Henry Horton Highlights
Warning Alert
Ongoing Construction at Henry Horton State Park
In anticipation of our new lodge opening, there will be a significant impact on the roads and traffic patterns within Henry Horton State Park. We ask that visitors please use caution and follow all road signs while traveling throughout the park's day-use area. A fence will surround the main construction area.
Guests visiting the Visitor Center, Restaurant, Cabins, Shelters, and Conference Hall should expect modified traffic flow and clearly marked detour routes. With construction underway, guests may experience periods of loud construction noise.
Please note:
- Some roads in the lodge area are temporarily closed.
- All guests should follow posted DETOUR signage throughout the park.
- Traffic patterns near the Lodge, Visitor Center, and Day-Use Parking have been adjusted.
- A construction fence surrounds active work zones.
- Guests may experience periods of loud construction noise.
- Please drive slowly and use extra caution when traveling through the park.
Our team will be on-site assisting with directions and parking adjustments to help make your visit as smooth as possible.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we begin these exciting enhancements to Henry Horton State Park. We look forward to sharing more soon!
If you have any questions or need assistance during this time, please call the lodge at 931-364-2222 or the park office at 931-364-7724. We look forward to welcoming you!
A Legacy Etched in Nature
Picture yourself kayaking the gentle currents of the Duck River, surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of nature. Imagine yourself hiking the historic Wilhoite Mill Trail, tracing the footsteps of the Wilhoite family and discovering the remnants of a mill that once served as a vital local industry. Envision yourself camping under a canopy of stars, breathing in the fresh air, and feeling a sense of peace and tranquility wash over you.
Henry Horton State Park offers all of this and more. It's a place where you can reconnect with nature, learn about history, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether you're an avid outdoorsman, a history buff, or simply seeking a peaceful escape, Henry Horton State Park has something to offer everyone.
Discover Henry Horton State Park
Established in 1961, Henry Horton State Park's origins lie in the estate of Henry Hollis Horton, governor of Tennessee from 1927 to 1933. Nestled along one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America, the park embodies Horton's love for the land and his desire to share its beauty with others.
History
Henry Horton State Park's history is deeply intertwined with the life and legacy of Henry Hollis Horton.
Henry Hollis Horton (February 17, 1866 – July 2, 1934) was an American attorney, farmer, and politician who served as the 36th Governor of Tennessee from 1927 to 1933. He was elevated to the position when Governor Austin Peay died in office, and as Speaker of the Tennessee Senate, he was first in the line of succession. He was subsequently elected to two more two-year terms. After a life in politics, Horton returned to his farm, where he raised livestock and cultivated crops.
After his death in 1934, the state of Tennessee acquired a portion of Horton's estate, with the vision of creating a state park that would honor his memory and provide recreational opportunities for the public. In 1961, Henry Horton State Park officially opened its gates, welcoming visitors to explore its natural beauty and learn about its rich history.
One of the park's most notable historic features is the Wilhoite Mill Trail which winds past the remnants of a mill and bridge that were once operated by the Wilhoite family, the family of Governor Horton's wife. This mill served as an important local industry for over a century, grinding grain for farmers throughout the region.
Today, Henry Horton State Park is a living tribute to Henry Hollis Horton's vision and legacy. It's a place where visitors can connect with nature, learn about history, and create lasting memories with family and friends.
From the Rangers
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The Perfect Day
Start your day with a scenic hike along one of the park's many trails, each offering a unique perspective of the park's natural beauty. After your hike, during the summer months, cool off with a refreshing kayak or tubing trip down the Duck River, taking in the sights and sounds of this biologically diverse waterway. Stop for a meal at the Restaurant and Lounge, then end your day with a relaxing evening at the campground, where you can roast marshmallows, share stories, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Tennessee wilderness.
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Insider Information
Tucked away in the southern portion of the park, the multi-sport area is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Home of the South Horton Trail System, this area was designed with beginner mountain bikers and families in mind. The multi-sport area also features trap and skeet shooting and archery.
The Buford Ellington championship golf course at Henry Horton State Park is a challenging course, heavily treed with hardwoods and containing 37 bunkers.
Henry Horton also offers a versatile and varied selection of meeting spaces for events. Overhead projectors, microphones with speakers, flipcharts, easels and dry erase boards may be reserved and an LCD projector is available for daily rental. Catering is offered by The Restaurant.
Know Before You Go
When planning your visit to Henry Horton State Park, keep in mind that cell service can be limited in some areas, particularly with T-Mobile and AT&T. However, Wi-Fi is available at the Lodge, Visitor Center, campground, restaurant, and multi-sport facility. If you're traveling with an RV, be sure to turn west onto River Road off the Nashville Highway and travel one mile, until you reach the camp store on the left.
The range is made up of four trap fields, five combination trap and skeet fields, and a four-target point archery range. By offering a selection of skeet, trap, wobble trap, and archery, the Henry Horton Trap and Skeet Range provides a quality shooting experience for beginner to expert shooters. Our rustic multi-sport lodge offers gun rentals, ammunition sales, a gift shop, and a lounge area. There is also an outside pavilion with restrooms located on the grounds.
Land and Water
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Water Features
The Duck River is the lifeblood of Henry Horton State Park, providing opportunities for kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The river's gentle currents and lush surroundings make it a perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature.
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Trails
Henry Horton State Park boast 20 miles of trails, each offering a unique experience for hikers of all skill levels. From the sink holes along the Hickory Ridge trails to the hills and hardwoods of the South Horton Trail System, there is a trail for everyone to explore the park's natural beauty.
Plants
Explore the diverse flora of Henry Horton State Park, from the towering trees that shade the campground to smaller plants that bloom along the trails.
Talk to a Park Ranger to learn more about the unique plant life that thrives in this area.
Plant Types
- Mixed Hardwoods
- Hickory
- Wildflowers (General)
Birds
Henry Horton is a 1,523-acre park set in the gently rolling to flat open terrain of Tennessee’s Central Basin.
Habitats range from Limestone Cedar Glades to mature deciduous forests interspersed with fields and young woodlands. The Duck River bisects the park, giving places for herons and kingfishers to hunt for food. The park is home to over 70 species throughout the year.
Bird Species
- American Goldfinch
- American Redstart
- Bald Eagle
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Barred Owl
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Blue-winged Warbler
- Carolina Chickadee
- Downy Woodpecker
- Eastern Bluebird
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Eastern Phoebe
- Eastern Screech-Owl
- Eastern Towhee
- Field Sparrow
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Great Horned Owl
- Green Heron
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Indigo Bunting
- Kentucky Warbler
- Louisiana Waterthrush
- Northern Bobwhite
- Northern Flicker
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Prairie Warbler
- Scarlet Tanager
- Song Sparrow
- Summer Tanager
- Tufted Titmouse
- Turkey Vulture
- Bay-breasted Warbler
- Wild Turkey
- Flycatchers
- Waterfowl
- Wood Thrush
- Yellow-breasted Chat
Animals
Keep an eye out for the diverse fauna calling Henry Horton State Park home.
Park Rangers are happy to share information about the animals that live in this area.
Animal Species
- Woodchuck (Groundhog)
- Squirrels
- Raccoon
- White-tailed Deer
Inspiration
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