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Stream from Tunnel

Plan Your Visit

Directions
Located off U.S. Hwy. 70 in Cheatham County.
PDF Map of the Park

Park Activities


Boating

Points of Interest


  Mound Bottom - Ancient Indian Ceremonial Center
  Newsom's Mill Ruins
  Montgomery Bell Ironworks
  Montgomery Bell State Park

This unique linear park located along the Harpeth River in Middle Tennessee offers natural, cultural, and recreational day use areas rich in historic significance and natural beauty. Canoe access areas are located at all sites (excluding archeological areas) providing beginner and advanced paddlers opportunities to float this beautiful class II river. Bring your own canoe or kayak or call local commercial outfitters for trip information and boat rentals.

Whether you enjoy the thrill of fly fishing or spin casting, the river hosts large and small mouth bass, bream, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and other game fish. Remember all Tennessee state fishing and boating rules apply. For your hiking and wildlife viewing pleasure, enjoy the solitude and tranquility of several miles of easy to difficult trails meandering through wildflower meadows, lush forests, and along majestic bluffs. At the Narrows of the Harpeth three trails originate at a common trailhead near the park entrance. A two mile bluff overlook trail includes a steep ascent to a narrow bluff offering hikers a panoramic view of the Harpeth Valley. A half-mile trail along the backside of the limestone bluff leads to the site of Montgomery Bell's Pattison Forge where a small waterfall is all that remains of the iron forge operation. Another half-mile trail connects the canoe launch area to the canoe take-out parking area at the Harris Street Bridge Access Area. At the Gossett Tract there are two trails. A one mile trail circles a meadow and another one mile trail winds along the river providing a glimpse of Mound Bottom Archeological Site. At Hidden Lake a one mile trail meanders around and through a wildflower meadow. Another trail offers a half-mile hike through the forest and along majestic bluffs to a small lake with a one mile spur trail ascending to the top of a ridge where the remains of an old marble dance floor are all that remain of a 1940's resort.

Picnic tables and grills are available at Newsom's Mill Historic Site, The Harris Street Bridge Access Area, and The Gossett Tract. Restroom facilities and a park office or visitor center are not available at any location at his time. Handicap accessibility and parking is limited at all locations. Motor coaches, larger than 15 passenger vans, will have difficulty maneuvering along narrow tree lined winding roads and negotiating small parking areas at most locations. Swimmers may wade or swim at their own risk in the river. However, rock climbing, rappelling, bicycling, four-wheeling, horseback riding orienteering, camping, metal detecting, hunting, and collecting or disturbing plants, wildlife or artifacts are among a few activities not permitted in the park. Artifacts uncovered during an early 1970's excavation of Mound Bottom are on display inside the park office at Montgomery Bell State Park.

Self-guided interpretive signs are posted at most sites. Guided tours of The Narrows, Newsom's Mill, Hidden Lake and Mace Bluff are offered throughout the year by reservation. Guided tours of Mound Bottom are offered November through March by reservation. For program reservation information call 615-797-6096.

Boating

The Harpeth Scenic River Complex includes canoe accesses at the U.S. Hwy. 100 Bridge, the 1862 Newsom's Mill ruins, and at the McCrory Lane Bridge at Hidden Lake. Downstream, the Narrows of the Harpeth provides an upstream and downstream access, the Bell's Bend five mile float and a unique 1/4 mile portage.

Tennessee Boating Regulations (exit TDEC)