It looks like it could fall over any second so I didn’t let the kids go inside, but we took a good long look from the entrance.įeed boxes are still tacked to the walls of the shed.

Particularly if you’re a kid, though, the fun is just beginning.Īs you head back down the other side of the loop (and don’t worry- the way down is much less steep than the way up- Another reason to fork left on the loop if you’re with kids), you’ll spy some very interesting signs of civilization.įirst, there’s a tumbledown shed. Once you’ve reached the top of the ridge, the trail widens again and you’ll have lots of different views of the lake, as well as the veterans cemetery to the south. Today, it’s hard to imagine that this place was once a bustling swimming area– but observant hikers will see signs of what once was, from the old stone steps to a marble dance floor at the top of the overlook, which is all that’s left of the original resort. According to Asbury, “One of the Life Guards, Mr Tharp, said the Lake, Club and a camp were closed in 1941 when WWII broke out and all the boys were called to serve or work.” A large building was constructed on the north rim of the lake at the stone steps, where people could shower, change, eat meals, and relax. The quarry bottom was sealed, the water was filtered, and a water slide and water wheel were built beside the lake. In 1931, the site was bought and turned into a resort. This state natural area was a quarry from 1914 until 1918. It’s not easy to find online, but fortunately, I was able to find a few comments from Friends of Hidden Lake member Art Asbury to help fill in the blanks. Stop for a rest and tell your fellow hikers the history behind Hidden Lake. If you bring a dog, make sure its on a leash.Īlong the ridge, several large, flat rocks offer spectacular views of the lake. Older children will love the thrill of this experience, but if you have a kid who tends to dart, you might want to save this trail until he/she is older. This is where the ‘adventure’ part of the trail comes into play.Īs you climb, the trail narrows substantially until you are walking along a ridge, with a steep drop-off on either side. We recommend forking left for the best experience (This is my 11-year-old’s idea and it’s a good one.) Once you fork left, you’ll begin a steep climb up to the top of the ridge. The next fork in the trail is the start of the Ridge Loop. Please note the Backyard Safari vest he wore for the occasion- This kid was ready for anything. This spot is by far the best view of the smaller lake. My son can’t resist investigating anything even vaguely resembling a trail offshoot when we’re on a hike, and in this case, I’m glad he did– Just over the embankment was our first glimpse of the smaller of two hidden lakes, complete with a bench by the shore. This was one of the first real hikes my kids could do without having to be carried part of the way, and they loved reaching the end of the trail and finding a beautiful lake.Īs you walk, you’ll notice an embankment to your right and if you’re looking closely, you should see a scraggly-looking pathway over the embankment. If you have smaller kids (five and under), I highly recommend that you skip the Ridge Loop Trail and take the left fork to the lake. At the first fork in the Hidden Lake trail, go right to get to the Ridge Loop Trail (left goes straight to the lake). After that, signage is sparse, so it’s a good idea to print a map before you go, just in case you get confused. There are lots of signs of civilization from the 1920s and ’30s that children will love discovering, and much of it is covered up in the summer and fall.Īt the traihead, a sign will point you in the correct direction for the Hidden Lake trail. The Hidden Lake trail is lovely at any season, but I especially recommend it for families in the winter and early spring when the leaves have fallen from the trees and underbrush is at a minimum. From there, follow the signs to the Hidden Lake trail- They’re easy to spot. When you get off of the interstate, head north for about 3/4 of a mile and you’ll see the parking area for the park just past the Harpeth River on your left. Located right off Exit 192 on I-40 (the McCrory Lane exit just past Bellevue), this trail is perfect for anyone who loves history, adventure, or discovery– It’s a little under two miles long and far less populated than hiking trails closer to town. Nashville’s Warner Park and Radnor Lake are certainly the most popular (and heavily trafficked) spots in the city to get your hike on– but one of my new favorite spots for a walk in the woods is the Hidden Lake Trail at Harpeth River State Park.

Hidden lake utah