The waterways of America play an important part in the history of the nation, so it's not surprising that going down rivers brings you close to many important sites. Kayak Harpeth River in Tennessee and you'll find a history lesson as well as a pleasant day on a scenic stream. Although some prefer whitewater adventure, many more choose the lesser challenge of rivers just like this one.
The Harpeth River, hereafter called HR for brevity, is 115 miles long and is a tributary of the Cumberland. This makes it part of the Mississippi watershed. It starts in north-central Tennessee in Rutherford county, flows through the city of Franklin, and picks up several streams along the way. It's joined by the West HR, the Little HR, and the South HR.
HR is a good river for beginners and family outings, as long as particular stretches are chosen. There is some Class II water that can help intermediate canoeists and kayakers learn to handle moving water. There are holes, rocks, and rapids, but none of them are too hard to miss or to navigate. There are wider, slower parts that have few, if any, challenges.
There are many public access points on the HR, including 9 in the HR State Park, which follows HR for 40 miles. The Park includes several spots of great historic interest, such as an antebellum plantation house near the confluence of HR and West HR, called 'the Meeting of the Waters'.
Park signs also tell the story of Pattinson's Mill, an iron works that was built near the Narrows, where the banks are close together and the flow of water accelerates. Ironmaster Montgomery Bell had his slaves blast their way through solid rock to build a tunnel that would divert water to his mill. The tunnel, an engineering marvel in its day, is still there although the mill is gone. A prehistoric Native American burial site called Mound Bottom is also near the Narrows.
Some of the most dramatic events happened along the Natchez Trace, which parallels the River. This famous pioneer trade route was used by farmers to take their crops and livestock to eastern markets. The trip was dangerous because bandits lurked in the dense woods along the trace and arduous because of deep mud in winter and spring. Local lore holds that the name Harpeth refers to the outlaw brothers Harp, but early maps recorded the name before these ruffians came on the scene. It may reflect the Native American name for the waterway.
The whole length of HR is open to canoeists and kayaking, but the lower river is where visitors can rent boats and other gear for a day on the water. With an official 'scenic' designation, HR is well worth exploring for anyone who likes paddling, scenery, and local color. Go online to find maps and put-ins guides, historical notes, and descriptions of HR posted by those who've made the trip.
Go online for more information on this historic and beloved river-system. You'll find many community activists dedicated to preserving and improving HR for those who use it for recreation. Wildlife lives in and around HR, including waterfowl, fish, beaver, otters, and freshwater mussels and crustaceans.
The Harpeth River, hereafter called HR for brevity, is 115 miles long and is a tributary of the Cumberland. This makes it part of the Mississippi watershed. It starts in north-central Tennessee in Rutherford county, flows through the city of Franklin, and picks up several streams along the way. It's joined by the West HR, the Little HR, and the South HR.
HR is a good river for beginners and family outings, as long as particular stretches are chosen. There is some Class II water that can help intermediate canoeists and kayakers learn to handle moving water. There are holes, rocks, and rapids, but none of them are too hard to miss or to navigate. There are wider, slower parts that have few, if any, challenges.
There are many public access points on the HR, including 9 in the HR State Park, which follows HR for 40 miles. The Park includes several spots of great historic interest, such as an antebellum plantation house near the confluence of HR and West HR, called 'the Meeting of the Waters'.
Park signs also tell the story of Pattinson's Mill, an iron works that was built near the Narrows, where the banks are close together and the flow of water accelerates. Ironmaster Montgomery Bell had his slaves blast their way through solid rock to build a tunnel that would divert water to his mill. The tunnel, an engineering marvel in its day, is still there although the mill is gone. A prehistoric Native American burial site called Mound Bottom is also near the Narrows.
Some of the most dramatic events happened along the Natchez Trace, which parallels the River. This famous pioneer trade route was used by farmers to take their crops and livestock to eastern markets. The trip was dangerous because bandits lurked in the dense woods along the trace and arduous because of deep mud in winter and spring. Local lore holds that the name Harpeth refers to the outlaw brothers Harp, but early maps recorded the name before these ruffians came on the scene. It may reflect the Native American name for the waterway.
The whole length of HR is open to canoeists and kayaking, but the lower river is where visitors can rent boats and other gear for a day on the water. With an official 'scenic' designation, HR is well worth exploring for anyone who likes paddling, scenery, and local color. Go online to find maps and put-ins guides, historical notes, and descriptions of HR posted by those who've made the trip.
Go online for more information on this historic and beloved river-system. You'll find many community activists dedicated to preserving and improving HR for those who use it for recreation. Wildlife lives in and around HR, including waterfowl, fish, beaver, otters, and freshwater mussels and crustaceans.
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