Bledsoe Creek Highlights
Notification Alert
Construction in the Park
Due to upgrades within the park, there will be ongoing construction noise from 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday. The estimated completion date for this project is the summer of 2026.
A Lakeside Haven
Bledsoe Creek State Park, a verdant escape on the shores of Old Hickory Lake, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. From its tranquil waters to its scenic trails, this park invites you to discover the stories etched into its landscape. Curious to uncover the secrets held within its 169 acres? Explore the wonders that await!
Discover Bledsoe Creek State Park
Bledsoe Creek State Park owes its existence to a vision of preserving precious natural space for generations to come. The park's story is intertwined with the legacy of Anthony and Isaac Bledsoe, local long hunters who roamed these lands in the 18th century. Their spirit of exploration and connection to the land live on in the park's trails and waterways. Today, Bledsoe Creek State Park stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the Tennessee wilderness, offering a sanctuary for both nature and history enthusiasts.
History
Established in 1973, Bledsoe Creek State Park has a rich history that predates its official designation.
Before becoming a state park, the land served as farmland and hunting grounds for Indigenous Peoples, including the Cherokee, Chickamauga, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. These tribes historically used the area for hunting and sustenance.
The park name pays homage to Anthony and Isaac Bledsoe, two brothers who were prominent long hunters and settlers in the region. The Bledsoe brothers played a significant role in the early exploration and settlement of Middle Tennessee.
The area also holds transportation significance, as Avery's Trace, an important road for settlers traveling between Nashville and Knoxville, passed through this area. Products such as animal pelts, grains, and tobacco were shipped from a port in the nearby town of Cairo to New Orleans.
From the Rangers
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The Perfect Day
Start your day with a hike along the High Ridge and Shoreline Trail loop, beginning at the Connector Trail across from the Visitor Center. Take the High Ridge Trail to the right, descending the steep stairs connecting the two trails. Younger guests can explore the storybook route on the Mayo Wix Trail, located behind the Visitor Center.
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Insider Information
For a truly unique experience, keep an eye out for the grove of pawpaw trees where the High Ridge Trail meets the Connector Trail. As dusk settles, listen for the calls of barred owls around the Mayo Wix Trail, or spot blue herons and egrets in the protected wetland area.
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Know Before You Go
When traveling to Bledsoe Creek State Park with an RV, it is best to enter the park via Highway 25, choosing Airport Road or Highway 231, depending on the direction from which you are coming. Guests should avoid Brights Lane, Cairo Road, and Gallatin Square (East Main Street). Also note that cell service is intermittent throughout the park.
Land and Water
Trails
Explore over four miles of trails that wind through diverse landscapes, from hardwood forests to shorelines. One mile of these trails is paved, making it accessible to persons with disabilities. The 1.3-mile High Ridge Trail offers a moderate challenge with a 120-foot elevation change, while the Shoreline Trail provides scenic vistas of Old Hickory Lake.
Water Features
Old Hickory Lake is a hub of activity, offering opportunities for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Bledsoe Creek offers two boat launch ramps and three courtesy docks. The park also features a protected wetland area, visible from the Observation Boardwalk, the Shoreline Trail, or the Birdsong Trail, providing an essential ecosystem for various flora and fauna to prosper.
Plants
Discover a variety of flora at Bledsoe Creek State Park, from wildflowers to towering trees.
Visit the Pollinator Garden, located near the Visitor Center, where native plants are showcased. The garden also serves as a Monarch Waystation.
Plant Types
- Buttercups
- Red Oak
- Sassafras
- Toothwort
- Bald Cypress
- Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba)
- Sweetgum
- White Oak
- Woodland Phlox
Birds
Bledsoe Creek is a small park located in the state’s Central Basin on the shore of impounded Bledsoe Creek, a tributary of Old Hickory Lake.
Over four and a half miles of trails take visitors from the lakeshore to a high ridgetop. From these locations, a variety of birds, ranging from waders and wintering waterfowl to transient and nesting songbirds, may be observed. One hundred and sixteen species have been recorded at the park.
Bird Species
- American Coot
- Eastern Kingbird
- Eastern Towhee
- Louisiana Waterthrush
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Summer Tanager
- American Goldfinch
- Bald Eagle
- Barred Owl
- Belted Kingfisher
- Black Vulture
- Black-and-White Warbler
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
- Bufflehead
- Canada Goose
- Cattle Egret
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Downy Woodpecker
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Great Egret
- Green Heron
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Horned Lark
- Indigo Bunting
- Kentucky Warbler
- Killdeer
- Lesser Scaup
- Mallard
- Northern Cardinal
- Northern Parula
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Osprey
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Purple Martin
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Scarlet Tanager
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Song Sparrow
- Swamp Sparrow
- Tennessee Warbler
- Turkey Vulture
- White-throated Sparrow
- Wild Turkey
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo
- Yellow-breasted Chat
- Yellow-throated Warbler
Animals
Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that call Bledsoe Creek and the protected wetland area home.
Animal Species
- Deer
- Opossums
- Squirrels
- Turtles
- Raccoon
Inspiration
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Wonderful Winter Hikes in Tennessee
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