Visitor's Center

First Time at Radnor? Make This Your First Stop.

Opened in 1991, the Walter Criley Visitor Center provides trail maps, brochures, birding checklists, and display cases with information ranging from the cultural history of the natural area to the birds, mammals, and reptiles of the surrounding ecosystem. This facility also houses the gift shop and the park offices and is the primary facility in which most of the ranger-led environmental education programs are conducted for park visitors.

Audio Visual Room

The Audio Visual Room is set aside for the viewing of films on the natural area, interpretive programs by the park ranger staff, Friends of Radnor Lake events, ranger training, and green group meetings on Thursday nights each week. This room is not available for rent at any time during daytime hours.

Renovations for the building were completed thanks to funding from the State of Tennessee, the Barbara J. Mapp Foundation, and Friends of Radnor Lake on June 16th, 2015.

Hours of Operation:

Restrooms and Audio Visual Room: 7:00 am until dark

Radnor Lake Gift Shop: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (closed for lunch from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm) Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Walter Criley Visitor Center and Radnor Lake Gift Shop can be accessed by car from the West lot/Granny White Pike entrance.

Address:

1160 Otter Creek Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37220

Walter Criley (1931-1985)

Director of Planning and Development for Tennessee State Parks from 1964 to 1985, Walter Criley oversaw and developed comprehensive plans for Tennessee’s outdoor recreation system which were responsible for acquiring one-third of the state’s parklands, totaling more than 40,000 acres. Through his administration of the Land and Water Conservation Funds Program, the purchase of Radnor Lake State Natural Area was made possible in 1973.