, picnicking, camping, and hiking on the three trails. “
    \n<\/strong>Here is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone \u00a0423-784-7958 \u00a0 Map & Brochure<\/a>
    \nIndian Mountain Lake Trail \u00a01.0 mile Paved<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Long Hunter State Park
    \n<\/strong>“The more than 20 miles of hiking trails provide a variety of terrain and habitats and range from pleasant strolls to longer jaunts for the more adventurous.”
    \n<\/strong>Here is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone \u00a0615-885-2422 \u00a0Map & Brochure
    \n<\/a>Couchville Lake Trail 2.0 miles paved \u00a0“This paved trail encircles 110-acre Couchville Lake. This is one of the most popular walks in the state park system due to its accessibility, lakeshore scenery, and abundant wildlife.”<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Radnor Lake State Park\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n“The park is perfect for nature enthusiasts to observe owls, herons and water fowl as well as many species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals such as mink and otter. Hundreds of species of wildflowers, mosses, fungi, ferns and other plants as well as trees, shrubs and vines add to the natural ecological diversity of the area. ”
    \nHere is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone 615-373-3467 \u00a0Brochure & Map
    \n<\/a>Lake Trail 1.3 miles \u00a0mulch\/gravel “The Lake Trail is accessible to people with all-terrain wheelchairs.
    \nOtter Creek Road 1.1 miles \u00a0paved<\/p>\n

    Dam Walkway 0.2 miles gravel<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Tims Ford State Park
    \n<\/strong>“Located on the Tims Ford Reservoir, the 1,321-acre Tims Ford State park sits in the shadows of the Cumberland Plateau in south-central Tennessee. The Tims Ford Lake is considered one of the most picturesque lakes in Tennessee and is regarded as one of the top bass fishing and recreational lakes in the Southeast.”
    \n\u00a0<\/strong>Map & Brochure<\/a> \u00a0Phone \u00a0931-962-1183 Here is the Park website.<\/a>
    \nOverlook Trail \u00a01.0 mile, paved<\/p>\n

    Tims Ford Bicycle Trail \u00a06 miles, paved. \u00a0Call the park to see if part of this trail\u00a0would be appropriate for your hiking ability or even for a wheelchair.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Warriors’ Path State Park
    \n<\/strong>This 950-acre park is located on the shores of the Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River.
    \n<\/strong>Here is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone \u00a0423-239-8531 \u00a0Map and Brochure<\/a>\u00a0 Hiking Trails Map & Guide<\/a>
    \n<\/a>Lions Narnia Braille Trail is 0.25 mile with eight sensory stations that “tell visitors the story of Aslan of the Chronicles of Narnia”. \u00a0There is also the Anderson Treehouse which is a fully-accessible tree house.
    \nOverlook Trail 0.5 mile \u00a0“This is the easy way to get to the top. \u00a0Follow old farm lanes to enjoy rich forests and fine views across the lake.” \u00a0Better check first to be sure this is easy enough for you.
    \n<\/a>The park has a \u201cBoundless Playground \u2013 where children of all physical and mental abilities can play together.\u201d\u00a0 There is also a fully accessible tree house.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/a>Local<\/h2>\n

    • City of Fairview
      \n<\/strong>Bowie Nature Park<\/a>\u00a0 <\/strong>Phone \u00a0615-799-5544 \u00a0Trail Map & Flyer<\/a>
      \nThe park contains over 700 acres of forest, lakes & trails. \u00a0Thank you Program Director Jenny Herrera for\u00a0this helpful information: “We currently do not have an ADA accessible trail.\u00a0 We do have easy trails for the elderly or even for more adventurous wheelchair users when the trails are dry.\u00a0 I would recommend Loblolly Trail and the Twin Loop Trail.\u00a0 They are wide trails and when dry are very compact with fewer roots and rocks than some of our other trails.” \u00a0Call before going to be sure of trail conditions.
      \nLoblolly Trail \u00a0about\u00a01.2 mile loop<\/span><\/p>\n

      Twin Lakes Loop Trail \u00a0about .76 mile<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • City of Murfreesboro
      \n<\/strong>Parks and Recreation phone 615-890-5333\u00a0 Website<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0
      \nMurfree Spring Wetlands<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(from the city)<\/a> is a 25 acre city\u00a0park with easy access to the children’s\u00a0Discovery Center<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 615-890-2300 \u00a0Trip Advisor<\/a> \u00a0There is an $8 charge for the Center, but none for the walking trails.
      \nThe trails travel through flooded willow swamps, mature hardwoods, and open water wetlands that provide for a wide variety of species to be found. Spring and fall songbird migration can be excellent.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • City of Nashville
      \n<\/strong>Nashville has four nature centers which “…are open year-round and offer programs, special events, field trips, natural history information and literature, maps and naturalists to answer your questions.”
      \n<\/strong>Nature Centers and Natural Areas<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>Parks and Recreation<\/a> \u00a0 phone \u00a0(615) 862-8750 \u00a0 \u00a0Hiking Trails<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0
      \nShelby Bottoms Nature Center<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong> Phone (615) 862-8539 \u00a0 Map and Brochure
      \n<\/a><\/a>\u00a0“Shelby Bottoms offers a variety of trails including approximately five hiking trails, five miles of multiuse, accessible paved trails, and three trailheads.”
      \nWarner Parks <\/a>\u00a0 <\/strong>Maps of Percy & Edwin Warner Parks<\/a>\u00a0 615-352-6299 \u00a0Hiking Trails\u00a0Brochure<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0
      \n<\/a><\/strong>Edwin Warner Park Map<\/a>\u00a0 There are three short trails in the Edwin Warner Park described as easy. \u00a0The Little Acorn Trail and its interpretive stops are\u00a0designed for children six years and under. \u00a0I have known some pretty spry six year olds, so you had better call first to see if these trails are really easy enough.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/a>Private<\/h2>\n

      • Reflection Riding Arboretum Nature Center
        \n<\/strong>“This 317-acre property is home to hundreds of plant species. \u00a0Today the organization supports an array of gardens and the Level IV arboretum. \u00a0In addition, the miles of hiking trails present multitudes of wildflowers and some exotic species to be enjoyed in the natural state. ”\u00a0 The Center is 10″ from downtown Chattanooga.\u00a0
        \n<\/strong>Here is the Center’s website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone \u00a0423-821-1160\u00a0 \u00a0 Nature Center Map<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Scenic Map<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0Accessibility<\/a>
        \nNon-Members Adult $10, Senior $7, Children 4-11 $7
        \nReflection Riding Loop scenic driving trail 3 miles \u00a0“experience a series of landscapes consisting of bucolic pastures, deep forests, meadows, bottomlands and sweeping vistas.”
        \nBoardwalk 1,400′ through seasonal wetland<\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

        <\/a>Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n

        • Nature For The Blind<\/a> has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy<\/a> lists wheelchair accessible trails in Tennessee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Tennessee has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them. These\u00a0links \u00a0were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love some first-hand information. \u00a0\u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the … Continue reading Rails-to-Trails – Tennessee<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-403","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/403","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=403"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/403\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5882,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/403\/revisions\/5882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}