More than 17 miles of trails, bridges and boardwalks make up the Murfreesboro Greenway System. It also offers access to the Stones River, protected wetlands and places where Civil War history is present. This gives you a practical range of options when planning your trip: longer trail routes, a short walk through a wetland or visits focused on history.
Trails by the water and in the Greenway System
Three small boat launches give paddlers access to the Stones River. If you’d rather explore on a trail, there are several routes to choose from: the Stones River Trail follows the West Fork Stones River for 10.5 miles from the Thompson Lane Trailhead to the Barfield Crescent Park Trailhead. The Lytle Creek Trail runs for 1.1 miles along Lytle Creek, from Cannonsburgh Village to Old Fort Park, where it connects to the Stones River Trail.
The shorter distances are useful for comparison, too: a 0.4-mile combined boardwalk and paved path borders the Murfree Spring Wetlands and leads through the wetland. It’s suitable for birdwatching and wildlife photography; interactive signs along the boardwalks provide information about wetland plants and animals. At 0.4 miles, the path is shorter than the 1.1-mile Lytle Creek Trail and the 10.5-mile Stones River Trail.
Wetlands, parks and battlefield
Murfree Spring Wetlands is a protected wetland. The path through it combines boardwalk and paved sections, with signs along the boardwalks focusing on local wildlife and plant life. This makes it a different option for nature watching and photography than the longer trails along the waterways.
Stones River National Battlefield commemorates one of the largest and most significant battles of the American Civil War. It preserves about 670 acres and more than seven miles of trails. All battlefield sites can be reached by car, and most can also be reached by bicycle or on foot. The trails offer opportunities to experience nature; the Murfreesboro Greenway System connects parts of the battlefield for exploring on foot or by bicycle. These are different ways to explore the area, alongside learning about its historical significance.
The history also includes Fortress Rosecrans, the largest earthwork fortification of its kind built during the American Civil War. A 0.9-mile paved loop passes several preserved sections. Curtain Wall No. 1 can be seen on a City of Murfreesboro property along the Lytle Creek Greenway. South of Murfreesboro, Barfield Crescent Park is a 430-acre community park.
Places of history and culture
Historic Cannonsburgh Village depicts about 100 years of early life in Tennessee, from the 1830s to the 1930s. Free self-guided tours give you time to explore the exhibits at your own pace. Oaklands Mansion aims to preserve the mansion and its grounds and share the two centuries of history at the site with a diverse audience. Self-guided tours are available there Tuesday through Friday. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome; check visitor information before your trip.
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is an interactive children’s museum and nature center. Its listed offerings include interactive exhibits, educational programs, walking trails and opportunities for outdoor exploration; individual exhibits and programs may change. The LEGO Lab is a hands-on building area designed to encourage imagination, problem-solving and STEM learning through play.
Planning your stay
When searching for hotels in Murfreesboro, first decide what your trip will focus on: longer Greenway routes, nature watching at the wetlands, or history and culture. You can then tailor your accommodation search to the interests you want to shape your days. The primitive backcountry campsite at Wilderness Station is reserved exclusively for groups.
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