Cedars of Lebanon State Park sits in a rare cedar glade ecosystem on limestone terrain about 30 miles east of Nashville. The campground offers full hookups (20/30/50 amp), hot showers, and a camp store, with eight miles of trails winding through ancient eastern red cedar forest and karst formations. Staff consistently earn praise for being helpful and friendly, though bathhouse quality varies and some sites run small.
Campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with utility hookups; the park also offers cabins/lodging and a group lodge for gatherings.
Historical Significance
The park takes its name from the eastern red cedars that early settlers compared to the biblical Cedars of Lebanon. A small church on the grounds still holds Sunday services. The park's rustic lodge hosts weddings and community gatherings, serving as a venue for local events beyond camping.Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions. October brings crisp mornings in the low 40s to mid-50s and daytime highs around 60–75°F, with the cedar glades taking on a golden cast as grasses dry. Humidity drops, mosquitoes disappear, and trails stay firm underfoot. Migratory birds pass through in higher numbers, and the cooler air makes the eight-mile trail network far more pleasant than summer heat. Weekends still draw families, but weekday crowds thin considerably. Winter stays open and quiet, though amenities may run on reduced schedules.
Natural Features and SceneryThe park protects 900 acres of limestone cedar glade, a globally rare ecosystem where eastern red cedars grow over porous karst bedrock. The trail system passes sinkholes, small caves, and rock gardens carved by water through the underlying limestone. The forest canopy provides shade along most paths, and the unique geology creates pockets of open glade vegetation between cedar stands. At 679 feet elevation, the terrain rolls gently with exposed limestone outcrops scattered throughout.
Geological RegionCedar glades and limestone outcrops (limestone/cedar glade landscape noted by visitors).
Scenic ViewsForested landscapes and scenic trail views through cedar groves, rock outcrops and natural features.