The best walks and hikes around Memphis

Yes, Memphis is quite dog-friendly. Most major parks, including the popular Shelby Farms Park and Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, welcome leashed dogs on their trails. The Wolf River Greenway is another excellent option for a walk with your canine companion. Always remember to bring water for your pet and to clean up after them to keep the trails enjoyable for everyone.

Memphis has numerous options for easy, family-friendly walks. The trails in Overton Park's Old Forest are short, shaded, and perfect for all ages. For a paved and accessible option, the Shelby Farms Greenline offers a flat path suitable for strollers and young children. The Memorial Trail loop — De Soto National Memorial is another very short and easy walk that offers a bit of history along the way.

While the Memphis area is predominantly flat, you can find more challenging terrain in the nearby state parks. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers trails with more elevation change as they traverse the Chickasaw Bluffs. For a longer route with a bit more effort, consider the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve loop — Manatee County, which is the only hike in our collection with a moderate difficulty rating.

The immediate Memphis area is not known for waterfalls due to its relatively flat topography. Hikes in the region focus more on lush forests, river views, and expansive parklands. To find significant waterfalls, you would typically need to drive a few hours east towards the more rugged terrain of Middle and East Tennessee.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is an excellent choice for a weekend getaway, offering both extensive hiking trails and camping facilities, including cabins. T.O. Fuller State Park, the first state park east of the Mississippi River open to African Americans, also provides campsites and the historic Chucalissa Archaeological Discovery Trail.

Spring and fall are the ideal seasons for hiking in Memphis. During these months, the temperatures are pleasant, humidity is lower, and you can enjoy beautiful spring wildflowers or vibrant autumn foliage. Summer can be very hot and humid, so if you hike then, it's best to go early in the morning and bring plenty of water. Winters are generally mild, making year-round hiking possible.

Absolutely. Most of the best hiking spots in Memphis are free to access. This includes major city parks like Shelby Farms Park and Overton Park, as well as the expanding network of greenways like the Wolf River Greenway and Shelby Farms Greenline. While state parks like Meeman-Shelby Forest may have entrance or parking fees, many local parks offer miles of trails at no cost.

Many trails in the area are designed as loops, making logistics easy. The Heritage Harbor Park loop — Bradenton is a pleasant and easy circular walk. For a slightly longer loop through a nature preserve, the Terra Ceia Trail & South Restoration Trail loop — Emerson Point Preserve is a great choice.

The hiking routes around Memphis are well-regarded by the komoot community. Reviewers often praise the accessibility of the trails, the serene woodland scenery within the city, and the well-maintained paths, especially along the greenways. The mix of paved urban trails and more rugged forest paths is frequently highlighted as a major positive.

For a truly unique Memphis hike, the Big River Crossing is a must-do. It's the longest public pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River, offering incredible views of the downtown skyline and the river itself. The walk connects Memphis to trails in Arkansas, allowing you to say you've hiked across a state line. Another great urban option is the Bradenton Riverwalk & Old Main Street loop, which combines park paths with city streets.

The immediate Memphis area is better known for its day hikes and extensive greenway systems rather than long-distance backpacking trails. While Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park has over 20 miles of trails, they are primarily set up for day hiking. For multi-day backpacking trips, you would generally need to travel further east into the more mountainous regions of Tennessee or into the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas.