Nashville has long been a tourist destination, especially for lovers of country music. While this is the case, there are also natural areas which most visitors overlook. For example, the Harpeth River State Park and The Nashville Harpeth River can often provide a full day of fun. In addition, the beauty of the lower stream has also won the attention of, and been recognized by, the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act.
Rising west in Rutherford County, near the town of College Grove, the lower portion of the stream has been designated a scenic river. Whereas, the upper stream has been polluted for over 30 years. Locals tend to believe the pollution stems from an old lead smelting plant where automobile batteries and other parts were melted during the 1950s and 1960s.
The upper stream flows west into Franklin, the county seat of Williamson County. Franklin, being a small town which has been considered a suburb of Nashville since the 1960s. As the Harpeth is the source of community drinking water for the region, residents remain concerned, especially with the stream also being the main site for sewage disposal. In order to avoid illness, most residents have purification systems while tourists are advised to bring bottled water, or water purification products.
While residents are concerned, there are aspects of the Harpeth which also provide recreation to the community and tourists. One of which is a Tennessee state park. The park is linear in direction and covers 9 access points along 40 miles of the Harpeth.
In addition to these sites, the park also offers canoeing, kayaking, hiking and fishing along the Harpeth. The area is often the busiest in late Spring and early Summer though as canoe access is located at all access points except in archaeological areas, it is usually easy to get on the water.
The stream is considered a Class I waterway with flows which are appropriate for beginners to advanced rowers. Visitors to the park can bring personal kayaks, canoes and inflatable rafts or rent equipment in nearby Kingston Springs. While there are rental outfitters located along the river, rentals are generally less expensive in town.
It should be noted that access areas are closed during high water events. In addition, it is important to obey all signage as most of the property in the area is private land. As such, visitors to the park are asked to be courteous to landowners by obeying all trespassing laws. Whereas, if caught in violation of these laws, individuals are often subject to fines or jail time.
All areas of the state park are for day use. There are no campfires, overnight parking or camping allowed. By organizing a trip based on hours of operation, visitors can avoid being stuck inside the park when the gates are locked at closing time. In addition, individuals in the park after closing also face the risk of arrest for trespassing.
Rising west in Rutherford County, near the town of College Grove, the lower portion of the stream has been designated a scenic river. Whereas, the upper stream has been polluted for over 30 years. Locals tend to believe the pollution stems from an old lead smelting plant where automobile batteries and other parts were melted during the 1950s and 1960s.
The upper stream flows west into Franklin, the county seat of Williamson County. Franklin, being a small town which has been considered a suburb of Nashville since the 1960s. As the Harpeth is the source of community drinking water for the region, residents remain concerned, especially with the stream also being the main site for sewage disposal. In order to avoid illness, most residents have purification systems while tourists are advised to bring bottled water, or water purification products.
While residents are concerned, there are aspects of the Harpeth which also provide recreation to the community and tourists. One of which is a Tennessee state park. The park is linear in direction and covers 9 access points along 40 miles of the Harpeth.
In addition to these sites, the park also offers canoeing, kayaking, hiking and fishing along the Harpeth. The area is often the busiest in late Spring and early Summer though as canoe access is located at all access points except in archaeological areas, it is usually easy to get on the water.
The stream is considered a Class I waterway with flows which are appropriate for beginners to advanced rowers. Visitors to the park can bring personal kayaks, canoes and inflatable rafts or rent equipment in nearby Kingston Springs. While there are rental outfitters located along the river, rentals are generally less expensive in town.
It should be noted that access areas are closed during high water events. In addition, it is important to obey all signage as most of the property in the area is private land. As such, visitors to the park are asked to be courteous to landowners by obeying all trespassing laws. Whereas, if caught in violation of these laws, individuals are often subject to fines or jail time.
All areas of the state park are for day use. There are no campfires, overnight parking or camping allowed. By organizing a trip based on hours of operation, visitors can avoid being stuck inside the park when the gates are locked at closing time. In addition, individuals in the park after closing also face the risk of arrest for trespassing.
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You can get a detailed overview of the factors to consider when booking Nashville Harpeth River tours at http://www.tip-a-canoe.com/river--trip-info.html right now.