Review
Intro
Nashville was built on the Cumberland River connecting the city’s people and products to the outside world. Today, it makes for a picturesque city, and a convenient boating location. With an abundance of area lakes and streams, kayaking on the Cumberland is often overlooked, but it deserves your attention. The river provides the wide vistas of a lake, and the current adds an additional workout for upstream paddlers. You may share the water with the General Jackson paddle boat or coal barges as you paddle past historic bridges, industrial docks, and the Ascend Amphitheater. The railroad bridge at Shelby Bottoms marks the turnaround point for a 5.5-mile trip.
What Makes It Great
The put-in is directly across from downtown Nashville, and it’s a pretty sight from the water. As you paddle, you will come under the first of four bridges, the 1909 Shelby Street bridge, which became pedestrian in 2003. Just beyond is the much newer Korean Veteran’s Blvd Bridge. As you pass through this section, you may hear music in the air, from Ascend amphitheater, Cumberland Park, or maybe even from Broadway.
As you continue upstream, the banks become more wild, with tall trees, turtles and herons, and if you time it right, you might pass the General Jackson Showboat on its way downtown. You’ll also pass some tall boat moorings, and perhaps a barge or two. After a gentle curve in the river, and passing under I-24, the railroad bridge will come into view, but it will take a little while to get there. Shortly before reaching it, you will see a boat ramp on your left for Shelby Bottoms, so it is easy for you to get out and have a rest if you like. From the bridge, it’s an easy float back downstream with the current.
When you get back downtown, don’t forget to head across the bridge for some barbecue at Jack's or a drink one of Broad's many honky-tonks.
Who is Going to Love It
This float is perfect if you are looking to get a good workout in, without going far, or if you just want to do some open water, without as many smaller power boats as can be found on the lake. Keep in mind the boats you may encounter are large, and they produce waves to match, but otherwise the trip is a great straight forward paddle that can be as long, and as challenging as you want it to be.
Directions, Parking, & Regulations
Access is from the Titan's Stadium Parking lot (so keep that in mind during football season), just off of Korean Veterans Blvd. There is not a back in boat ramp, but the best place to park and unload your boat is where Victory Avenue turns right and becomes Titan's Way. You'll want to park in Lot R next door. This will save you carrying your boat too far, but it is a little bit of a walk down a grassy hill with your boat to the water's edge.
Parking is free.
