Serene Escape: Exploring Bowie Nature Park in Fairview, TN
Williamson County, Tennessee is full of natural beauty, a feature highlighted by our impeccable parks and nature preserves. A jewel in the northwestern corner of our county, Fairview’s Bowie Nature Park is the largest preserved natural area, spanning over 700 acres of land that includes an impressive 17 miles of trails. The park is made up of several ecosystems including pine forest, oak and hickory forest, grasslands, wetlands, lowland bottomland wetlands, and riparian, which is the ecosystem found adjacent to a river.
Because of our specific location in Middle Tennessee, and the diversity of ecosystems within the park, Bowie is a haven for local wildlife and a home to a plethora of unique plant species. Visitors are welcome to stop by Bowie’s modern Nature Center to learn more about the history and ecology of the park, or simply experience it for themselves by enjoying one of the many activities the park offers, including hiking, running, bicycling, fishing, and even horseback riding.
Welcome to Bowie Nature Park
The entrance to Bowie Nature Park is located in Fairview, on Highway 100 at 7211 Bowie Lake Road, Fairview, TN 37062. The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Nature Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The expansive park is home to no less than 5 lakes: Lake Van, Upper Lake, Hidden Lake, Lake Byrd, and Lake Anna. Fishing (with a valid Tennessee fishing license) is permitted at all 5 lakes, except for in areas otherwise marked. No swimming or boating is allowed.
Lake and Loblolly (pine) trails include the Loblolly Loop (1.09 miles) and Twin Lakes Loop (0.57 miles). Other hiking trails include the Perimeter Trail (4.45 miles), Stark Springs Trail (0.45 miles), White Pine Trail (0.53 miles), Bluff Trail (0.45 miles), Redbud Trail (0.25 miles), Dome Loop (0.60 miles), Dome Road Trail (0.36 miles), Trail of Three Sisters (0.22 miles), and the Horseshoe Trail (1.14 miles), open to equestrian and foot traffic only.
For more trail details, there is a free online map provided by Bowie Nature Park, as well as maps and guides posted on the park kiosk. Keep in mind that for horseback riding and biking there is a $2 trail fee. If you plan to use the park for either activity, please make sure you are utilizing the properly marked trails, as some are designated for foot traffic only. The horse trailer parking area is located close to the Nature Center and treehouse playground. For more information, you can familiarize yourself with park rules here.
Friends of Bowie Nature Park
Friends of Bowie Nature Park, the service organization associated with the park, first came together in 1994. Since its beginnings, the mission of the organization has remained: to preserve, promote, and protect Bowie Nature Park, ensuring it remains an enriching public space for years to come. Thanks to the continued efforts of organization members, the park continues to be a local hub of natural education and outdoor recreation. Friends of Bowie Nature Park are responsible for maintaining the Gardens of Bowie Park and hosting annual events, fundraisers, and exhibits that keep the vision of the park alive and well. Additionally, they spearhead regular trail preservation, educational initiatives, and the Bowie Museum located inside the Nature Center. The organization is also responsible for Bowieland, a self-published book (circa 2008) detailing the life and legacy of the Bowie family and their ties to the Fairview community.
If you’d like to get involved with Friends of Bowie Nature Park, there are a number of committees in need of volunteers, including the Environmental Stewardship, Outreach, Funding, and Beautification & Maintenance committees. To learn more about the responsibilities of each group and inquire about potential volunteer opportunities, you can fill out the interest form found on the Friends of Bowie Nature Park website. In addition to volunteer opportunities, there are also membership and donorship opportunities. For more involvement, keep up to date with programs and events through the organization’s “happenings” calendar.
History & Legacy: Praise For Dr. Evangeline Bowie
The legacy of Bowie Nature Park can be traced back to Dr. Evangeline Bowie, a Williamson County physician and who was passionate about land conservation. Bowie, who originally acquired the area where the park now resides in the 1950s, expertly managed the then barren land by having terraces built and lakes dug, ultimately resulting in an expertly designed hydrology system responsible for saving the land from continued erosion. The land was also revitalized by the intentional planting of over 500,000 Loblolly Pine Trees.
Before Dr. Bowie passed away in 1992, the City of Fairview was deeded the land, fulfilling her ultimate dream of creating a public nature park and wildlife preserve of the 722-acre forest that she created. The park was officially completed and opened in 2003, alongside the Nature Center. Since 2008, the park has been protected by The Land Trust for Tennessee, an accredited conservation organization that works across the state. Due to the vision and efforts of Dr. Evangeline Bowie, the park has remained a beautiful oasis for native wildlife and a top destination for both locals and visitors in the City of Fairview.
Ecosystems at Bowie Nature Park
One of the most interesting aspects of Bowie Nature Park is its ecology, which is unique in its biodiversity and native species of flora and fauna. Here’s a quick overview of the ecosystems found within the park:
Pine Forests are prominent at the park, with the most common species of pines being the Loblolly Pines originally planted by the Bowie family. The beautiful Loblolly Pines are native to the Southeastern United States and are easily identified by their large trunks and reddish-brown bark.
Oak & Hickory Forests are the most dominant kind of forest found in Tennessee, as vouched for by the name Old Hickory—the well-known nickname for Tennessee’s own Andrew Jackson—found on street signs and in neighborhoods across our region. The common oak and hickory tree species provide critical habitats for native squirrels, deer, birds, and other creatures.
