Marshall County: Nature, History and Experiences

Marshall County brings together distinctive natural areas, engaging regional history and a variety of experiences. Limestone cedar glades, a museum with collections from the county and creative offerings each add a different dimension. You can shape your trip around whether you’d rather explore nature, delve into the area’s history or spend active hours by the river.

Limestone Cedar Glades and the Duck River

In northeastern Marshall County, the 58-acre Wilson School Road Forest and Cedar Glades is a natural area. Its landscape of limestone cedar glades is also botanically notable: three rare plants are known to grow there—Running Glade Clover (Trifolium calcaricum), Carolina Anemone (Anemone caroliniana) and Glade Cress (Leavenworthia exigua var. exigua). The names make clear how distinctive the nature of this area is; it is not just a general woodland landscape, but a special habitat with characteristic plants.

The Duck River also offers a compelling connection to nature: it is home to more than 50 mussel species and is designated a Tennessee Scenic River in the “Class II Pastoral River Area” category. These two distinctions draw attention to different aspects of the river—its importance as a habitat and its official classification as a scenic river. Together with the cedar glades, they make for a nature-focused visit that encompasses both plants and waterways.

History and Art in Lewisburg

The Marshall County Historical Museum preserves hundreds of artifacts from Marshall County and its residents. Exhibits include primitive hand tools, a loom and handcrafted furniture, as well as memorabilia from World War I and World War II. Historic clothing, quilts, photo albums and early cameras round out the collection. Free admission makes the museum an easy way to explore the area’s history. Appointments are welcomed and recommended; regular opening hours are not listed.

At the south end of the historic Lewisburg Square, the Marshall County Art Guild operates a gallery. Art classes and workshops are held there, and new works of art are exhibited every two months. The Dixie Theatre at the Lewisburg courthouse square adds another historical dimension: the theater building was constructed in 1936. The gallery, exhibits and theater each offer a different focus—from making art yourself to exploring the history of a notable building.

Hiking, River Activities and Experiences for Children

Henry Horton State Park lies south of Chapel Hill on the banks of the Duck River. Its 20 miles of trails are designated for hikers of all experience levels. The river also offers opportunities for kayaking, tubing and fishing. This gives you a choice of different options for active days, from hiking to activities on the water.

KidsVille is an interactive indoor playground for children aged six months to 12 years. Its features include several slides, a mini Ninja Warrior zone, a ball-play area, tunnels and a mini zip line. Pickers Creek Winery offers a different kind of outing: the visitor experience combines wine and cheese with an art gallery and a walk through the vineyards. The “Music on the Porch” series is scheduled for Saturday evenings from April 1 to October 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. Check the specific dates before making plans.

When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, you can start by considering which experiences you want to shape your trip: museum and art visits, hiking trails and river activities, or an indoor option for children. The choices listed offer different possibilities rather than prescribing a single kind of vacation. Compare your accommodation’s location with the destinations that matter most to you, and choose a suitable base for your plans.

Discover Another Destination

You can also discover Cornersville as a destination in its own right.

Discover more destinations: Henderson County, Bedford County, Monroe County, Hardeman County, Washington County, Franklin County, Humphreys.

Return to the main travel overview: Tennessee.