Most people heading to the Nashville area for a ride default to Percy Warner or the big-name loops at Montgomery Bell. They aren't wrong, honestly. Those trails are classics for a reason. But if you’re looking for that specific mix of flowy lakeside views and technical limestone punch, you basically have to head over to Long Hunter State Park. That is where you’ll find the Jones Mill mountain bike trail. It’s tucked away. It’s rugged in spots. And frankly, it’s one of the few places in the region where you can actually feel like you've escaped the suburban sprawl without driving three hours toward the plateau.
The trail isn’t just one big loop. It’s a series of interconnected paths—primarily the Day Loop and the Volunteer Trail—that wind through the cedar glades characteristic of this part of Tennessee. If you’ve never ridden in a cedar glade, prepare for a weirdly beautiful landscape. The soil is thin. The rock is everywhere. Because the limestone is so close to the surface, the drainage is surprisingly good, though the "Bryant Grove" sections can get a bit swampy if the Cumberland River is running high or we’ve had a week of solid rain.
What to Expect on the Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. You aren't looking at massive elevation gains here. This isn't the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, the Jones Mill mountain bike trail is a "leg burner" in a different sense. It’s constant micro-climbing. You’re up, you’re down, you’re dodging a cedar root, and then you’re powering over a limestone ledge. It’s rhythmic.
The trail is officially rated as intermediate, but that’s a bit of a broad stroke. If you stay on the main paths, a beginner with decent cardio will have a blast. If you start pushing the pace on the back sections of the loop, the jagged rock turns into a game of "pick the line or lose a derailleur." I’ve seen plenty of riders underestimate the "flatter" sections only to realize their heart rate is at 170 because they’ve been out of the saddle for twenty minutes straight trying to clear technical gaps.
The Terrain Breakdown
The ground here is unique. Because it's part of Long Hunter State Park, you’re riding over a prehistoric lakebed. This means the rocks are flat, slippery when wet, and sharp.
- Cedar Glade Sections: Open areas with thin grass and lots of exposed rock. It gets hot here in the summer. Like, really hot. The sun bounces off the limestone and cooks you from below.
- Deep Woods: The canopy thickens up as you move away from the shoreline. This is where the flow improves. You get some actual dirt—actual tacky, delicious Tennessee clay—instead of just rock gardens.
- Lakeside Views: There are moments where the trail hugs the edge of Percy Priest Lake. Stop there. Seriously. The view of the water through the trees is the best reward for the climb.
Why Locals Choose This Over Other Trails
Go to any bike shop in Nashville—like Cumberland Transit or Trace Bikes—and ask about Jones Mill. They’ll tell you it’s the "tech" alternative. While trails like Lock 4 offer high-speed flow and manicured berms, Jones Mill feels a bit more "raw." It’s a Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) maintained trail, so the work put in by SORBA Middle Tennessee is evident. They’ve done an incredible job armor plating the wet spots with rock so the trail stays sustainable.
But there is a catch. It’s a multi-use area. You’re going to see hikers. You might see a stray dog (hopefully on a leash). You have to be cool. The "yield to hikers" rule isn't just a suggestion here; it’s the only way we keep access to these trails. Most hikers stick to the first mile or two, so if you can get past the initial "crowds" near the trailhead, you’ll usually have the back half of the loop to yourself.
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Gear Recommendations for the Glades
Don't bring a road bike. Don't even bring a gravel bike unless you’re some kind of masochist who enjoys replacing rims.
A hardtail is actually a very viable weapon at the Jones Mill mountain bike trail. Because the climbs are short and punchy, the efficiency of a hardtail helps a lot. However, your lower back might hate you after two laps of vibrating over limestone chatter. Most regulars are on short-travel trail bikes. Something with 120mm to 140mm of travel is the "Goldilocks" zone. You want something snappy enough to navigate tight trees but plush enough to soak up the square-edged rocks that populate the Volunteer Trail sections.
