Long Hunter Highlights
Notification Alert

Boat House and Fishing Pier Closed Until Further Notice

Long Hunter State Park

Due to safety concerns, the boat house and fishing pier are closed until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the park at 615-885-2422.

  • Bryant Grove Area
    Michael Wessner

    • A Hunter’s Haven

    Nestled on the shores of J. Percy Priest Lake, Long Hunter State Park offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. From hiking along scenic trails to paddling on the tranquil waters, activities offered in this park provide a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Discover the story of the “long hunters” and the unique history that shaped this treasured Tennessee landscape.  

    Discover Long Hunter State Park

    Long Hunter State Park is named in honor of the 18th-century frontiersmen known as “long hunters.” These intrepid explorers embarked on extended hunting and trapping expeditions into the wilderness that often lasted for months or even years. They were drawn to the area by its abundant wildlife and natural resources, blazing trails and mapping the land that would eventually become Tennessee.

    Today, the park stands as a tribute to their pioneering spirit, inviting visitors to explore the same landscapes that captivated these legendary figures. Come and experience the natural beauty that drew these frontiersmen to this region and discover the many stories this park has to offer.  
    A winding trail through a dense forest, surrounded by tall trees and scattered rocks along the path.

    History

    Established in 1974, Long Hunter State Park has a rich history that extends far beyond its official designation.

    The land itself bears witness to centuries of human activity, from the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the area to the early European settlers who followed in their footsteps.  

    Before becoming a state park, the land was primarily used for agriculture and timber harvesting. However, its strategic location along the Stones River (now J. Percy Priest Lake) made it a valuable resource for transportation and trade. During the Civil War, the area saw some military activity, though no major battles were fought within the park's boundaries.  

    The park's establishment in 1976 marked a new chapter in its history, transforming it from a working landscape into a protected natural area. Today, Long Hunter State Park encompasses 2,670 acres of diverse terrain, including forests, fields, and shoreline. It serves as a vital recreational resource for the surrounding communities, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and educational opportunities. 

    From the Rangers

      • Two geese stand on a sandy lakeshore during sunset, with vibrant pink and orange hues.

      The Perfect Day

      Start your day with a refreshing hike along one of the park’s scenic trails, immersing yourself in the beauty of the surrounding forest. As the sun begins to set, enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake shimmering in the golden light.

      • A sunlit forest path leads to a serene lake, framed by dense trees.

      Insider Information 

      Venture off the beaten path and discover the hidden gem of Jones Mill. This lesser-known area of the park offers a tranquil escape from the crowds, with opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area.  

      • A wooden building with large windows and gabled roofs surrounded by trees, with sidewalk

      Know Before You Go

      Cell service within Long Hunter State Park is limited, so plan accordingly. The Visitor Center does offer reliable cell service.  

      The main park gate opens at 5:00 AM daily and closes nightly at 8:00 PM.

    • Long Hunter Education
      Michael Wessner

    Trails

    Long Hunter State Park boasts a network of trails that wind through its diverse terrain, offering something for hikers of all skill levels. From leisurely strolls along the shoreline to challenging climbs through the forest, these trails provide ample opportunities to explore the park's natural beauty.  

    This 2,267-acre park follows 30 miles of shoreline along J. Percy Priest Lake. A two-mile paved loop encircles Couchville Lake. Five other hiking trails are present within three units at various access points. 

    View Available Geo-Referenced Trail Maps

    Water Features

    J. Percy Priest Lake dominates the landscape of Long Hunter State Park, providing a stunning backdrop for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy fishing and swimming in designated areas of Couchville Lake.  

    • People are fishing from a wooden pier extending to a gazebo with a green roof is at the pier's end.

    Art in the Park

    Long Hunter State Park is home to several pieces of artwork and murals created by Nellie Lutzwolf, muralist with WOLF & BELL, LLC and her students at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The work was started in October 2024 and completed and installed in March 2025. The large mural on the visitor center features native cedar glade plants including the Tennessee coneflower, prairie coneflower, long style glade cress, and dropseed grass, a stunning backdrop for narrow-mouth toad and juniper hairstreak butterfly. Lutzwolf also painted some smaller murals that can be found throughout the park on the back of kiosks and rules signs in the Couchville Lake Recreation Area and Upper Bluff parking lot. The students also created wooden cutouts of species native to the park which are listed below along with their locations. 

