Nashville Canoe and Kayak Spots: Our Top 3 River Recommendations

Let Ryan Yearwood serve as your guide to the best spots to drop in a river around Nashville.

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It’s a known fact that Nashville has become one of the most popular cities in America.  The surge in destination tourism has morphed into a migration shift as people from all over have rushed in to call Music City home. 

This has brought great opportunity to middle Tennessee, but it’s not without a few growing pains.  New development popping up left and right means more modern sights, sounds, and (most importantly) eats.  But when the hustle and bustle becomes too much, especially as we approach the southern summer heat, where can you go for a refreshing break and reconnect with nature?  Simple: try floating one of the many, beautiful rivers this region has to offer. Here’s a quick look at our top three favorite spots near Nashville and where to rent equipment.

The Harpeth River (The Narrows of the Harpeth)

By far the closest and most accessible recreational option to Nashville is the Harpeth River.  As a major tributary of the much larger Cumberland River, the Harpeth stretches over 100 miles through northern-middle Tennessee.  Given its vast coverage, there are many spots which are accessible to canoe/kayak activity, but we’ll focus specifically on the Narrows of the Harpeth. 

The Narrows of the Harpeth, located near Kingston Springs, is a popular spot due to its proximity to Nashville (30 minutes west) and amazing views.  There are multiple options for floating access, depending on your desired trip length, along the five-mile stretch around Bell’s Bend, which also offers a ¼ mile portage.  This means that you can easily take one vehicle and not be bound to car-pooling back and forth if you have your own canoe or kayak. 

The surrounding bluffs, accessible trails, and Montgomery Bell’s Pattison Forge tunnel are just a few of the reasons why this is the most popular float around.  If you’re looking to rent, the below outfitters have you covered:

Our Editor-In-Chief testing the river temps before taking a plunge.

The Caney Fork River (section near 1-40 & Center Hill Lake)

Located just over an hour’s drive east of Nashville, the Caney Fork is a cool and easy float for those hot summer days.  Fed through the Center Hill Dam, this section of the Caney is popular among casual floaters looking to enjoy the cold water flowing at a decent pace from the lake. 

The common put in area is located near the Buffalo Valley Recreation area, with a parking and take out option on Medley Amonette Rd near Interstate 40.  Another option I’ve used in the past was parking at the rest stop/welcome center on I-40, finding a local trail there to avoid congestion on heavily trafficked days.

While in the area, you can check out several other recreation areas (Center Hill, Long Branch, Cove Hollow) as well as Edgar Evins State Park.  These are perfect spots for a peaceful day trip or weekend out of town.

Where to rent on the Caney:

The Piney River

Now onto my favorite river near Nashville: The Piney.  Flowing southeast into the larger Duck River, the Piney River offers a naturally cold float with clear water, surrounded by serene farmland. 

About an hour west of Nashville, this river is typically less crowded than the two options above, but is the best place to go when the summer temps reach their peak.  It’s a popular spot for local families to swim, camp, and take a break on the many gravel-bar beaches to cook up lunch.

Lunch Break

The best section to access and float is off of highway 48, near Pinewood.  The go-to put in spot is off of Piney River Road, which Pinewood Canoe & Camp can provide access to for a small fee, as well as a shuttle service if needed.  This spot puts you about 6 miles up-river from the outfitter, which is a perfect distance to enjoy the Tennessee sun and float at your own pace. 

For Piney River Access and Rentals, check out Pinewood Canoe and Camp. And for a beautiful camping & RV location, check out Piney River Resort.

Ryan Yearwood is the motorsports correspondent for SoBros Network as well as the pioneer and visionary behind SoBros Outdoors. Follow on Twitter: @OutdoorSoBro.

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