Cedars of Lebanon State Park is named for the dense cedar forest that existed in the Biblical lands of Lebanon. The park contains 900 acres which are used for intensive recreation. An additional 8,100 acres are operated by the Parks Division as a natural area and by the Forestry Division as a State Forest.
The Merritt Nature Center features exhibits on geology and natural features of the park. It is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday during the on-season. The Nature Center may be opened during the off-season by special arrangement with the park’s naturalist. The park naturalist and recreation director conduct programs daily throughout the summer months, including arts and crafts, hayrides, guided tours, campfire sessions, evening movies an organized games. For more information call 615-453-3028.
Beginning in the 1940’s botanists began to notice unique natural ecosystems found in and around Cedars of Lebanon State Park and Forest. These areas are natural rock gardens called cedar glades. The presence of glades is due to limestone rock coming so close to the surface of the ground that it causes the soil to be thin or absent. What little soil is there builds up along cracks and potholes in the limestone slab. Water and surface temperatures vary so much throughout the year that a harsh, desert-like, inhospitable habitat is created with its own unique plant community. Nineteen rare and endangered species of plants grow profusely here and no where eels in the world.
Cedars of Lebanon State Park and State Forest are located in the southwest park of Wilson County within the Central Basin of Tennessee. During the early 1800’s, many of the original settlers found the area to be a vast cedar forest. The forest (although it actually consists of juniper trees mistaken for cedars by the first arrivals) suggested to these pioneers the biblical name of the ’place of Cedars’. Lebanon is the closest town and was named by these early settlers due to this association.
Eight miles of hiking trails meander through the “cedar” forests and glades. Hiking trails are open year-round. The are four trails in the park from which visitors frequently enjoy glimpses of fox, deer, squirrel, rabbits, and turkey throughout the park. Each trai is blazed with a rectangular colored blaze-mark located on trees along the trail. Please not the coloe of the blaz-mark for the trail that you hike. Remember to stay on the trail for your own safety., Trail maps are available in the park office. Open fires are prohibited on all trails and no motorized vehicles are allowed.
Trails:
Cedar Forest Trail: 2 miles (easy)
Dixon Merrit Trail: 0.5 miles (easy)
Limestone Sinks (self-guided trail): 0.5 miles (easy)
Hidden Springs Trail: 5 miles (easy)
Directions: Cedars of Lebanon State Park is located approximately 31 miles east of Nashville in Wilson County. It is 6 miles south of I-40 on U.S. Highway 231 (Sate Route 10). For specific directions, see http://www.mapquest.com