Located 5 miles from Interstate 40 at the Buffalo Valley Exit No. 268 and adjacent to the Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office, this trail provides river access to the Caney Fork and is a very popular access area for trout fishermen. Facilities available at the trailhead include vehicle-trailer parking, restrooms, improved river launch access, and interpretative signage and benches along the trail.
Located just off Highway 56, approximately 4 miles south of Interstate 40 at the Silver Point Exit 273, this two-mile stretch of scenic trail loops above the Floating Mill Campground and Hurricane Marina. The trail provides hikers with a well rounded use, whether seeking extreme exertion or a quiet relaxed walk along the more level loop. Limited parking is available at the trailhead and at the adjacent Day Use park.
Located off Highway 70, approximately 8 miles east of Smithville and 12 miles west of Sparta, this nearly two miles long trail, loops above the Ragland Bottom Campground. Red Post Trail is a very beautiful (but steep!) trail rewarding those who choose to trek the moderately difficult climb, with beautiful overlooks of the lake and nearby Sligo Bridge and Marina. Parking is available at the nearby Day Use park.
This trail, located in the Lock A Campground, will give you a sense of what it was like to live the life of a lockmaster. As you wander through the site of the old homestead, inquire about what the river was like before the locks and dams we have today. This property was used first by the workers constructing the old Lock A. It was then occupied by the lockmaster, his family and lock workers, during the years of operation of Lock A.
Starting just west of Ashland City and ending in the Lock A Campground is the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail. This trail is open from sunrise to sunset and accommodates hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, bird watchers, wildflower enthusiasts and all people with a love for nature. The trail, a “rails to trails” project, currently spans approximately 6.5 miles of an old railroad bed.
Located off the Carthage exit on Interstate 40, this 6 mile long Bearwaller Gap trail is located between the Scenic Overlook (Tater Knobb) and the parking lot at the Picnic Shelter at Defeated Creek Campground
Located off the Carthage exit on Interstate 40, the Horse Trails are found near the small community of Granville. The trail entrance is beside the road, just past Granville.
The ½ mile ADA accessible Mocking Bird Loop to the Turkey Creek Nature Trail is located between the Visitor’s Center and the Dam. Directions: Take I-40 to the Carthage exit. Go north approximately 7 miles to Highway 263. Take Highway 263 to the entrance to Cordell Hull Dam and Lake. Go approximately ½ mile trail head is on the left.
Directions: Take I-40 to the Carthage exit. Go approximately 7 miles north to highway 263. Take highway 263 to the Scenic Overlook (Tater Knob) trailhead. -OR- Take I-40 to the Carthage exit. Go approximately 7 miles north to highway 263. Take highway 263 to highway 85. Go right approximately 2 miles on highway 85 to Defeated Creek Park. Trailhead is at Defeated Creek Campground Parking Lot.
Located 8 miles north of Celina, Tenn., off highway 53, Red Oak Ridge hosts 18 miles of beautiful and scenic trails developed for horseback riding. Beginning on wooded ridge top, riders can descend to follow the forested Dale Hollow shoreline. Seven loops provide for cutbacks to shorten or lengthen the trail. Eagles Bluff Overlook provides for one of the most spectacular vistas of Dale Hollow Lake. Hikers are welcome. A corral, storm shelter, and stalls are available. Primitive camping permits are required for overnight stays. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and coggins papers required. Follow the signs toward Holly Creek Marina and Red Oak Ridge.
Click Here for a trail map of Red Oak Ridge.
This is a one way 7.5-mile stretch of scenic trail connecting Lillydale and Willow Grove Campgrounds, both located approximately 20 miles north of Livingston, Tenn. This natural soil surface trail winds along the shoreline of Dale Hollow Lake, ascends to the ridge-top and then returns back toward the shoreline. Parking is available at each trailhead. NOTICE: Allow approximately 6 to 7 hours for a quick pace hike of the trail. For a more leisurely walk, allow 8 to 10 hours. Please pack out all trash. The trail crosses onto private property. Please be respectful of these areas and stay on the designated trail.
