Stones River Greenway with a stroller

The Stones River Greenway is the one you grow into. It’s long, it’s paved and it has some of the prettiest river scenery in Nashville, but nobody needs to walk all ten miles with a baby. The trick is picking a section, rolling out and turning around when it feels good.

Begun in 2001, the greenway runs from the Cumberland River in Donelson to J. Percy Priest Dam, following the Stones River for much of the way. Along the route it crosses the river twice on pedestrian bridges, runs along a 1,500-foot wooden boardwalk and connects parks including Two Rivers, Heartland, Stones River Bend and Ravenwood. At the north end, the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge links it to Shelby Bottoms.

At a glance

• LengthAbout 10 miles end to end
• SurfacePaved asphalt and boardwalk
• ShadeGood in wooded sections
• HillsMostly flat, some rolling spots
• Best withAny stroller; jogging strollers love it
• CostFree

Like other Metro greenways, it’s open daily from dawn to dusk, and dogs are welcome on a six-foot leash or shorter. Some riders describe parts of the trail as hilly, so expect a few gentle climbs.

Map

Open in Google Maps

This map is centered on Two Rivers Park in Donelson, near the Cumberland River end of the greenway. The trail follows the Stones River southeast to J. Percy Priest Dam.

Stroller or carrier?

The Stones River Greenway is built for wheels, and its long, paved stretches are a favorite with jogging stroller families.

• 👶
  Best overallAny stroller

  Paved for most of its length, with a long boardwalk. Expect a few gentle hills.

• 🏃
  Covering milesJogging stroller

  Perfect for longer out-and-backs and crossing to Shelby Bottoms.

• 🧸
  Short walksBaby carrier

  Fine for a short stroll, but the distances here really favor a stroller.

Trailheads and parking

There are several free places to park and hop on:

• Two Rivers Park, 2320 Two Rivers Parkway, near the skate park. Closest to the pedestrian bridge to Shelby Bottoms.
• YMCA Trailhead, 3001 Lebanon Pike. A one-mile connector trail leads from here to the main greenway.
• Heartland Park, 3135 Heartland Drive. A good middle-of-the-trail start.
• J. Percy Priest Dam, 3734 Bell Road, at the southern end. Visitors report water and restrooms here.
• Stewarts Ferry Pike, with parking near the southern end of the greenway.

Bridges and short sections have closed for repairs in the past, with detours. Check the Metro Parks closures page before you go, especially if you’re planning a long walk.

Pick a section

• 🌉
  River and bridgeTwo Rivers to the pedestrian bridge

  Start at Two Rivers Park and roll to the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge and back. Short, scenic and close to playgrounds.

• 🌲
  Shady and calmHeartland Park and the boardwalk

  Start at Heartland Park and head toward the long wooden boardwalk along the river bank. Our pick for a quiet, wooded walk.

• 🏞️
  Big viewsPercy Priest Dam out and back

  Start at the dam, enjoy the views and turn around after a mile or two. Restrooms at the start make it easy.

• 💪
  Feeling strongBridge to Shelby Bottoms

  Cross the pedestrian bridge into Shelby Bottoms for a long, flat day across two greenways.

Every section is out and back unless you have a friend with a second car. Decide on a turnaround time before you start, so you have plenty of energy (and snacks) for the walk home.

The pedestrian bridge

The Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge is one of our favorite things about this greenway. It spans the river between Two Rivers Park and Shelby Bottoms, so you can walk from Donelson to East Nashville without ever touching a road. Just before it, the trail passes through a tunnel under Briley Parkway painted with a big, colorful mural called The Bridging of Two Rivers. Toddlers love both.

Our Shelby Bottoms Greenway guide covers the other side of the bridge.

Stretch by stretch

Roughly what to expect along the greenway, from the Cumberland River end to Percy Priest Dam.

• The northern end. The Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge, the mural tunnel under Briley Parkway and Two Rivers Park, with the skate park and lots going on.
• The middle. Wooded stretches along the river, Heartland Park and the long boardwalk on the riverbank southeast of Stones River Bend Park. The trail crosses the Stones River twice on pedestrian bridges.
• The southern end. About three miles from the dam, the one-mile YMCA trail branches off toward Lebanon Pike. The greenway finishes near J. Percy Priest Dam, with big views close to the lake.

Pick one stretch per walk. Each one is a lovely out-and-back on its own.

All about Two Rivers Park

The northern end of the greenway runs through Two Rivers Park, a 374-acre park that Metro Parks says has more recreation activities than any other park in Nashville.

• Wave Country, a seasonal water park with a wave pool and a kids’ area.
• The skate park, a fun watch for toddlers who love wheels.
• A golf course and disc golf, plus open fields and picnic spots.
• Two Rivers Dog Park, for the four-legged member of the family.
• Two Rivers Mansion, the historic home and grounds, with seasonal tours.

Combine it with Shelby Bottoms

The Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge links the Stones River Greenway to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, so you can walk from Donelson into East Nashville without touching a road. A short out-and-back from Two Rivers Park across the bridge is one of the prettiest walks in the city, with wide views up and down the river. Our Shelby Bottoms guide covers the other side.

