Hiking at Meadow Park
6. Trails of Meadow Park
As you hike these trails you will enjoy a wide variety of terrain and geographical features. We hope these trails take you places that you would not normally go and that you have positive experiences along the way. We hope you enjoy hiking these trails but please stay on the trail when hiking and respect private property in residential communities. Carry plenty of water at all times, use bug-spray and watch your step – it is easy to twist an ankle on rocks and tree roots. Pets are permitted on (nearly) all trails but please pick up after your dog if it fouls the trail-bed.
Table of Contents
6.1 Soldier’s Beach, 1.7 miles, Easy
6.2 North Trail, 2.5 miles, Easy
Static PDF Map
6.1 Soldier's Beach Trail
- Hiking Distance: 1.7 miles
- Trail Length: 1.7 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.899123, -85.088388
Description
It is recommended that you follow the signs and hike this 1.7-mile trail in a counter-clockwise direction. It is a very pretty trail with not many uphill sections to be negotiated and many views across the lake. The trail does pass close to the lakeshore so children do need to be supervised.
Note: This is called Soldier’s Beach Trail because, during World War 2, German Prisoners of War from a camp in Crossville were used to build a recreational facility here for US Soldier’s families. Although it does not mention Soldier’s Beach you can learn more about the POW camp in this magazine article.
Driving Directions
To get to Meadow Park take Lantana Road, Highway 101, south out of Crossville. After about 3.5 miles, go straight through the lights where Highway 282 turns off for Lake Tansi. The road narrows from four lanes down to two lanes. After another mile turn right on to City Lake Road. There is a large Meadow Park sign on the corner. The trail-head parking is about half a mile on the left but you might want to follow City Lake Road to where it dead-ends at the park marina and office. Enjoy the views across the lake, and maybe use the restrooms at the campsite. Feel free to stop in the office and say “Hi” to the park manager, then drive back up the entrance road 0.6 miles to the trail-head parking lot which will now be on the right hand side of the road.
6.2 North Trail
- Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles
- Trail Length 2.3 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.899123, -85.088388
Description
This trail was completed in August 2024. The trail-head is the Soldier’s Beach parking lot. Cross the road and follow the sign entering into woods. After 0.3 miles the trail splits. This is the start of the loop so you can go either clockwise or counterclockwise around the loop.
Driving Directions
To get to Meadow Park take Lantana Road, Highway 101, south out of Crossville. After about 3.5 miles, go straight through the lights where Highway 282 turns off for Lake Tansi. The road narrows from four lanes down to two lanes. After another mile turn right on to City Lake Road. There is a large Meadow Park sign on the corner. The trail-head parking is about half a mile on the left but you might want to follow City Lake Road to where it dead-ends at the park marina and office. Enjoy the views across the lake, and maybe use the restrooms at the campsite. Feel free to stop in the office and say “Hi” to the park manager, then drive back up the entrance road 0.6 miles to the trail-head parking lot which will now be on the right hand side of the r
