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Long Hunter State Park
2910 Hobson Pike
Hermitage, TN 37076
Visitor Information:
615-885-2422
Trailhead
The Volunteer Trail in Long Hunter State Park might be one of Middle Tennessee's best kept backpacking secrets.
Snowy Bank
This six mile trail is located less than a 30 minute drive from downtown Nashville just south of Mount Juliet.
Dramatic Sun
The Volunteer Trail follows the lake shore almost its entire length and affords some really interesting lake scenery.
Flower
I'm not sure what this plant is, but there were lots of them along the trail on an early spring trip.
Another Sunset
A storm front coming through gave me this interesting sunset.
Ducks
Snow Trip
I really enjoy a snow backpacking trip. We had several inches to enjoy on this one.
Lake Scenery
This view from the trail is typical of some of the great views.
Yet Another Sunset
Vinca
This is the most awesome wild vinca bed I've run across. The ground cover was in full bloom on this spring trip.
Vinca Flower
Another Sunset
Frozen Sunset
I'm obviously a fan of sunsets...they're one of my favorite aspects of backpacking. The lake setting affords some of the most dramatic sunsets I've seen.
Bed
There are two campsites about 150 yards apart at the end of the Volunteer Trail. Both sites are within a few yards of the lake.
Owl
The variety of wildlife I've run across in Long Hunter rivals or exceeds many of the state's more isolated parks. Deer, fox, squirrels, owls, coyotes, and of course many varieties of waterfowl are present with surprising regularity.
Owl Again
This was my first opportunity to photograph an owl, so, yeah, two pictures.
Max
This was Max's first backpacking trip. I think he had a great time, but then again he never complains no matter what I drag him into so......
Tired Puppy
Rock Wall
Old farm rock walls are fairly common in the south, but this one runs close to the trail and at about six feet tall, was really interesting.
Big Sun
Another Sunset
Fall Colors
Trees and Lake
Another Sunset
Misty Sunrise
Park Map 1 (Courtesy TN State Parks)
Park Map 2 (Courtesy TN State Parks)
