Percy Warner Park

Percy Warner Park, together with its neighbor Edwin Warner Park, forms one of the largest municipal parks in the South, some three thousand acres of hardwood forest, ridges and meadows on the western edge of Nashville. It is the city's big backyard: locals come to run the hills, cycle the winding park drives, hike the trails, walk dogs and picnic in shelters built from local stone in the 1930s. The grand entrance at the end of Belle Meade Boulevard sets the tone, with stone gates and a long, formal stairway climbing into the woods, and the scenic drives that loop through the park make even a short visit by car rewarding — overlooks open onto rolling ridges, especially lovely in fall. For walkers, the two key trails are the Warner Woods Trail, a moderate 2.5-mile loop, and the Mossy Ridge Trail, a 4.5-mile loop that is the classic Nashville workout hike, with steady climbs through forest; the short Cane Connector links into the system. Edwin Warner, next door, has the gentler nature trails and the Warner Park Nature Center. The park also hosts the Iroquois Steeplechase, a historic spring horse race. Ice Storm Fern in early 2026 was the most severe weather event in the parks' history and closed them for weeks; Percy Warner reopened in March 2026 with its hiking, paved and horse trails open, though some areas such as mountain bike trails stayed closed longer for repairs, so check posted closures. Fit: couples, active travelers, families who like the outdoors, and anyone who wants to see where Nashvillians actually spend their weekends. It is also a good choice for visitors with a car who want a sense of Nashville's landscape — rolling, wooded and green — rather than its downtown.

The park's character comes from its era. Much of the stonework — walls, bridges, shelters and the entrance stairway — was built in the 1930s by federal work programs, and it gives the park a handsome, slightly grand feel that newer parks lack. The drives are narrow and winding, shared with cyclists and runners, and the speed limits are low for good reason.

How to do it well: for a first visit, start at the Belle Meade Boulevard entrance to see the stone gates and stairway, then drive or cycle the main loop to the overlooks. Hikers should head for the Mossy Ridge Trail from the Deep Well picnic area off Highway 100 — bring water and allow two to three hours — or the shorter Warner Woods loop. Trails are open from daybreak until 11pm. Rules are simple: stay on designated trails, keep dogs on a short leash, and note that horses and bicycles are not allowed on the hiking trails. After the ice storm, some areas may still have posted closures or coned-off sections; respect them, and check Metro Parks' closures page before a long hike.

Practicals and fit: the park is about twenty minutes southwest of downtown by car, close to Belle Meade and Cheekwood, which makes for an easy west-side day: Belle Meade in the morning, a Percy Warner hike or drive in the afternoon, and dinner back in town. There is free parking at trailheads and picnic areas. The Warner Park Nature Center in Edwin Warner was heavily damaged in the storm; check its status before planning a visit there. Locals use the park in all seasons, so expect company on weekend mornings, particularly runners and cyclists on the drives; weekday visits are much quieter. In summer, hike early before the heat and humidity build, and carry more water than you think you need; in winter the bare trees open up views across the ridges that are hidden the rest of the year.