Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Fort Nashborough East Bank Greenway
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a 19-acre park located in Nashville, Tennessee, that was built to commemorate the state's 200th birthday in 1996.
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Summary
There are several good reasons to visit the park, including its stunning views of the state's capitol building, a variety of educational exhibits, and its central location in downtown Nashville.
Some of the park's specific points of interest include the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains, which depict the state's seven major rivers and their corresponding tributaries, and the Court of 3 Stars, which represents the three different divisions of the state. There are also several monuments and memorials located throughout the park, including the World War II Memorial and the Pathway of History.
Interesting facts about the park include that it was designed by a team of architects, landscape architects, and engineers, and that it contains a time capsule that is set to be opened in 2096. Additionally, the park's large-scale map of Tennessee is made up of over 3,000 cast-bronze tiles.
The best time of year to visit Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park's trees and gardens are in bloom. However, the park is open year-round and hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including concerts and festivals.
Overall, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park offers visitors a unique and educational experience that celebrates the history and beauty of Tennessee.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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