Click Here for a trail map of Accordion Bluff.
Located 7 miles off Interstate 40 east at exit 221B at Cook Recreation area, Three Hickories trail provides an enjoyable way to enjoy the outdoors in a natural setting. The trail entrance is across from the amphitheater in the day use area.
Located off Interstate 40 east, exit 219, this paved one mile trail winds through a cedar glade area beside the lake.
Located off 1-24 east, exit 66B, Poole Knobs Archery Trail is 0.3 miles long and is designed with targets in the woods for archery practice. There is a small shelter and some archery targets at the entrance of the trail.
Located 19 miles off Interstate 24, exit 70, Twin Forks Horse trail welcomes equestrians and hikers to use this 18 mile long trail running along the shoreline from Walter Hill Dam to Nices Mill Recreation Area. Access to the trail is at East Fork Recreation Area.
Located in the Old Kuttawa Recreation Area, the half-mile Anderson Woodland Trail is an enjoyable footpath for birding and viewing the great tall trees of the region.
Located in the Canal Overlook Recreation Area, the 1 mile short hiking trail allows campers to enjoy the outdoor scenery at their leisure.
Located in the Lake Barkley State Park, the 3 mile long trail offers a well-maintained path for visitors to take an easy stroll through the lakeside woods where wildflowers and deer can be seen.
Located in the Eureka Campground and Day Use Area, the 2.5 mile long trail offer hikers and bikers a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Located at the Lake Cumberland Natural Resource Management Office at 855 Boat Dock Road Somerset, KY., this quarter mile, one way, trail boasts many interpretive signs to assist with a self guided tour.
Maps of the Black Walnut Trail can be found here!
Located in the Kendall Campground at 80 Kendall Road Jamestown, KY., this half mile, one way, trail takes you through a forest of pines which is home for much of the area's wildlife.
Maps of the Whispering Pines Trail can be found here!
This trail is a 1 1/4 mile strenuous hiking trail located before the uncontrolled spillway and Laurel tail waters. This trail loops from a heavily forested natural area which include many prime examples of local floral and fauna. The trail includes several natural and developed overlooks for excellent views of the spillway inflow and tail waters area. The steep natural terrain limits the accessibility.
The Cumberland Shadow Trail is a 5 mile long multi-purpose trail along the backside of the lake. The trailheads are located above the second bridge over the lake and below the dam. The trail is available for use year-round and features excellent views of the lake. There are two primitive campsites along the trail for backpackers. During the fall, hunters also use the area along the trail, so please use caution.
Located off Interstate 65, exit 92, Old Hickory Nature Trail is part of the Nashville Greenways Project. Recognized by the Department of the Interior as a component of the National Trail System, this trail totaling 1.1 miles has three loops; Willow Swamp Loop, Wildlife Loop, and Woodland Loop.
Old Hickory Lake Archery Trail is located within the Rockland Recreation Area, off Rockland road in Hendersonville, Tenn. This challenging course offers a total of 28 targets. Each target can be approached from different angles and range in distances from 7 yards to 80 yards. Old Hickory Lake also offers bow hunters an archery range next to the trail as well as another challenging archery range at Taylor’s Landing in Hartsville, Tenn.
Located within the old U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Shutes Branch Campground, the Shutes Branch Mountain Biking Trail has something for every type of mountain bike rider. The parking area and trail entrance is located at the top of the campground entrance hill on the left side of the road. Beginning on the sidewalk and marked with an informational kiosk and bench, the initial 2.5 miles of the nearly 8-mile serpentine trail is considered to be a great warm-up or simply a great ride for beginners. With numerous rocks, short ledges, and tight turns the next 4+ miles of trail are great for more technical riders and is considered to be a good challenge for honing in on your skills.