Shelby Bottoms Greenway with a stroller

Shelby Bottoms is the walk we’d hand any new Nashville mom first. It’s flat, it’s paved, it’s free, and within a few minutes of leaving the parking lot you’re rolling past ponds, wetlands and big open fields with the Cumberland River just off to the side. It feels far from the city, but it’s only about two miles from downtown.

The greenway runs through Shelby Bottoms, a protected natural area of about 960 acres in the Cumberland River floodplain, right next to historic Shelby Park. Metro Parks describes the main paved trail as a 5.5-mile ADA accessible greenway, with nine short primitive trails branching off it. You don’t need to do it all. A mile out and a mile back is a lovely morning.

At a glance

• LengthAbout 5.5 miles of paved trail
• SurfaceSmooth asphalt
• ShadeMixed: open fields and tree cover
• HillsBasically flat
• Best withAny stroller
• CostFree

The greenway is open every day from dawn to dusk. Shelby Park, right next door, stays open until 11 p.m. Leashed dogs are welcome on a six-foot leash or shorter, and you’ll share the path with cyclists, so stay to the right.

Map

Open in Google Maps

The main trailhead is the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center at 1900 Davidson Street, with parking right there. The paved greenway heads northeast from here along the Cumberland River.

Stroller or carrier?

Stick to the paved greenway and any stroller works. The unpaved side trails are a different story.

• 👶
  Best overallAny stroller on the paved trail

  Smooth asphalt and flat ground make this one of the easiest stroller walks in Nashville.

• 🏃
  Covering milesJogging stroller

  Great for longer days, especially if you plan to cross the bridge to the Stones River Greenway.

• 🧸
  Side trailsBaby carrier

  The primitive trails are dirt, roots and mud after rain. If you want to explore them, wear the baby and leave the stroller.

Getting there and parking

By car

Shelby Bottoms has three main trailheads with free parking:

• Main Trailhead and Nature Center, 1900 Davidson Street. This is the easiest start, with restrooms and the nature center right there. From I-24, take the Shelby Avenue exit and follow signs toward Shelby Park.
• Cornelia Fort Airpark Trailhead, farther northeast along the river. A quieter start, and the jumping-off point for the unpaved Cornelia Fort trail (skip that one with a regular stroller).
• Forrest Green Drive Trailhead, 2032 Forrest Green Drive, at the far northern end near Inglewood.

There are also a few walk-in entrances from the surrounding neighborhoods, including Fortland Drive, Shadow Lane and McGinnis Drive near Cooper Creek, which are handy if you live close by.

By bus

Metro Parks lists bus routes 4 (Shelby) and 20 (Scott) for the nature center. Use the WeGo trip planner to check current routes and times from your neighborhood.

The route

Here’s our favorite way to do it with a baby, starting from the nature center.

1. Start at the nature center. Use the restroom, grab a free trail map and head out on the paved path behind the building.
2. Roll past the ponds. Within the first stretch you’ll pass wetland ponds and an observation deck where you can stop and look for turtles, herons and ducks. It’s a great spot for a feed or a snack.
3. Keep going through the fields. The path opens up into big meadows with river views. It’s sunny here, so bring a sunshade.
4. Turn around when you’re ready. The trail is out and back, so every step out is a step home. Most families turn around somewhere between one and two miles.
5. Head back and play. Finish with a playground stop in Shelby Park, a short drive or roll from the nature center.

Metro Parks has closed the boardwalk near the observation deck for repairs at times, so check the Metro Parks closures page before you go. The main paved trail usually stays open around any closed section.

Mile by mile

Roughly what to expect heading north from the nature center. Distances are approximate.

• The first half mile. Wetland ponds, the observation deck and plenty of birds. The busiest stretch, and the best for short newborn walks.
• Miles one to two. The trail opens into wide meadows and fields along the river. Sunny, breezy and peaceful, with benches here and there.
• Miles two to four. Quieter, with more woods and river views as you head toward the Cornelia Fort Airpark trailhead.
• Beyond. The far northern end reaches the Forrest Green Drive trailhead near Inglewood.

The trail is out and back, so halfway is your turnaround. Plan for the walk home to feel longer than the walk out, especially if the baby wakes up hungry.

Pick your distance

• 👶
  Newborn daysAbout 1 mile

  Out to the ponds and back. Gentle, short and close to the bathrooms.

• 🌿
  Getting stronger2 to 3 miles

  Keep going into the open meadows, then turn around. Plan on about an hour with stops.