Grasslands were once a huge part of our state’s ecosystem, though we’ve lost about 90% of them, making the presence of this habitat in our county especially notable. The preservation of grasslands is important, as they are known to stabilize and provide nutrients to the soil, mitigate pollutants, and improve water quality. Grasslands also serve as a home for pollinators and other rare species of wildlife.
Wetlands are an ecosystem defined by areas where the soil is regularly saturated by water, creating the perfect environment for plant species that thrive under wet conditions, known as hydrophytic vegetation. Because of its specific location on the edge of the Central Basin and on the western slope of the Highland Rim of Middle Tennessee, there are especially unique species of plants found in Bowie Nature Park that are hard to find anywhere else.
Lowland Bottomland Wetlands are wetlands that exist in low-lying areas, usually along rivers, streams, floodplains, or basins. Ecologically, the specifics of lowland bottomland wetlands are important as they provide natural flood control, water filtration, and are the natural habitat of species that exist under these specific conditions.
A Riparian is the space between a river or a stream and its surrounding ecosystem. This transitional space helps to regulate water quality and flood control while serving species, like certain fish and amphibians, that exist in or between aquatic and dry land habitats. While this particular kind of ecosystem might seem overlooked, they are an incredibly important piece of overall environmental health.
Many of these ecosystems are constantly under the threat of urbanization, sedimentation, and altered hydrology due to land use. This was the case when the Bowie family began to purchase the land where the park now stands. Due to careful, conservational land planning over the years, these Tennessee ecosystems have had the opportunity to recoup and to thrive, preserving the unique environmental intricacies that define our region.
Activities + Amenities
Bowie Nature park has areas that can facilitate social gatherings, including reunions, receptions, picnics, potlucks, and more. There are 2 shelter options. Shelter 1 can seat a maximum of 30 people and includes 8 tables and a grill. Shelter 2 also includes 8 tables and a grill and can seat up to 50 people. Shelter rentals are $20 per half day or $40 per full day for Fairview residents. For non-residents, a half day is $30 and a full day is $60. An additional $10 fee may be added if electricity is required.
Another recreational space, JoAnne’s Outdoor Classroom is an 1,000 square foot shelter that can seat up to 100 people and features a stage and secure storage areas. It’s primarily used as an immersive, outdoor classroom where students can visit and learn more about the park. Memorial Walkway, adjacent to JoAnne’s Classroom, is a serene sidewalk featuring footprints and engraved bricks placed carefully to insight pause. The classroom can also be rented out at a rate of $75. Visit the park website for additional information on event rentals & fees, including Nature Center event inquiries or reserving the park for fundraising events. All events must be approved by the Parks Department.
Alongside spaces to gather, there is an inclusive, treehouse playground on-site at Bowie Park, a perfect place for kids to play. Keep in mind that to ensure the safety of all guests, bicycles, pets, and smoking are not permitted near the playground site.
Community Events
There are a variety of community events hosted at Bowie Nature Park, often in association with the City of Fairview and the Parks Department.
Nature Fest is an annual festival that will be hosted this year on September 20, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and family-friendly, featuring music, arts & craft vendors, kids’ activities, inflatables, food, and plein air painting sponsored by the Fairview Arts Council.
Camp Bowie is a summer camp series hosted in the spring and summer, with opportunities for kids between the ages of 4 and 12. Camps feature arts and crafts, outdoor games, exploration, science, and more. Registration typically opens following the first of the year. Although the 2025 camp series has passed, keep an eye out for next year! For more camp opportunities, check out featured summer camps in Franklin and Williamson County.
The City of Fairview’s Arts and Crafts Fair is held at Bowie Nature Park, and features local artisans, vendors, and incredible food trucks. The 2025 event was held on on May 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’d like to inquire about becoming a vendor at future arts and crafts fairs, please contact rross@fairview-tn.org.
Bowie Nature Park is also a premier site for a number of holiday-themed public events, including trunk or treat, easter egg hunts, pictures with Santa, movie nights, and more. For regular updates on these events, you can keep up with the park via their Facebook page, which highlights upcoming and past events.
For more community engagement, Friends of Bowie Nature Park organizes and facilitates a number of nature programs, story time sessions, hikes, and more. You can find details about programs on the organization’s online calendar.
The Great Outdoors
For more outdoor exploration, lace up your hiking boots and visit other beloved nature preserves in and around Williamson County, including Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary in Brentwood and Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville’s Oak Hill neighborhood. Other outdoor recreation opportunities across the county are not few or far between. Find fresh air and adventure through family-friendly outdoor activities, farm tours, camping, and more! If you’re up for a quick road trip, consider visiting one of the majestic waterfalls located within 3 hours of Franklin.
Here in Middle Tennessee, we are blessed with incredible scenery, rich farm land, and native wildlife, features that have added abundantly to the beauty and prosperity of the places we call home. As proven by the story of Bowie Nature Park, intentional stewardship is a crucial piece of preserving the integrity of our land. While an increasing amount of civic policies and environmentalist organizations are doing the heavy lifting when it comes to environmental protection, there are a number of ways to participate in the sustainability movement locally, ensuring that spaces like Bowie Nature Park remain extraordinary safe havens for years to come. The Volunteer State boasts some of the most vibrant ecosystems in the country, and you can experience the best of our Tennessee home, right here in Williamson County. Don’t just take our word for it! This summer, visit Fairview’s Bowie Nature Park for an extra dose of fresh air and fun.
