What Is Radnor Lake?
- 2 sections
- 1 table
- 1 source cited
Radnor Lake is a 1,368-acre state natural area in Oak Hill, a small city inside Davidson County, with five miles of unpaved trails through the woods around the lake (Wikipedia). The Louisville and Nashville Railroad created the lake in 1914 to water steam locomotives and livestock pens. In 1923, a railroad executive declared it a “Wildlife Sanctuary” at the request of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. After a 1962 sale for development stalled, public pressure led the state to buy it in 1973. It is a Class II State Natural Area, which means day use only, with no camping or picnicking. Otter Creek Road, which runs through the middle, is closed to traffic. By road, a point at the park measured 7.7 miles and about 15 minutes from Lower Broadway on the OSRM route planner in October 2026.
Radnor Lake at a Glance
| What the source says | |
|---|---|
| Size | 1,368 acres |
| Trails | five miles of unpaved trails around the lake; Otter Creek Road through the middle is closed to traffic |
| Use | day use only; no camping or picnicking |
| History | lake built by the L&N Railroad in 1914; wildlife sanctuary from 1923; bought by the state in 1973 |
| Wildlife | river otters, beavers, mink, muskrat, wild turkey, bald eagle, bobcat, coyote, white-tailed deer, and waterfowl |
| Aviary | the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center houses injured, non-releasable birds such as owls, hawks, and eagles |
| Visitor center | open Thursday through Monday |
Source: Wikipedia. Check Tennessee State Parks for current hours and rules before you go.
Visiting
- Plan a walk, not a picnic; food spreads and camping are not allowed.
- Go early if you want quieter trails and a better chance at wildlife.
- Pick a trail length: other trails around the city are compared in the best hiking trails in Nashville.
Neighborhoods close to the park are in the best neighborhoods for outdoor activities in Nashville.