• 🌄
  Long morning5 to 11 miles

  Walk the whole greenway, or cross the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge to the Stones River Greenway for a much longer day.

The pedestrian bridge is a fun add-on for older babies and toddlers who like watching the river. It connects Shelby Bottoms to Two Rivers Park in Donelson. Our Stones River Greenway guide covers the other side.

Restrooms and water

This is the big one to plan around: there are no restrooms on the trails or in the interior of Shelby Bottoms. Use the bathroom before you head out.

• Year-round restrooms are at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, the Shelby Park Golf Course and the Shelby Park Community Center, according to Friends of Shelby Park.
• Seasonal restrooms are at Vinny Links golf course, near Lake Sevier at the events lawn and at the youth baseball fields.
• Water: don’t count on drinking fountains along the trail. Bring a full bottle for you, plus whatever the baby needs.

The nature center building keeps limited hours (recently Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday), so plan around those if you’re counting on its restrooms. Bring a portable changing pad either way.

Playgrounds

Shelby Park, right next to the Bottoms, has the playgrounds. The main one sits behind the Shelby Park Community Center, near a splash pad and swings, and there’s a shady one people love near the dog park. Another playground sits between the ball fields below Lake Sevier. Lake Sevier itself is a sweet spot to watch the ducks.

The nature center is also worth a peek inside when it’s open. It has free exhibits on the area’s plants and wildlife, and Metro Parks runs free programs year-round, from bird walks to kid-friendly nature talks.

Feeding and nap stops

The quiet and the breeze put a lot of babies right to sleep out here. Good places to stop:

• The observation deck. A calm spot to sit, feed and watch the ponds.
• Benches along the meadows. Look for one with shade from the tree line, especially in summer.
• Back at Shelby Park. Picnic shelters and shade trees near Lake Sevier make a comfortable spot for a longer feed.

Feeding in public is your right in Tennessee, and you’ll see plenty of families doing it out here.

Accessibility

Metro Parks describes the main greenway as a 5.5-mile ADA accessible paved trail, and it’s flat for its entire length. A few notes:

• Start at the nature center. It has parking and restrooms right at the trailhead, but check its hours, since the building is closed Sunday and Monday.
• Skip the primitive trails. The side trails are unpaved and can be muddy or flooded.
• Plan for long gaps. With no restrooms on the trail, shorter out-and-backs are easier for anyone who needs facilities nearby.

For accommodations or questions, Metro Parks lists its main office at 615-862-8400.

What you’re seeing

Shelby Bottoms has a story worth knowing.

• 🌾
  FarmlandThree historic farms

  The land was once Oakland Farm, Wild Acres and Fortland Farm, rich bottomland along the Cumberland River.

• ✈️
  AviationCornelia Fort

  Raised on Fortland Farm, Cornelia Fort was a pioneering pilot who was flying over Pearl Harbor during the attack. She later joined the women’s ferrying squadron and, in 1943, became the first American woman pilot to die on active military duty. The airpark trailhead is named for her.

• 🌳
  SavedA greenway since 1997

  Faced with possible development in the 1980s, the floodplain was protected by the city and opened as a greenway in 1997. The former Cornelia Fort Airpark was later added.

• 🦊
  WildlifeWho lives here

  The bottomland is home to deer, red foxes, raccoons, flying squirrels, mink, amphibians and lots of birds.

This is a floodplain, and it acts like one. During the historic May 2010 flood, the Cumberland River rose to about 53 feet, 13 feet above flood level, and much of the park was under water. If the trail ever seems wet or closed after heavy rain, that’s the land doing its job.

Coffee and food

There’s no café inside the park, so pack snacks and water. When you’re done, East Nashville is right there: Five Points and the shops along Gallatin and Main have plenty of coffee shops, bakeries and family-friendly spots a few minutes’ drive away. Picnicking is not allowed on the nature center grounds without permission, so save your picnic for Shelby Park.

Safety and heat

The meadows are beautiful and wide open, which means sun and storms hit fast.

