Long Hunter State Park is the closest real Percy Priest Lake access for anyone in Wilson County — the park most locals pick when they want lake shoreline without the Old Hickory Lake boat traffic or the drive to a state park in the hills. It sits on the eastern shore of J. Percy Priest Lake, a short drive from every Wilson County town, and while the park itself technically falls in Davidson and Rutherford counties, the water it protects is the same water that laps the western edge of Wilson County.

Quick Facts

• Address (main entrance): 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076
• Size: Approximately 2,600 acres
• Established: 1978
• Admission: Free
• Counties: Davidson and Rutherford
• Lakeshore access: On J. Percy Priest Lake (22-mile Corps of Engineers reservoir)
• Hiking: More than 30 miles across several trails
• Boat ramps: 2 on Percy Priest Lake
• Signature feature: Couchville Lake Trail with 300-foot footbridge (ADA-accessible)

The Wilson County Angle

Short answer: the park's land is not in Wilson County, but the lake it's built around touches our western edge.

J. Percy Priest Lake is a 22-mile reservoir created by a dam on the Stones River. It runs along the southern boundary of Mt. Juliet and the southern reaches of unincorporated Wilson County. For Mt. Juliet residents especially, Long Hunter is the most accessible state park — a 10–15 minute drive from most of town.

A practical way to think about it: Long Hunter is the western-edge park for Wilson County residents; Cedars of Lebanon is the central-county park. Most residents who use one end up using both.

The Four Sections and What Each Is Best For

Couchville Section (main visitor area). The headquarters area off Hobson Pike. Home to the visitor center, the Couchville Lake Trail, the meeting facility, and day-use picnic areas. This is where first-time visitors should start.

Baker's Grove Section. Northern section along the lake. Features a boat ramp, day-use areas, and the start of the 5.5-mile Volunteer Trail.

Bryant Grove Section. Southern section in Rutherford County, accessed off Bell Road. Features a boat ramp, swim beach, and separate picnic areas. Lower traffic than Couchville on summer weekends.

Backcountry Area. Primitive camping zones reachable only by hiking in. Permit required.

The Trails

Couchville Lake Trail — 2.1 miles, paved, fully accessible. A flat loop around small Couchville Lake, including a 300-foot bridge across the eastern end. Accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and casual walkers. Easy to do in under an hour. Best trail for a first visit.

Volunteer Trail — 5.5 miles. A longer lakeshore hike connecting the Couchville and Baker's Grove sections. Views of Percy Priest Lake along most of the route. Moderate difficulty — mostly flat with rocky sections. Also gives access to the park's backcountry campsites.

Jones Mill Trail. Leads to Bald Knob, a hilltop overlook of the surrounding terrain. A moderate hike, shorter than the Volunteer Trail.

Couchville Lake vs. J. Percy Priest Lake

Couchville Lake is a small, enclosed lake — non-motorized boats only (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards). Quiet. Better for a peaceful morning paddle.

J. Percy Priest Lake is the big 22-mile reservoir. Powerboats, jet skis, fishing boats — all the lake traffic you'd expect on a major Middle Tennessee lake on a summer weekend. Boat ramps at Baker's Grove and Bryant Grove.

When to Go

Spring (March–May) is the best all-around time. Wildflowers on the trails, comfortable temperatures, pre-summer crowds. The Volunteer Trail is especially nice in April.

Summer (June–August) brings heat and lake traffic. Go early on weekends to avoid parking issues at the boat ramps. Bryant Grove tends to be less crowded than Couchville on peak days.

Fall (September–November) is excellent. Lake water stays warm into mid-October. Fall color peaks late October to early November.

Winter is underrated for hiking. Trails are open, temperatures manageable, and you'll often have the trail to yourself.

Getting There from Each Wilson County Town

Nearby — What to Pair This With

• Living in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee — the Wilson County town closest to the park
• Old Hickory Lake Public Access & Boat Ramps — Wilson County's other big lake; useful contrast if you're comparing boating access
• Cedars of Lebanon State Park — different ecosystem (cedar glades vs. lakeshore); a full-day Wilson County outdoor itinerary often pairs both
• Providence Marketplace Mt. Juliet — for a practical lunch after a Couchville Lake Trail morning

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Long Hunter State Park in Wilson County? No — the park's land sits in Davidson County (Couchville section) and Rutherford County (Bryant Grove section). However, J. Percy Priest Lake forms the southern boundary of Wilson County, so the park is the closest developed lakeshore state park for most Wilson County residents.

Is there an entrance fee at Long Hunter State Park? No. Admission is free. Fees apply only for camping, group facility rentals, and some programs.

Can you swim at Long Hunter? Yes, at the Bryant Grove swim beach on J. Percy Priest Lake (seasonal). Swimming is not permitted at Couchville Lake.

Can you bring a motorboat to Long Hunter? Yes — at the Baker's Grove or Bryant Grove boat ramps on J. Percy Priest Lake. Only non-motorized boats are permitted on Couchville Lake.

Does Long Hunter have camping? Yes, but limited to backcountry camping (permit required) and group camping by reservation. There are no standard drive-in campsites with hookups. For traditional camping in Wilson County, see Cedars of Lebanon State Park.

How long does it take to walk Couchville Lake Trail? The 2.1-mile paved loop takes most walkers 45–60 minutes at a relaxed pace.

Are dogs allowed at Long Hunter? Pets are allowed on most Tennessee state park trails when leashed. Verify current rules with the visitor center before a visit.

Is the Couchville Lake Trail accessible for wheelchairs and strollers? Yes. The 2.1-mile Couchville Lake Trail is paved and generally level. The 300-foot footbridge across the eastern end is a flat crossing with railings.

What's the difference between Long Hunter and Cedars of Lebanon for Wilson County visitors? Long Hunter is the lakeshore park (J. Percy Priest Lake, paved Couchville Lake Trail, boat ramps). Cedars of Lebanon is the inland cedar-glade park (five named trails, campground, seasonal splash pad). Most Wilson County residents use both across the year.

A Local's Take

If I'm showing a Mt. Juliet home to a buyer who's moving for lake access, we drive to Long Hunter after the showing. Not because the park is spectacular — it's nice, not a jaw-dropper — but because a 10-minute drive from a front door to the shoreline of a 22-mile lake is the thing they couldn't do from wherever they're coming from.

For clients already in Wilson County who haven't been yet, go walk the Couchville Lake Trail once. Go early on a Saturday in April. It's the kind of place you'll start incorporating into your own life rhythm once you see how low-friction the whole experience is.

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Written by Jacob Armbrester, Real Estate Broker with Compass. Published 2026-04-18. Last updated 2026-04-18.