Restrooms and water

Restrooms are mostly at the parks along the trail, not on the trail itself. Visitors report working restrooms and water at the Percy Priest Dam end, and Two Rivers Park has facilities around its main recreation areas. Plan your bathroom stops around trailheads, bring a portable changing pad and carry more water than you think you need in summer.

Playgrounds

• Two Rivers Park is a 374-acre park with more activities than almost any park in Nashville: a skate park, a golf course, a dog park, the Wave Country water park in summer and play areas for kids.
• Stones River Bend Park sits on a big bend in the river along the greenway, with a playground, a basketball court and an outdoor workout station.
• Heartland Park is another easy stop along the way with open space for a snack break.

Feeding and nap stops

Good places to pause along the greenway:

• The boardwalk. Shady, calm and right on the river.
• Stones River Bend Park. A natural break point with a playground and benches.
• Two Rivers Park. Lots of open space near the start or end of a walk from the Donelson side.

Feeding in public is your right in Tennessee, and the greenway’s quieter stretches make it easy to settle in.

Accessibility

The greenway is paved asphalt for most of its length, with a smooth boardwalk section. A few notes:

• Expect some hills. Riders describe parts of the trail as hilly. Short sections near trailheads are the gentlest.
• Plan around restrooms. Facilities are at parks and trailheads, not on the trail.
• Check closures. Bridge and trail repairs have caused detours in the past, which can mean unpaved or street-level workarounds.

What you’re seeing

The greenway passes some of Nashville’s oldest history.

• 🏠
  1859Two Rivers Mansion

  An Italianate mansion in Two Rivers Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the 1802 House, one of Nashville’s oldest brick houses, beside it. Friends of Two Rivers offers seasonal tours.

• 🏰
  1918Stone Hall

  A Colonial Revival home on the bluffs of the Stones River at Ravenwood Park.

• 🎨
  ArtThe Bridging of Two Rivers

  The mural in the tunnel under Briley Parkway, near the pedestrian bridge.

• 🌊
  LakeJ. Percy Priest Lake

  The greenway’s southern end sits near the dam that forms this 14,200-acre lake.

The land around Two Rivers was once a large plantation where enslaved people lived and worked. Friends of Two Rivers offers programs that share that history, too.

Coffee and food

There aren’t cafés on the greenway itself. Donelson and Hermitage have coffee shops and family-friendly restaurants a short drive from most trailheads, and the shops near the Lebanon Pike and Heartland areas make it easy to grab something before or after. On a long walk, pack snacks and plenty of water.

Safety and heat

The greenway is long and some stretches are quiet, so plan ahead.

• 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.

Low sections by the river can flood after heavy rain, and bridges sometimes close for repairs. Check Metro Parks closures before a long walk.

Seasons

• SpringLush and green along the river, with lots of birds. After heavy rain, low sections near the water can flood, so check closures.
• SummerHot and humid. Stick to wooded sections like the boardwalk, go early and keep it short.
• FallOur favorite. Cool mornings, golden trees along the river and great views from the dam.
• WinterMostly mild and quiet. Bare trees mean better river views. Boardwalks can be slick on frosty mornings.

Rainy day backups

When the weather turns, try these nearby options:

• Opry Mills, a big indoor mall a short drive from Two Rivers Park, with plenty of room to walk a stroller in air conditioning.
• Two Rivers Mansion tours, when offered. Check Friends of Two Rivers for dates.
• A Donelson library branch, for a free story time and a cool place to sit.

A sample morning

An easy first outing with a baby:

• 7:30 a.m.Park at Heartland Park.
• 7:45 a.m.Walk toward the boardwalk along the river.
• 8:15 a.m.Pause in the shade to feed or rest.
• 8:35 a.m.Turn around and head back.
• 9:15 a.m.Back at the car before the heat builds.

That’s about two to three miles depending on your pace, with a beautiful wooded stretch in the middle.

What to pack

Our short list for the Stones River Greenway 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.
• Extra snacks and water, since the distances are long and services are spread out.

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

Build up over time

With ten miles to choose from, the Stones River Greenway grows with you. Start with a short stretch near Two Rivers or Heartland Park, then add a little each week until a longer walk to the bridge or the dam feels good. If you’re postpartum, let your provider guide how quickly you add distance.

Pro tips

• ⏱️
  DistanceSet a turnaround time

  It’s easy to walk too far on a ten-mile trail. Pick a time to turn around before you start.

• 🚲
  BikesStay right

  It’s a popular trail for cyclists. Keep right and listen for bells.

• 🚽
  BathroomsPlan around trailheads

  Restrooms are at parks along the way, not on the trail.

• 👥
  SafetyWalk with a friend

  Some stretches are quiet and wooded. Go with a friend and share your plans.

• 🐶
  DogsExpect pups

  Two Rivers has a big dog park, so you’ll see plenty of dogs near that end.

• 📍
  Meeting upMeet at the skate park

  “Meet at the Two Rivers skate park lot” is easy to find and close to the bridge.

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 Stones River with us

The Stones River Greenway is one of the places we expect our first Nashville walk clubs to start, with shorter loops for new moms and longer out-and-backs for women who want more miles. 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

• Shelby Bottoms GreenwayEast Nashville · our full stroller guide
• Centennial ParkWest End · our full stroller guide
• Richland Creek GreenwaySylvan Park · our full stroller guide