• Watch the heat index. Nashville summers are hot and humid, and heat index values can climb past 100 degrees. On those days, walk at sunrise, keep it short or skip it. Metro’s emergency alert program, MEANS, sends weather and safety notices.
• Know the signs of overheating. For you: dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea or weakness. For your baby: flushed skin, unusual fussiness or sleepiness and fewer wet diapers. Move to shade or air conditioning, offer fluids as your pediatrician advises and call 911 if anyone seems confused or faint.
• Check playground surfaces. Nashville’s fire department warns that slides, swings and turf can get hot enough to burn in summer sun. Touch before little ones climb on.
• Never cover the stroller with a blanket. It traps heat. Use a ventilated sunshade and a clip-on fan instead.
• Respect spring storms. Middle Tennessee gets strong thunderstorms, especially in spring. Check the forecast, and when thunder roars, head indoors.
• Walk with a friend. Metro Parks encourages enjoying greenways with a friend. Share your route and keep your phone charged. For emergencies, call 911. Metro Parks Police can be reached at 615-862-8600.

After heavy rain, the trail can flood in low spots. Never push a stroller through moving water, and turn around if the path ahead is covered.

Seasons

• SpringOur favorite time here. The wetlands are green, migrating birds stop over, and the temperatures are just right. Spring rain can flood low parts of the floodplain, so check closures after big storms.
• SummerHot and humid, with a lot of open, sunny stretches. Go early in the morning, bring a stroller fan and a sunshade, and keep walks shorter.
• FallGorgeous. Cooler mornings, golden fields and changing leaves along the river.
• WinterQuiet and mostly mild. Bare trees mean big river views. Layer the baby up for wind in the open fields.

Rainy day backups

When the weather turns, try these nearby indoor options:

• The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, with free exhibits on local wildlife, when the building is open.
• The Shelby Park Community Center, a Metro Parks center with a gym and programs. Call ahead for open hours.
• An East Nashville library branch, for a free, air-conditioned story time or a quiet place to read.

A sample morning

An easy plan for a first visit with a baby:

• 7:30 a.m.Park at the nature center. If it’s open, use the restroom; if not, plan on the Shelby Park Community Center.
• 7:45 a.m.Roll out to the ponds and the observation deck.
• 8:10 a.m.Keep going into the meadows for about a mile.
• 8:30 a.m.Feed or rest on a bench, then turn around.
• 9:15 a.m.Back at the car. Add a playground stop at Shelby Park if anyone still has energy.

That’s about two miles with lots of breaks, and you’re done before the midday sun.

What to pack

Our short list for Shelby Bottoms with a baby:

• Water for you, plus whatever your baby needs for feeds.
• A ventilated sunshade and a clip-on fan, especially from May through September.
• Bug spray, a baby-safe option you’ve checked with your pediatrician.
• A portable changing pad and wipes, since changing tables aren’t guaranteed.
• A light layer for the baby, because mornings by the water can feel cooler than you expect.
• A charged phone, with your route shared with a friend.
• A full water bottle before you start, since there’s no drinking water along the trail.

Keep it light. A packed-full stroller basket is harder to push and harder to fold at the end.

Pro tips

• 🚽
  BathroomsGo before you go

  There are no restrooms on the trail, so make the nature center your first stop.

• ☀️
  SunBring shade

  Much of the trail runs through open meadows. A stroller sunshade and a hat make a big difference.

• 🚲
  BikesStay right

  It’s a busy multi-use trail. Keep to the right and listen for bikes passing on the left.

• 🦟
  BugsPack bug spray

  Wetlands mean mosquitoes in warm months. Use a baby-safe option and ask your pediatrician about little ones.

• 👥
  SafetyWalk with a friend

  Metro Parks encourages enjoying the greenway with a friend. Share your plans and keep your phone charged.

• 📍
  Meeting upMeet at the nature center

  “Meet at the nature center” is easy for everyone to find, with parking and a bathroom.

If you’re postpartum, check with your provider before adding longer walks, and build up gradually. Our guide to postpartum exercise once you’re cleared is a good place to start.

Walk Shelby Bottoms with us

Shelby Bottoms is one of the places we expect our first Nashville walk clubs to start. It’s flat, paved and close to so many East Nashville families. We’re taking signups now, and founding members help choose the first routes and times.

Here’s what a Pink in Progress walk looks like: an easy, regular walk with strollers and sneakers welcome, a pace where everyone can talk, and coffee after when the babies cooperate. No one gets left behind, and there’s no fancy gear required. If you’re new to Nashville or new to motherhood, it’s one of the simplest ways to make friends who get it.

See everything we’re building in Nashville.

More stroller walks in Nashville

• Centennial ParkWest End · our full stroller guide
• Richland Creek GreenwaySylvan Park · our full stroller guide
• Stones River GreenwayDonelson and Hermitage · our full stroller guide