    • We would like to thank the following people for helping to beautify our park:
      • Natalie Barber - Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - Visitor Center Garden
      • Trinity Brooks - Great Blue Heron - Couchville Lake Recreation Area
      • Jessica Caffey - Green Tree Frog – Jones Mill Multipurpose Trailhead
      • Robbie Dye - Big Brown Bat - Visitor Center
      • Azlyn Goodyke - Common Nighthawk - Welcome Sign near Visitor Center
      • Sydney Higdon - Streamside Salamander - Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area
      • Hayleigh Matheson - Chuck-will’s-widow - Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area
      • Ray Mendoza - Eastern Box Turtle - Visitor Center
      • Jack Miller - Fowler's Toad - Visitor Center
      • Kelly Miller - Hummingbird Moth - Welcome Sign near Visitor Center
      • Thalia Roddy - Luna Moth - Visitor Center Garden
      • Allessandra Thomas - Hooded Merganser - Couchville Lake Recreation Area
      • Heather Waldemar - Red Bat - Visitor Center
      • Noah Wells - Southern Leopard Frog - Couchville Lake Recreation Area
      • Lilly Whorton - Eastern Fence Lizard - Welcome Sign near Visitor Center
      • Marc Bell-Durham - Belted Kingfisher - Visitor Center

    Become a Tennessee Conservationist

    Escape into the stories and insider information about the history and cultures in Tennessee with the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks. Become a Tennessee Conservationist by subscribing today.  

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    Plants

    Long Hunter State Park is home to a diverse array of plant life, from towering trees to delicate wildflowers.

    To learn more about the unique flora of the park, be sure to speak with a Park Ranger during your visit.  

    • Close-up of a vibrant purple thistle flower with spiky petals, set against a blurred background of lush greenery and soft sunlight.

    Plant Types

    • Black Walnut
    • Sycamore (American Sycamore)
    • Boxelder (Acer negundo)
    • Honey Locust
    • Eastern Red Cedar
    • Dogwood (Flowering Dogwood)
    • Sassafras
    • White Oak
    • Redbud (Eastern Redbud)
    • Chinkapin Oak
    • American Elm
    • Common Persimmon
    • Rough-lead Dogwood
    • Shagbark Hickory
    • Shumard Oak
    • Northern Red Oak
    • Eastern Hophornbeam
    • Sugar Maple
    • White Ash
    • September Elm
    • Red Mulberry
    • Southern Buckthorn
    • Eastern Cottonwood
    • Bitternut Hickory
    • Black Willow
    • Black Cherry
    • Carolina Buckthorn
    • Black Gum
    • Mockernut Hickory
    • Black Oak
    • Mexican Plum
    • Green Ash
    • Red Hickory
    • Pignut Hickory
    • Shingle Oak
    • Silver Maple
    • Winged Elm
    • Loblolly Pine
    • Post Oak
    • Hackberry
    • Slippery Elm
    • Rusty Blackbird
    • Blue Ash
    • Shellbark Hickory
    • Southern Shagbark Hickory

    Download Resources

    Birds

    Up to 20 species of waterfowl can be seen on J. Percy Priest Lake in winter.

    These include the common loon, hooded merganser, bufflehead, horned and pied-billed grebe, gadwall, and lesser scaup. Landbird migrants can be abundant in the woods in spring and fall. Killdeer, common nighthawk, and prairie warbler are breeding residents. Over 125 species have been identified. 

    • Heron standing on rocks by a calm lake.

    Bird Species

    • American Goldfinch
    • American Redstart
    • Barred Owl
    • Black-and-White Warbler
    • Black-crowned Night Heron
    • Black Vulture
    • Blue Grosbeak
    • Carolina Wren
    • Cattle Egret
    • Chuck-will’s-widow
    • Common Loon
    • Cooper’s Hawk
    • Double-crested Cormorant
    • Eastern Wood-Pewee
    • Field Sparrow
    • Great Blue Heron
    • Great Crested Flycatcher
    • Great Egret
    • Hooded Merganser
    • Horned Lark
    • Indigo Bunting
    • Killdeer
    • Northern Bobwhite
    • Northern Rough-winged Swallow
    • Orchard Oriole
    • Osprey
    • Pileated Woodpecker
    • Prairie Warbler
    • Prothonotary Warbler
    • Purple Martin
    • Red-bellied Woodpecker
    • Red-eyed Vireo
    • Ring-billed Gull
    • Scarlet Tanager
    • Song Sparrow
    • Summer Tanager
    • Swamp Sparrow
    • Turkey Vulture
    • Vireos
    • Warblers
    • White-eyed Vireo
    • White-throated Sparrow
    • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
    • Yellow-billed Cuckoo
    • Yellow-breasted Chat
    • Yellow Warbler
    • Caspian Tern
    • Common Nighthawk
    • Common Tern
    • Forster's Tern
    • Shorebirds
    • Sora
    • Waders
    • Yellow-throated Vireo

    Birding at Long Hunter

    Find out the best places to explore and catch a glimpse of the large variety of birds found at Long Hunter State Park.  

    Go to Birding Page

    Animals

    Wildlife abounds within the boundaries of Long Hunter State Park, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature.

    Speak with a Park Ranger to learn more about the animals that call this park home. 

    • Five deer with antlers standing in a grassy field.

    Animal Species

    • Raccoon
    • Opossums
    • White-tailed Deer

    Inspiration

    Get Inspired