Overton Park is where Midtown Memphis goes to walk, play and breathe, and it holds one of the more surprising natural features in any American city: the Old Forest. The Overton Park Conservancy manages 126 acres of the Old Forest State Natural Area, a rare old-growth forest in the middle of the city. Volunteers remove invasive plants each winter and native oaks are seeded in cleared areas, and the Old Forest Trail is a 1.4-mile limestone loop that was renovated to make the woodland easier to explore. A previously fenced 17-acre section has been opening with a new walking path. Beyond the forest, the park offers an open lawn called the Greensward, which has long been used for overflow parking and is being returned to public use with a planned walking path around it. Park newsletters also mention Rainbow Lake Playground, a dog park, a golf course, a community farmers market and bicycle connections to the Hampline. The park is also home to the Memphis Zoo and the Overton Park Shell, so it is easy to combine with other attractions. Entry is free, which makes it a reliable choice for budget-conscious visitors, families and anyone who wants a break from ticketed attractions. Facilities and projects change as the Conservancy works through its plans, so check its website for current trail and parking notes before you go. The Old Forest is best on a dry day in spring or autumn, and the shade makes it a good summer morning option too.
How to visit
The park lies in Midtown, a short drive from downtown, and is easy to reach by car or rideshare. Parking is changing as the Greensward overflow arrangement ends in favour of designated spaces, so check the Conservancy’s latest notes before you arrive. The Old Forest Trail is the main walking route, and the park is open to pedestrians through the day.
What to expect
Shaded forest paths, open lawn, a lake and playgrounds, with plenty of room to wander. The Old Forest Trail is a renovated limestone loop. Bring water and bug spray in warmer months, and wear shoes you do not mind getting dusty.
Making the most of it
Walk the Old Forest Trail in the morning, then visit the zoo, the Overton Park Shell tour or the Pink Palace Museum in the afternoon. If a free concert is on at the Shell, bring a blanket and stay for the evening. This is a place for lingering, not ticking boxes, so leave a flexible half day.
What to expect
The experience
A free urban park with an old-growth forest trail, open lawn, playgrounds and a bandshell.
Best time
A dry morning in spring or autumn.
How long
One to three hours.
Tips
Check the Conservancy’s parking and trail notes, bring water and combine the park with the zoo or the Shell.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Walkers, families and anyone wanting a free green break in Midtown.
- Families
- Playgrounds, open lawn and the zoo nearby make it an easy family outing.
- Couples
- A quiet forest walk and a picnic on the lawn.
- Pair with
- The Overton Park Shell tour and the Pink Palace Museum.
- Time needed
- One to three hours.
Good questions
Is Overton Park free?+
Yes, the park is a free public space, though some attractions inside it, such as the zoo, charge their own admission.
What is the Old Forest?+
It is an old-growth forest preserved as a State Natural Area in the middle of the city, of which the Conservancy manages 126 acres.
How long is the forest trail?+
The Old Forest Trail is a renovated 1.4-mile limestone loop.
What is the Greensward?+
It is the park’s open lawn, long used for overflow parking and being returned to public use with a walking path.
What else is in the park?+
The Memphis Zoo and the Overton Park Shell are in the park, along with a playground, a dog park and a farmers market mentioned in the Conservancy’s newsletters.
