Fort Negley Park
Rate this placeNearby: Dudley Park E S Rose Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Negley Park is a historic site located in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Summary
There are several reasons to visit this park, including learning about the history of the area, taking in scenic views, and enjoying outdoor activities. The park is home to several points of interest, such as the Fort Negley Visitors Center, the reconstructed fortifications and a 110-acre park that offers hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, a dog park, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.
Fort Negley is a historic Civil War site that was constructed by the Union Army in 1862. The fort played a crucial role in the Battle of Nashville in 1864, and it was the largest fort built by the Union Army during the Civil War. The park now serves as a memorial to the soldiers who fought in the Civil War and offers a glimpse into the history of the area.
In addition to its historical significance, Fort Negley Park is also known for its stunning views of downtown Nashville and the surrounding hills. Visitors can enjoy hiking or biking on the several trails, picnicking in the park, or exploring the various educational exhibits and programs.
Interesting facts about Fort Negley Park include its status as a National Historic Landmark and its designation as a site on the Civil War Discovery Trail. The park is also home to several species of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species.
The best time to visit Fort Negley Park is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the trees are in bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers something to see and do in every season.
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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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