Tennessee in Bloom: Where to Welcome Spring in Williamson County
As we say goodbye to the month of February, blooming flowers and early buds of vibrant green are mere weeks away. Springtime in Middle Tennessee is a special kind of enchanting. This year, you can witness the local color and texture of the season through guided hikes, community parks, and serene trails. It’s so easy to overlook the incredible beauty of our own homes, but don’t be fooled by familiarity! Our corner of the world is spectacular, especially in spring months. As the seasons transition, consider exploring the natural spaces in and around where you live, immersing yourself in the flora and fauna of Williamson County.
Owl’s Hill Sanctuary
Owl’s Hill Sanctuary in Brentwood is a 300-acre nature sanctuary that protects over 2,000 species of local plants and animals. Through events, hiking access, and educational programs, Owl’s Hill promotes environmental conservation and encourages guests to explore the beauty of Tennessee meadows, hills, forests, ponds, and creeks. The sanctuary relies on its donors to help restore wildlife habitats, maintain nature trails, support national research, and provide low-cost activities such a field trips and public programs.
On Saturday mornings from March 15th to April 19th Owl’s Hill Sanctuary will be hosting guided wildflower hikes. During these excursions, which begin at 9:30 a.m., a guide leads the group on a moderately difficult hike, pointing out the beautiful wildflower species that decorate the sanctuary. Among others, these include Blue-eyed Mary, Dutchman’s Britches, and Spring Beauties, which are native to Tennessee. The wildflower hikes cost $15 per hiker and are available for purchase online up until 8 a.m. on the morning of the hike. Walk-in tickets can be purchased on site if available.
Owl’s Hill will also be hosting other exciting spring events for both kids and adults. Their Knee High and Junior Naturalist classes give children a chance to learn more about the natural world; this spring, they’ll learn about birds and wildflowers. Additionally, Owl’s Hill offers homeschool programs specifically for co-ops and families, promoting hands-on learning experiences and knowledge of native plants and animals. For adults, there are several opportunities to volunteer, learn, and hike; this season, these programs includes a Beginning Birding Naturalist Workshop on March 8th and a nighttime Lantern Hike on April 4th.
Timberland Park
Timberland Park is located on the historic Natchez Trace Parkway (Mile Marker 437.2) in Franklin. The park is made up of 72 acres of land, donated to Williamson County by the state of Tennessee in 1999. 9 different hiking trails weave through the space, many of them old logging trails used by early families in the area. The park, designed by Williamson County Parks and Recreation to be a “rustic passive park” has a variety of amenities including hiking trails, an ADA accessible trail, a scenic overlook, picnic tables, RV accessibility, a butterfly garden, and a self-sustaining Interpretive Center. The center, which offers information, artifacts, and educational displays, is open daily and runs on ecological energy sources: solar panels, rain-water irrigation, propane, and a septic system.
Timberland Park hosts a variety of spring activities. Their annual Long Wildflower Hikes begin in March, with the first taking place on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon. During these hikes, guests wander the park, accompanied by a ranger, in search of wildflowers. Armed with a checklist, up to 12 hikers can mark down the beautiful flowers they encounter. Long Wildflower Hikes are slightly over 3 miles long and typically take about 2.5 hours. For more casual wildflower viewing, Timberland offers Wildflower Wednesdays on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month beginning on March 12th at 9 a.m.
Other programs from March-May 2025 include regular Birding Hikes, Campfire builds, Children’s programs (Toddlers, Tales, and Trails), Full Moon Hikes, Jr. Ranger Camps, and special hikes for Arbor Day, The Ides of March, World Water Day, and St. Snakes Day. Among these special events are a History of Natchez Trace educational session, a Forest Bathing meditation program, and a public Guitar Jam. Most hikes and programs are free, though some require an enrollment fee. All programs require participant registration. You can register and find out more through Williamson County Parks and Recreation.
Peacock Hill Nature Park
Peacock Hill Nature Park is located in the College Grove area of Arrington, and is home to the tallest hill in Williamson County. The 246-acre park officially opened in 2024 and has 6 walking trails that span about 5 miles. Once private, the scenic land was donated to the county in 2017 by Walter and Anita Ogilvie, who operated College Grove’s Peacock Hill Country Inn for 10 years. The family generously gifted the property in hopes that the gorgeous natural space would be conserved and enjoyed for years to come.