Tire pressure is everything. Run it too high, and you’ll bounce off the rocks like a pinball. Run it too low, and you’re begging for a pinch flat or a burped tire on a sharp ledge. If you’re tubeless (and you really should be in Middle Tennessee), try dropping 2-3 PSI lower than what you’d run at a smoother park.
Seasonality and Timing
Spring and Fall are the peak. Obviously. The colors in October around the lake are incredible.
Winter riding is actually decent here because of that limestone drainage I mentioned earlier. While other red-clay trails in the area (like Chickasaw Trace) turn into a peanut butter mess that ruins drivetrains, Jones Mill stays relatively rideable. Just stay off the low-lying "sinkhole" spots if it’s been a monsoon.
Summer is a different beast. If you’re riding Jones Mill in July, start at 7:00 AM. By noon, the humidity coming off Percy Priest Lake combined with the heat-trapping cedar glades makes the air feel like a damp wool blanket. It’s brutal. Pack more water than you think you need. There isn't a convenient water fountain three miles into the woods.
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Navigating the Loops
The trail system is roughly divided into two main loops. Most riders start on the primary access and head toward the "back" loop.
- The Intro: Relatively flat, gets your legs moving.
- The Connector: This is where you decide if you're doing a quick 4-mile spin or committing to the full 8-10 mile experience.
- The Back Loop: More technical. More isolation. This is where the best lake overlooks are hidden.
One thing that trips people up is the signage. It’s generally good, but in the glades, the "trail" can sometimes look like a wide expanse of rock. Look for the blazes on the trees. If you haven't seen a marker in two minutes, you might have wandered onto a social trail or a dry creek bed. It happens. Just backtrack.
The Reality of Riding at Long Hunter
Let’s be real for a second: Jones Mill isn't a "destination" trail in the sense that you’d fly from Colorado to ride it. It’s a high-quality regional gem. It’s the kind of trail that makes living in Middle Tennessee great. It offers a physical challenge that rewards consistency over raw speed.
There’s also the wildlife. I’ve seen more deer at Jones Mill than at almost any other trail in the state. I’ve also seen the occasional copperhead sunning itself on the rocks. They won’t bother you if you don't bother them, but keep your eyes peeled if you’re stopping for a snack break on a rock pile.
Actionable Steps for Your First Visit
If you’re planning to hit the Jones Mill mountain bike trail this weekend, here is how you do it right.
Check the trail status first. Join the "MORC" or "SORBA Mid-TN" social media groups or check their website. If it’s closed due to rain, respect it. Riding on wet Tennessee clay creates ruts that take hundreds of volunteer hours to fix.
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Download a map. Cell service is mostly fine because you’re near the city, but having a downloaded map on Trailforks or AllTrails is a smart move. The intersections can get confusing if you’re tired and losing light.
Park at the right spot. The trailhead for Jones Mill is located off Couchville Pike. Don't just GPS "Long Hunter State Park" or you’ll end up at the main office or the swimming area, which is miles away from the bike-legal dirt. You want the Jones Mill Trailhead parking lot specifically.
Post-ride recovery. You’re only about 20 minutes from Mt. Juliet or South Nashville. There are plenty of spots to grab a burger and a beer. Most riders head toward the local breweries in the area to swap stories about the "one rock" that almost ended their day.
Bring a spare tube. Even if you’re tubeless. The rocks here are unforgiving. A sidewall tear is a real possibility if you’re aggressive with your lines. Having a plug kit and a backup tube can be the difference between a fun ride and a four-mile walk in stiff cycling shoes.
Go ride it. It’s quiet, it’s crunchy, and it’s a perfect slice of Tennessee wilderness. Just watch out for the hikers near the start, and keep your weight back when you’re dropping off those limestone ledges. You’ll be fine. Probably. Regardless, the view of the sunset over Percy Priest from the bluff is worth the effort every single time.