Harpeth River - The Narrows

Estimated Length:  5.5  Miles                

Date:  March, 2012     

Weather: Sunny and in the high 50’s

Time on River:  1 and 1/2 hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 30 minutes

Close By: Kingston Springs

Put-In: Harpeth River State Park

Take-Out: Harpeth River State Park

Highlights:

Turtles on the Harpeth

View along the Harpeth

 

The Harpeth River Narrows is a great place to paddle when you need a quick river fix and live close to Nashville. No shuttling is needed. The paddle is easy and in March we were the only paddlers on the river. Now if you want to try this section or river during the summer months expect a lot of company.

The put-in and take-out are only half a mile apart, shuttle logistics do not get any easier than this. The put-in does have some steep steps that you will have to maneuver but there is a canoe slide to help get your boat down to the water. 

Take-out is just past the Harris Street Bridge on a gravel bar which you can drive your car onto to load up. Either before or after your trip, take the time to hike up the trail to the rock outcrop that has a great view of the Harpeth River.

Within the first 100 yards on the right is Montgomery Bell’s tunnel. It was used to harness water power for an iron forge. DO NOT  go in it, boulders and logs are clogged inside. The Harpeth will take you around a section of land called Bells Bend with views of tree-lined fields and bluffs. About 2.6 miles into the trip, Trace Creek flows into the Harpeth. Eventually the river will meet up with the Cumberland.

Trace Creek

This is a great family paddle and with lots of outfitters close by, anybody can take a trip on the Harpeth!