49 (Outdoorsy) Day Trips From Nashville
Not just one day trip from Nashville, but 49!
Tell me if this has happened to you.
You wake up one weekend ready to go somewhere new. You have no idea where. You’re just itching to get out of town and not waste the weekend.
So you search, “Day trips near me” and go down the rabbit hole of research. Two hours later, you haven’t found the perfect spot and you’re still in your pajamas.
Pin this for later:
There are so many places to explore that are 1 to 3-hours from Nashville.
Here’s all the info you need to be ready to find your day trip. Read the list below and find your perfect day trip getaway. Every destination has the drive time from Nashville, as well as the link to get more info about hours, rates, or closures. We also created a printable list of these 49 day trips from Nashville for you to hang up on your fridge. Now, you’ll never wonder where the fun day trips near me are — you’ll already know!
Please check ahead for closures or restrictions due to COVID-19.
Canoeing and kayaking
Ocoee River Rats, whitewater rafting, Drive time: 3 hours
Foggy Bottom Canoe, paddle the Harpeth River, Drive time: 30 min
Canoe the Caney, paddle the Caney Fork River, Drive time: 1 hour
Pinewood Canoe and Camp, paddle the Piney river, it's spring fed and clearer that most around, Drive time: 1 hour
Dale Hollow Lake, beautiful. deep, clear lake. Lodge, camping, restaurant, biking, Drive time: 2 hours 15 min
River Rat Canoe, paddle the Duck river, Drive time: 45 min
Hiwassee Outfiters, kayak Hiwassee River, cabin, camp, paddle, Drive time: 3 hours
Falls and hiking trips
Machine Falls, hiking and falls, Drive time: 1 hour 15 min
Reelfoot Lake, camping, cabins, fishing, especially good to visit during bald eagle nesting season, Drive time: 3 hours
Fall Creek Falls, hiking and falls. If you find yourself near Cookeville, try Red Silo Brewery or Cream City for some ice cream, Drive time: 2 hours
Cumberland Falls, camping, cabins, restaurant, gem mining. It’s called Niagara of the South. On a clear, night of a full moon, you can see a “moonbow”. That’s a rainbow created by the moonlight, Drive time: 3 hours
The Firey Gizard Trail, beautiful hiking trails and falls, it's up on the Cumberland plateau and the waterfalls and overlooks are breathtaking. Foster Falls entrance is a good place to start. The other end is more challenging as you will go down into the gorge, Drive time: 1 hour 40 min
Burgess Falls, 3 big waterfalls, trails, Drive time: 1 hour 18 min
For even more trips, join the conversation on Facebook.
Couchville Lake Trail, flat 2-mile loop, Drive time: 30 min
Bledsoe Creek State Park, hiking and camping, Drive time: 1 hour
Cragfront Museum House, historic home and gardens, Drive time: 45 min
Lost Creek Falls, Disney filmed "Jungle Book" here, Drive time: 2 hours
Winding Stairs, trails, falls, springs, Drive time: 1 hour 15 min
Ozone Falls, hiking and falls, Drive time: 2 hours
Rock Island, hike, camp, canoe or kayak, and swim. Drive time: 1 hour 40 min
The Falls of the Ohio, bike, hike, find fossils, and boat, Also, small museum, Drive time: 2 hours 40 min
Frozen Head State Park, hiking and camping, Drive time: 2 hours 45 min
Great Stone Door, bluffs and trail, entrance found at Savage Gulf State Natural Area, Drive time: 1 hour 45 min
Cloudland Canyon, hiking, falls, camping, backpacking, Drive time: 3 hours 20 min
Jackson Falls, near Leipers Fork, has a natural rock waterslide, Drive time: 1 hour
Window Cliffs, hike and falls, Drive time: 1 hour 20 min
Lula Lake Land Trust, hike and falls, Drive time: 2 hours 15 min
Cummins Falls, requires permit, avoid during heavy rain, high flood risk in gorge, Drive time: 1 hour 22 min
Virgin Falls, 9-mile hike, 4 waterfalls, primitive camping, Drive time: 2 hours 40 min
Cumberland Caverns, Camp in a cave, concerts, and specialized cave tours! Drive time: 1 hour 40 min
Source: Cumberland Falls
Other outdoorsy attractions
Evins Mill, cabins, day-use sites, and a gourmet restaurant. Also, waterfalls, hiking, and swimming. Drive time: 1 hour 15 min
Mammoth Cave, Try the historical tour, short but interesting. Remember to take a jacket or sweatshirt. It may be 90 outside but 50 in the cave!, Drive time: 1 hour 18 min
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, scenic train ride, Drive time: 3 hours 40 min
Ruby Falls, attraction, Drive time: 2 hours 4 min
Rock City, attraction, Drive time: 2 hours 11 min
Jack Daniels, tour distillery and grounds, Drive time: 1 hour 30 min
Natchez Trace, 444-mile scenic drive, various places to pull over and picnic, no cost, Drive time: varies
Lost River Cave, trails, natural play ground, boat tour of cave, Drive time: 1 hour
Leipers Fork, explore the village, shopping, galleries, restaurants, Drive time: 45 minutes
Tennessee Safari Park, drive-thru animal safari and petting zoo, Drive time: 2 hours 11 min
Big South Fork or Pickett State Park, outdoor recreational activities, camping, Drive time: 2 hours 45 min
Land between the Lakes, lakes, camping, trails, nature center, planetarium, Drive time: 1 hour 30 min
Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, tour historic grounds, Drive time: 2 hours 30 min
Shady Cove RV Campground, pool, restaurant, marina, Drive time: 45 min
Ijams Nature Center, hiking, biking, paddle, swim in quarry, ropes course, Drive time: 2 hours 40 min
Arrington Vineyards, wine tasting, live music, Drive time: 40 min
Louisville Mega Cavern, underground zipline and biking, and cave tours, Drive time: 2 hours 30 min
Burritt on the Mountain, historic mountain-top mansion overlooking Huntsville, family fun, Drive time: 3 hours
Circle S Farms, strawberry and other berry picking, Drive time: 35 min
