You’re driving through East Nashville, dodging potholes and trying to find a parking spot near Five Points, and then—bam. You turn down Davidson Street, go under the train tracks, and suddenly it's like the city just gave up and let the forest win.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a shock.
That’s Shelby Bottoms Greenway, a 960-acre slice of river-bottom swamp and hardwood forest that feels way too wild to be four miles from the neon chaos of Broadway. Most people think it’s just a flat paved path for folks in spandex to bike too fast on. They’re kinda wrong. It is that, sure, but it’s also a place where you can find yourself staring at a Pileated Woodpecker that looks like a prehistoric dinosaur while the distant hum of a Nissan Titan reminds you that you're still in Davidson County.
Why the "Bottoms" part actually matters
The name isn't just a quirky Southernism. These are literal bottomlands. We're talking about a massive floodplain for the Cumberland River. Back in the day, this was all agricultural land—corn, mostly. But because it's a giant bowl that catches water every time the Cumberland gets moody, it wasn't exactly prime real estate for high-rise condos.
Thank god for that.
Now, it’s one of the most important ecological sponges in Middle Tennessee. When the 2010 flood hit Nashville, Shelby Bottoms did exactly what it was designed to do: it soaked up a staggering amount of water, saving nearby neighborhoods from even worse damage.
The layout of the land
The greenway itself is roughly 960 acres, but it connects to the 336-acre Shelby Park. If you’re counting, that’s over 1,300 acres of green space.
- The Main Paved Trail: This is about 4 miles one-way, stretching from the Nature Center up toward the massive pedestrian bridge.
- The Primitive Trails: There are over 5 miles of unpaved, "mulchy" trails. This is where you go if you want to lose the crowds.
- Cornelia Fort Airpark: A defunct 1940s airport that the city swallowed up in 2011. It’s now a giant paved loop where you can literally walk on the runway.
Cornelia Fort: The airport that wouldn't die
You can't talk about Shelby Bottoms Greenway without talking about the airpark. It's weird. You’re walking through the woods and suddenly you emerge onto a massive asphalt runway.
It was named after Cornelia Fort, a Nashville socialite turned WWII pilot who was the first American woman to die on active military duty. The airport operated for decades—Patsy Cline’s manager was flying there when her plane tragically crashed elsewhere—but the 2010 flood finally did the runway in.
Today? It’s arguably the best place in Nashville to teach a kid to ride a bike.
The runway is 3,500 feet of flat, wide-open space. No cars. No hills. Just the occasional "Pickin' Party" in the summer where bluegrass bands play on the old hangar porches and people drink local beer while the sun sets over the trees. If you're looking for the soul of East Nashville, it’s usually hanging out at Cornelia Fort on a Tuesday evening.
Wildlife you’ll actually see (if you’re quiet)
Because this is a wetland, the biodiversity is ridiculous. You aren't just seeing squirrels and the occasional stray cat.
✨ Don't miss: Guatemala Currency to US: Why the Quetzal is Weirder (and More Stable) Than You Think
- Deer: They are everywhere. They're so used to humans that they'll basically walk right up to the path and judge your choice of running shoes.
- Great Blue Herons: These guys hang out in the marshes near the Hidden Pond observation deck. They look like statues until they move.
- The Barred Owls: If you’re there at dusk, you’ll hear the "Who cooks for you?" call.
- Coyotes: Yeah, they live here. They generally stay away from the paved paths, but you’ll see their tracks on the primitive trails.
If you’re a birder, bring the good binoculars. According to eBird data, over 200 species have been spotted here. It’s a major stopover on the Mississippi Flyway.
The connection everyone forgets
A lot of people hit the end of the Shelby Bottoms paved path and turn around. Don’t do that.
If you keep going North, you hit the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge. It’s a massive, soaring structure that connects East Nashville to the Donelson area. From there, you can jump onto the Stones River Greenway.
Technically, if you have the legs for it, you could bike from downtown Nashville all the way to Percy Priest Lake without ever sharing the road with a car. That’s a 30-mile round trip. It’s the closest thing we have to a "superhighway" for people who hate traffic.
Some real talk about safety and etiquette
Look, it's a city park. It's generally very safe, especially during the day when it's crowded. But let’s be honest—it’s 1,000 acres of woods.
Pro-tip: The parking lot by the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center (1900 Davidson St.) is usually the safest bet. There's often a park ranger or security around. The trailhead at Forrest Green Drive is a bit more secluded.
And for the love of everything, if you’re on a bike, call out your passes. "On your left!" isn't just a suggestion. There are kids, dogs on 6-foot leashes (it's the law, by the way), and people wearing noise-canceling headphones who have no idea you're coming up behind them at 15 mph.
Practical stuff for your visit
The Nature Center is the hub. It’s got clean bathrooms, water fountains, and some cool exhibits about the local turtles. Just remember their hours are a bit specific:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday & Monday: Closed (The trails are still open, but the building is locked).
If the Nature Center lot is full—and on a sunny Saturday, it will be—head over to the Cornelia Fort entrance. It’s usually got more breathing room.
What to do next
If you want to actually experience the park like a local, skip the main paved trail for once. Park at the Nature Center, but immediately hook a right onto the primitive trails (look for the woodchip paths). Follow them toward the river. You’ll find small overlooks where you can watch the General Jackson riverboat paddle by, and you’ll feel like you’ve actually escaped the city for an hour.
Check the Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms website before you go. They frequently host volunteer days or guided "Owl Prowls" at night. Seeing the bottoms in the dark with a naturalist is a completely different vibe—creepy, cool, and totally worth the registration.
Once you’re done, drive five minutes back into East Nashville and grab a sandwich at Mitchell Delicatessen. It’s basically the unofficial post-Greenway tradition.