Peacock Hill’s high point sits on the Tennessee Valley Divide, which was once the boundary between U.S. land and the Chickasaw Nation. The park has a visitor’s center in a renovated 1850s farmhouse, and is open to the public 7 days a week, if the weather permits. Park attendants and rangers are on the premises to guide guests and lead nature programs. Spring guided hikes include Wildflower Hikes, Night Hikes, Birding Hikes, Snakes of Tennessee Hikes, the Chapel Loop Hike, and the Hike to Hogg Hill, a 2 mile hike that leads you to Hogg Hill, one of the highest points of elevation in Williamson County.
Other special programs and events include Bio Blitz (which gives guests the chance to help rangers document the park’s flora and fauna), Forest Bathing, Jr. and Advanced Jr. Ranger Camps, and interactive games. You can also take classes in birdhouse building, nature journaling, and basket weaving at the park. Additionally, like Timberland Park, Peacock Hill Nature Park also offers regular children’s hikes (Toddlers, Tales, & Trails). Most hikes and programs are free of charge, though some require a fee. Register and learn more about spring activities through Williamson County Parks and Recreation.
Bowie Nature Park
Bowie Nature Park in Fairview is one of Williamson County’s most picturesque areas, with over 700-acres of Tennessee wildlife. The park is made up of 17 miles of trails, which span a variety of ecosystems including pine forest, oak/hickory forest, grasslands, wetlands, lowland bottomland wetlands, and riparian (land adjacent to a river). Because of its specific location on the edge of the Central Basin and on the western escarpment of the Highland Rim of Middle Tennessee, there are unique species of plants found in the park. Equipped with a modern nature center, Bowie is also a great place to learn about the diverse ecology of Middle Tennessee.
Among great hiking and nature education, Bowie also has opportunities for guests to enjoy bicycling, fishing, running, walking, and horseback riding. Kids can also play at the park’s Treehouse Playground. Other amenities include lakeside picnic areas, an outdoor classroom “JoAnn’s Classroom,” various exhibits, and art. Park facilities, such as the picnic shelters and the outdoor classroom are available for rental and reservation upon request. There are 5 beautiful lakes throughout the park; however, keep in mind that swimming is prohibited on park property.
A premier spring event at Bowie Nature Park is Camp Bowie—Spring Mini-Camps. Artistic Adventures is a crafty camp for children ages 4-5. The camp takes place from March 10th at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 12. The camp includes arts and crafts, nature hikes, and outdoor games for $85. One parent or guardian is allowed to attend. Dino-Mite mini-camp will take place on March 13 at 9:30 a.m. to March 15 at 12:30 p.m. This mini-camp includes arts and crafts, dinosaur digs, and outdoor games. While the spring mini-camp registration is closed, Bowie offers other great camps in June and July. In the meantime, the park will host an Easter Egg Hunt on April 12. On April 25, the park will host “Movie in the Park” at 7:30 p.m. The City of Fairview’s Arts and Craft Fair will be at the park on May 10th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More Ways to Experience The Season
Beyond spectacular nature preserves, Williamson County has a variety of ways you can enjoy the season. Explore the great outdoors at local parks and recreation complexes, or partake in one of the unique agritourism experiences in the area. On weekends beginning in April, you can hear live, outdoor music at the county’s beautiful Arrington Vineyards, during their Music in the Vines series, or grab a bite to eat at their Food Truck Fridays. Corner to corner, our county is full of festivals, markets, and celebrations. There is no lack of things to do as the weather warms up! Check out the abundance of events planned for Spring of 2025.
Adventures Just Outside of Williamson County
If you want to explore more of Tennessee and are up for a little road-trip, consider spending the day at one of the breathtaking waterfalls within a few hours of home. If flowers are what you’re after, there are also incredible floral events just outside of Williamson County. Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville has Pick-Your-Own Tulip days throughout blooming season, beginning on March 15. Lucky Ladd, which is the largest pick-your-own tulip farm in the Southeastern U.S., also hosts the annual Tennessee Tulip Festival, which will take place on April 5th and 6th. You can experience even more beauty at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville, at their spring festival Cheekwood in Bloom: Love is in the Air, which runs from March 8th to April 13th.
Just Around the Corner
After a long, cold winter, spring is a time to reflect on newness, appreciating the simple wonders of our world. Nature preserves do the wonderful, hard work of protecting local ecosystems, ensuring that the beauty of our community is maintained and well-loved. If you’re looking to aide in the environmental sustainability efforts in Williamson County, there are several opportunities to do so. In taking steps to protect natural spaces and wildlife locally, we can assist in global efforts of conservation and environmental healing. This spring season, protect, appreciate, and take advantage of the spaces that showcase the beauty of our region. Here in Williamson County, you can witness native wildflowers bursting with color, gaze over rolling hills, and take deep breaths of fresh air as spring in Tennessee makes her debut, as lovely as ever.
