Best Nature Spots In Memphis
Memphis pairs its music-and-history reputation with a handful of genuine green spaces, from a massive urban park to formal gardens. Here’s where to find quiet away from downtown.
Shelby Farms Park
At 4,500 acres in East Memphis, Shelby Farms is one of the largest urban parks in the country, with more than 40 miles of trails, open water, and enough space that it never feels crowded even on a busy weekend.
Overton Park
Overton Park in Midtown is smaller and easier to combine with a downtown day, offering walking paths and picnic areas a short drive or rideshare from Beale Street. It’s also home to the Memphis Zoo, though it’s worth knowing upfront that the zoo has had no giant pandas since 2023, so don’t build a visit around them.
Memphis Botanic Garden and Dixon Gallery & Gardens
These two sit directly across from each other in East Memphis, making them easy to pair in one outing. The Memphis Botanic Garden focuses on cultivated plant collections and themed garden spaces, while Dixon Gallery & Gardens combines an art museum with its own formal gardens outside. Either works as a slower-paced counterpoint to a day of sightseeing.
Big River Crossing
A free pedestrian and bike bridge, roughly 1 mile, carrying you from downtown Memphis across the Mississippi River into West Memphis, Arkansas. The river views alone make it worth the walk, and it costs nothing.
A status check: Mud Island River Park
Mud Island River Park is currently in redevelopment limbo. Its monorail has been closed since 2018, and a planned relaunch was postponed after water damage, so don’t plan a visit around it as though it were a normal open attraction; check its current status directly before adding it to an itinerary.
When to visit
April through early June and mid-September through early November are the best windows, avoiding both summer humidity, frequently above 90°F, and spring’s real tornado and severe-storm risk.
Where this fits in a longer trip
These spots work best once the city’s core music and civil rights sights are covered. See our 4-day itinerary for where Shelby Farms and Midtown slot in, or the hiking areas guide if trails specifically are the goal.